TEKXS AND 310SSES. 61 
fullest development, growing from eight to twelve inches 
long, and producing thecse in the greatest profusion. The 
same species also affects the trunks of beeches in woods ; it 
may be found on stumps in Enfield Forest near Southgate, 
and in Yorkshire ; on large stones scattered over the 
Marlborough Downs in Wiltshire, and on. the heights of 
Snowdon. 
Those who go in search of the Pendulous Feather-moss 
among the blasted oaks of Dartmoor will do well to remem- 
ber, that though wearied with the toil of climbing the rocky 
path that leads to "Wistman's "Wood, they may not sit down 
to rest on the immense masses of granite around and beneath 
the trees, cushioned though they be with the thickest and 
softest moss, lest they should disturb a nest of adders. Of 
this an old man warned us who served as a guide across the 
moor. "When thinking of the awful rites that were carried 
on by Druids among the groves of Dartmoor, when Baal and 
Ashtaroth were propitiated at early dawn, we could not help 
imagining that somewhat of the curse denounced on such 
unhallowed places rested on the site of the old oaks. " Ser- 
pents hiss there the shepherd does not make his fold there, 
and the bittern screams amid its desolation." This was 
literally true. Nothing could exceed its sterile aspect, not 
a moving object met the eye no sound was heard except 
the rushing of waters and the cry of a solitary bittern flyir g 
towards the valley of the Dart. 
June Wth. Sought for some time the Hypnum bryoides, 
or Bryum-like Feather-moss, which grows mostly in shady 
places, woods, and ditch-banks. Found at length a small 
brotherhood on the margin of a stream, which having for- 
saken its usual channel in consequence of a pebbly accumu- 
lation that hindered its onward progress, wasted itself upon 
the grass. 
This kind of hypnum is very small, but distinguished by 
its capsules, edged at the mouth with a deep red fringe. 
Linnoous speaks of it as the smallest of the genus. The 
