222 
HISTORY OF BRITISH FERNS 
own length. They are commonly produced in pairs, though 
sometimes singly, and occasionally three together on the 
same stalk. These spikes are cylindrical, and supported 
on a short pedicel at the top of the common stalk ; they 
are erect, but afterwards become more or less curved; and 
consist of crowded triangular-ovate acuminate bracts, of a 
pale-yellow colour, having membranous serrated margins. 
In the axils of these bracts the spore-cases are produced, 
and these are subreniform, two-valved, and filled with 
innumerable sulphur-coloured powdery spores. The bracts 
become reflexed after the spore-cases have shed their 
contents. 
This is a common species, growing in moors and heathy 
places, in mountainous and hilly tracts of country through¬ 
out England, Wales, and Scotland; and frequent, though 
less abundant, in Ireland. 
The leafy stems of this species are used for dyeing pur¬ 
poses, as well as to fix colours in the stead of alum. The 
long slender stems, used under the name of Stags-horn 
Moss, are formed into pretty ornaments for the houses of 
rustics, and for decorating their fireplaces during summer. 
Linnaeus relates that in Lapland the boys have their heads 
decorated with chaplets formed of it, which—the twin 
