/ 3 6>.
[ 1258 ]
G R I M M IA verticillata.
IVhorled Grimmia.
CRYPTOGAMIA Mind.
G e n . C h a r . Fringe simple, o f 16 teeth, broadest at
their base. Flowers terminal. Veil cylindrical.
S p e c . C h a r . Leaves linear-lanceolate, acute, fasciculate
as if whorled. Capsule ovate, truncate. Lid
awl-shaped, curved.
S y n . Grimmia verticillata. Sm. FI. Brit. 1191.
Bryum verticillatum. Linn. Sp. PI. 1585. Huds. 485.
With. 821. Hull. 259.
B. fasciculatum. Dicks. Crypt.fase. 3. 3. With. 828.
Hull. 261.
B . pilosum verticillatum. Dill. Muse. 374. t. 4 7 ./. 35.
B. trichoides brevifolium, angustis cauliculis, capitulis
erectis parvis et minus aduncis. Dill, in Raii Syn. 98.
CDu R specimens of this rare and much-controverted moss,
which appears to be scarcely known to botanists out of Briton,
were gathered by Mr. Turner on rocks by the sea near
Bangor, where Brewer formerly, and the Rev* H. Davies in
later days, have observed it. Its natural situation is in springs
on a calcareous soil, the water often encrusting it with the
earth which it deposits in running. The lateMr. Davall found
the same in Switzerland.
The stems form dense tufts, an inch or two high, and are
branched, erect and leafy. Leaves imbricated, rather spread-
lnS’ fasciculate, or interrupted here and there, so as to look
whorled, which they very imperfectly are in fact: they are
lmear-lanceolate, entire, single-ribbed, beardless, of a pleasant
light green, often a little glaucous. Fruit-stalks solitary,
soon becoming lateral, erect, twisted by drying. Capsule
erect, sjnall, ovate, short, wide-mouthed, polished, reddish-
brown. Fringe red, decumbent in drying. Lid conical, tapering,
curved, shorter than the capsule.
There is great difficulty in knowing this from Gymnostfymum
curvirostrum of Hedwig and FI. Brit, which exactly resembles
it in habit, place of growth, calcareous incrustation, and colour,
but differs essentially in the want of a fringe, as well as
in having a longer lid.