BOTANY 



heathlands of the northern portion of the county ; the high state of culti- 

 vation that exists throughout the larger portion of its area ; the influence 

 of the smoky surroundings of the northern and eastern portions, an influ- 

 ence most fatal to the healthy growth of both mosses and lichens, and 

 prevailing over a wider area than would probably be supposed ; all these 

 are influences that tend to make the existence of many of our mosses an 

 impossibility. Still, there are localities in the county in which there are 

 remains of a former rich moss flora ; such, for instance, as the peaty 

 heathlands near Hartlebury. Here are found Sphagnum tenellum, S. 

 subsecundum and species of Campylopus and Dicranum. Again by large 

 marshy pools such as Stanklin Pool, near Kidderminster, are to be found 

 Climacium dendroides, Hypnum cordtfolium, H. giganteuni and other moisture- 

 loving species. Other interesting localities exist in the primitive wood- 

 lands of Wyre Forest, where the rapid streams are liable to flooding, 

 and have marshy moss-clad surroundings. Here are found Sphagnum 

 acutifolium and several of its varities, Philonotis fontana, Heterocladium 

 heteropterum, the beautiful Pterogophyllum lucens, several of the Harpidioid 

 hypna, the rare Weissia mucronata and Aulacomnium palustre ; and somewhat 

 remote from this, the very rare weird-looking Buxbaumia aphylla^ a 

 singular sporadic plant growing on the rotting trunks of old trees, 

 resembling at first glance some of the more minute fungi. The stem is 

 bulb-like, and covered with very small thread-like processes which are 

 the leaves. This is surmounted by a short fruit stalk, terminating in 

 an apophysis, and above it is the oblique reddish brown, saddle-like 

 capsule. South of the forest are outlying wild thickety woods, watered 

 by rapid streams, splashing over rocks and boulders, often through deep 

 ravines, worn out of the solid rocks, creating a degree of humidity rare 

 in Worcestershire woods. Here are found Tortula mutica, Orthotrichum 

 rivulare, Amblestegium varium, Hypnum palustre and Mnium rostratum ; and 

 on the marly banks Mnium stellare, Thuidium tamariscinum, rich in fruit, 

 dark tree-like masses of Porotrichum alopecurum, Hypnum Patientice, Fissidens 

 exilis, F. Lylei and its more robust congener F. decipiens, whilst on the 

 overhanging branches are tufts of Ulota crispa, U. crispa var. intermedia^ 

 Orthotrichum leiocarpum and 0. Lyellii. 



Watering the western portion of the county is the Teme, which 

 near Stockton-on-Teme is a rapid stream, full of charm for the botanist, 

 overhung with willow and alder, upon whose river-washed roots is the 

 alluvial mud of years, forming a matrix most congenial to moss life. 

 Trailing from these roots are the long feathery stems of Hypnum riparium 

 var. longifolium, Brachythecium rivulare and Hypnum palustre var. hamu- 

 losum, whilst on the upper portions of the roots are Brachythecium 

 ccespitosum, Mnium punctatum, Orthotrichum affine var. rivale, and Cinclidotus 

 Brebissoni. Other gorge-like streams, such as that of North Wood, near 

 Bewdley, where is found the very rare Heterocladium heteropterum var. 

 fallax and Hypnum palustre var. sub sphcerocarpon, are worthy of record. 

 The bare surface of some of the isolated rocks of the county are worthy 

 of attention, such as Blackstone Rock near Bewdley, a precipitous rock, 



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