EXPLANATION OF THE PLATES. 141 



POLYTRICHUM. 



Generic Character. 



Capsule angular, with a round swelling at the base {apophysis) ; calyptra 

 thickly covered with hairs ; peristome of sixty-four or thirty-two teeth ; stems 

 very stout, with a subterranean rhizoma. 



This family of Mosses was the earliest noticed. As " plants without flowers " 

 the Polytrichums were noticed by Pliny, and by every succeeding botanist or 

 naturalist. The beautiful calyptra procured for them the name of " Golden 

 Maiden Hair " in every language, centuries before any other Moss received a 

 distinguishing appellation. The " Golden Maiden Hair" was anciently dedicated 

 to Venus ; in after years, when the worship of Mary succeeded to the worship of 

 Venus, the guardianship of the plant was transferred to her also, only one of many 

 instances of the " confounding of the new with the old superstition." In accord- 

 ance with the doctrine of signatures, it was believed that a wash made from 

 " Golden Maiden Hair " would " strengthen and beautify " ladies' tresses, and be 

 a true " auricomous fluid." The reader who may care to pursue farther the 

 subject of the virtues of " Maiden Hair" is referred to Cowley's poem of the 

 " Garden," where they are enumerated at great length. 



(a.) Capsule six-angled. 

 Fig. 9. Polytrichum sexangttlare. 

 Northern Hair Moss (a) . 



Colour. Dark green. 



Stems. Two inches long, nearly erect. 



Leaves (b) . Base very broad, lanceolate above, slightly toothed at the apex. 

 Floivers and Fruit. Seta very thick, capsule and calyptra small. Autumn. 

 Locality. Mountains in Scotland. 



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