L 



234 HISTORY OP BRITISH MOSSES. 



Moss.) Leaves nerveless, broadly ovatej complicato-carinate. 

 — Eng. Fl.p. 73. Pilotrichum ha., Miill. Syn. pt. I.p. 148. 



On rocks and stones in rivers and streams, less frequently 

 in stagnant waters, common. Fr. Summer. The dark lurid 

 green of the leaves and stem of this Moss, which often ex- 

 ceeds a foot in length, are so easily detected, that we need 

 not give any lengthened description of the plant. Its 

 broadly ovate, plaited and imbricated leaves are arranged in 

 a trifarious or three-rowed manner. Those of the perichse- 

 tium are larger. 



Its specific name, antipyretica, is in allusion to the pur- 

 pose to which it is applied by the peasantry of Sweden, who, 

 according to the account given by Linnaeus, fill up the 

 spaces between the chimney and wall of their houses, thus 

 excluding the air and preventing the action of fire. 



2. ToNTiNALis SQUARROSA, Linn. {Alpine Water IIoss.) 

 Leaves nerveless, lanceolate, acuminate, plane. — Eng. FL 

 p. 73. Pilotrichum s., Milll. Syn.pt. ^. p. 149. 



In similar situations with the last, but chiefly confined to 

 alpine districts. Fr. Summer. The smaller size, and plane 

 instead of complicate leaves, seem the chief marks of dis- 

 tinction between this and the preceding species. 



Foniinalis capillacea, described as a British species, and 



