238 HISTORY OP BRITISH MOSSES. 



purum, or " clean," given to it, is derived from the use 

 made of it by fishermen in cleaning their nets. It cer- 

 tainly claims the title equally from its shining purity, almost 

 rebuking the tread of the heedless passer-by. 



18. Hypnum piliferum, Schreb. {Kair -pointed Feather 

 Moss.) Leaves ovate, with a long narrow acumen, scarcely 

 serrated, the nerve disappearing below the middle ; capsule 

 cernuous; lid rostrate. — jE/i(/. FL p. 80; llillL Syn, pt. 2. 

 p. 369. 



On banks and shady woods. Fr. Winter and Spring. 



A species resembling Hypnum rutabulum in habit. From 

 this and other allied species it is distinguished by its ex- 

 actly ovate leaves, furnished with long slender points. It is 

 rare in fruit, in which state it has been found near Edin- 

 burgh, and in Cotteral Wood, Cheshire. 



19. Hypnum Scureberi, Willd. [Schreberian Feather 

 Moss.) Leaves closely imbricated, nearly erect, elhptical, 

 apiculate, concave, entire, faintly two-nerved at the base ; 

 capsule ovate, cernuous ; lid conical. — Eng. Fl.p. 80 ; Mull. 

 Syn. pt. 2. p. 384. 



In woods, among trees and bushes, frequent, but rare in 

 fruit. Fr. Winter and Spring. 



This species has been taken for a variety of Hypnum 



