154 HISTOllY OF BRITISH MOSSES, 



Crevices of rocks and damp spots^ near the summits of 

 our loftiest mountains, Ben More, Ben Nevis, Ben Lawers, 

 and more frequently on tlie Clova range in Scotland ; sum- 

 mit of Snowdon. Tr. Autumn. Prom the localities re- 

 corded, it will be seen that this is a strictly alpine Moss, 

 whose delicate leaves and frail capsules seem scarcely fitted 

 to resist a passing breeze. Yet there, on these mountain 

 solitudes, they stand unscathed, yea fostered and matured, 

 by the 



"AiTOwy sleet, 

 Skin-piercing volley, blossom-bruising bail." 



This species is so like IFeissia acuta in appearance, that 

 it was mistaken for it in the first edition of the ' Muscologia 

 Britanuica.' It is found on the Norwegian and other Alps 

 of Northern Europe. 



TORTULA, Hedw. (Screw Moss.) 



Named so by Hedwig, on account of the curiously " tor- 

 tuous," or " twisted " peristome. This name having been 

 applied to a genus of flowering-plants, Hedwig changed the 

 name to Barbula, which is still adopted by many foreign 

 Muscologists. 



