TORTULA. 159 



Stems elongated; leaves ovato-oblongj keeled^ patent, re- 

 cui'ved, the nerve ending in a long point ; capsule cylindri- 

 cal, erect, slightly curved; lid subulate, lower haK of the 

 peristome tubular as far as the middle. — Bnrj. Fl. p. 45. 

 Barbula ruralis. Mull. 8pi.pt. \.p. 639. 



On walls, thatch roofs, and on the ground, frequent. Fr. 

 April. This is also a very common species, and many an 

 admirer of nature unacquainted with or uninterested in the 

 beautiful structure of its foliage and fruit, has gazed with 

 admiration on its bright green tufts mantling the humble 

 cottage roof, or cheering by their brilliancy the desert wild ; 

 for in some soils, such as are of a sandy nature for instance, 

 seem in winter to be entirely clothed with its tufts, and give 

 quite a character to the scenery during the autumn and 

 winter months. 



8. ToRTULA suBULATA, Hedw. {Awl-shapecl Screw Moss.) 

 Stems very short; leaves erecto-patent, oblongo-lanceolate, 

 apiculated, the margin plane; capsule cylindrical, erect, 

 slightly curved ; lid sub'alate; peristome tubular almost to 

 the extremity. — Eng. Fl. p. 45. Barbida subulata, 311111. 

 Syn.pt. l. p. 624. 



Growing on bare ground, on banks, wall-tops, etc. Fr. 

 December. A generally distributed species, and conspi- 



