SOME RARE MOSSES IN WESTMORLAND. 



C. H. BINSTEAD, B.A., 

 BrooJii Close, Kev.dal. 



It has been my good fortune, within the last twelve months, to 

 discover several rare mosses in Westmorland, which are new to 

 the county and the Lake District generally. I trust that a short 

 account of them will be of interest to the botanical readers of the 

 ' Naturalist' 



Grimmia anodon B. & S. A very small patch of this moss was 

 found, last May, near Kendal. It was growing on a railway 

 bridge. The bridge in question is built of large blocks of lime- 

 stone, and it was on one — and one only — of these blocks that it 

 grew. Small as was the patch of the moss, it had, nevertheless, 

 abundant and perfect fruit. It is curious that this species should 

 never have been found before in a neighbourhood where there is 

 so much exposed Hmestone rock. 



Grimmia commutata Hiibn. This was found in Januar}^ of this year, 

 growing upon a large rock "at Rydal Lake, and forming exten- 

 patches of a bluish-green colour. I have observed this moss 

 growing in plenty in Norway, and there, as at Rydal, it seems 

 to prefer large rocks which are liable to be at times submerged. 



Grimmia anomala Hampe. This occurs in several places in the 

 Lake District, being somewhat plentiful around Kendal and 

 Windermere. It has also been noticed at Grasmere, and in 

 other places in the neighbourhood. In habit and general aspect 

 this species greatly resembles Gru/nnia hartjfia?ii, with which it 

 has doubtless been confused. It is most improbable that, had 

 not such been the case, a moss which is by no means uncommon 

 should have, been so long overlooked in a well-worked country. 

 It is, however, only in wet weather that the characteristic gemmae 

 are conspicuous, and then, to a botanical eye, they afford an 

 easy means of distinguishing this Grimmia from other species. 

 Grimmia hart?7iani, moreover, is by no means common in the 

 Lake District. 



We are indebted to the acuteness of Jvlr. Boswell for the 

 identification of this species with Grimmia anomala Hampe. 

 A description will be found in Schimper's 'Synopsis INI. Eur.,' 

 Ed. ii, p. 270. 



Bryum miihlenbeckii B. & S. This moss was found last July in the 

 Longsleddale A'alley. It was growing on a wet rock. The 



March 1887. F 



