254 HISTORY OF BEITISH MOSSES. 



weather, its spreading branches may be found covering the 

 earth with their verdant shade. It is equally common 

 throughout Europe and Xorth America. There are several 

 varieties of it described, as it is a polymorphous species, 

 the most distinct o4 which seems to be camjiestre, with a 

 smoother footstalk, and slightly appeudiculate internal cilia. 

 It is found in dry situations. 



47. Hypnum velutinum, Linn. {Velvet Feather Moss.) 

 Stems variously branched ; leaves erecto-patent, ovate, often 

 approaching to lanceolate, acuminate, serrated, striated, the 

 nerve reaching half-way; capsule ovate, cernuous; seta 

 rough; lid conical. — Eng. FL 89; Milll. Si/n. 23t. 2.j9. 399. 



In woods and on hedgebanks, common. Tr. Spring. 

 This common moss is so nearly allied to the preceding spe- 

 cies, that Hooker, Wilson, and others, have doubted its 

 claims to rank as a species ; for " except in its smaller size, 

 somewhat narrower leaves, and their more upright direc- 

 tion," no good points of distinction can be found. Miiller 

 however retains it in his work, with three varieties, there- 

 fore we have thought it best to let it so remain. 



48. IIypnum RUsciFOLiUM, Neck. [Long-beaked JFater 

 Feather 3Ioss.) Stems variously branched ; leaves loosely 

 imbricated, subpatent, broadly acute, serrated, concave, the 



