Zz8. [ 2495 ]
T O R T U L A ericetorum.
Curling Meath Screw-moss.
CRYPTOGAMIA Musci.
G e n . C h a r . Fringe simple, o f numerous capillary
teeth , spirally and repeatedly twisted together.
S p e c . C h a r . Stem branched. Leaves lanceolate,
acute, twisted when d r y ; the uppermost stellated.
Capsule cylindrical, slightly ovate.
S y n . Tortula ericetorum. Sm. FI. Brit, 12 5 8 .
Bryum ericetorum. Dicks. Crypt, fasc , 2 . 5 . With.
8 2 6 . Hull. 2 6 1 .
B . ruralis facie, foliis minoribus ef non pilosis. Dill.
Muse. 3 5 4. t. Ab.f. 13.
F o u n d on turfy heaths in Scotland by Mr. Dickson, from
whose specimens we have delineated it, The stems are branched,
upright, tufted. Leaves crowded, spreading, lanceolate, narrow,
concave, entire, acute, with a strong, pale or yellowish, nerve,
but no extended point or hair; when dry they curl and bend
inwards. The uppermost are drawn by Dillenius much mors
large and spreading than we have found them in Mr. Dickson’s
plant, or in his own at Oxford. Fruitstalk scarcely an inch
high, brownish red, terminal, though the branch is often subsequently
extended above its insertion. Capsule erect, cylindrical
inclining to ovate, abrupt, brown, shining and very smooth,
Fringe very brittle. We know nothing of the lid or veil.
Dillenius had this moss from Patagonia, nor did he know of it
as a native of Europe j yet we find no reason to doubt his synonym,