CRYPTOGAMIA MUSCI. 43 



stems collected from bogs. When well combed and dressed, 

 says Mr WHITE, in his Natural History of Selborne, 

 " and divested of its outer skin, it becomes of a beautiful 

 bright chesnut colour ; and, being soft and pliant, is very 

 proper for the dusting of beds, curtains, carpets, hangings, 

 &c. If these besoms were known to the brush-makers in 

 town, it is probable they might come much in use for the 

 purpose above mentioned." To the Laplanders its services 

 are greater, for it affords them " bed and bedding." They 

 choose the starry -headed plants, out of the tufts of which 

 they cut a surface as large as they please for a bed or bol- 

 ster, separating it from the earth beneath ; and although 

 the shoots are scarcely branched, they are nevertheless so 

 entangled at the roots as not to be separable from each 

 other. This mossy cushion is very soft and elastic, not 

 growing hard by pressure ; and if a similar portion of it be 

 made to serve as a coverlet, nothing can be more warm 

 and comfortable. ' Mollissimus est hie lectus cujus stra- 

 gula undique ambiunt corpus et ad illud sese ubique appli- 

 cant ; calidissimus deinde est, ut virentis vegetabilis grati 

 odoris, nee pediculos, pulices, cimices, scabiem, luem, auud- 

 que contagium innocenti corpori adfert, nee plumulis un- 

 dique obvolitantibus irresolubilibusque, cum inspiratione, 

 pulmones infarcit phthisinque generat, sed lassum corpus 

 molli grataque requie reficit.' I have often, continues 

 LINNAEUS, made use of it with admiration; and if any 

 writer had published a description of the simple contrivance, 

 which necessity has taught the Laplanders, I could almost 

 imagine that our counterpanes were but an imitation of it. 

 They fold this bed together, tying it up into a roll that 

 may be grasped by a man's arms, which if necessary, they 

 carry with them to the place where they mean to sleep 

 the night following. If it becomes too dry and compressed, 

 its former elasticity is restored by a little moisture.*' 



2. P. piliferum, stem simple, short ; leaves rigid, awl-shaped, en- 

 tire, pointed with a pellucid hair ; capsule obtusely quadrangular, 

 with an apophysis ; lid with a curved point. 



Hob. On earth-capt dikes and heaths, frequent. April. 



3. P. juniperinum, stem simple ; leaves rigid, awl-shaped, with 

 entire involute margins, apex slightly serrate ; capsule quadran- 

 gular, with a depressed apophysis: lid with a short conical point. 



Hab. On dry heaths. Near Ord- Wheel, Berwickshire, &c* 

 Spring. 



