T 0 R T U L A brevifolia.
Short-leaved Screw-moss.
CRYPTOGAMIA Musci.
G en. C har. Fringe sim p le , o f n um e ro u s c a p illa rv
t e e th , sp ira lly a n d r e p e a te d ly tw is te d to g e th e r .
S pec. Char. S tem s im p le o r b r a n c h e d . L e av e s oVato-
la n c e o la te , k e e le d , re v o lu te . F ru its ta lk s la te ra l.
C a p su le c y lin d r ic a l.
S vn. T o r tu l a b re v ifo lia . Sm. FI. B rit. 125Q Winch
v. 2. 2 2 .
B r y u m b re v ifo lium . Dicks. Cryp t.fuse . 2. 4 . H Sicc
fa s c . 11. 19, With. 8 3 1 . Hull. 262.
B . p a lu s tr e b re v ifo lium , c a p su lis n ig r ic a n tib u s .
D ill. Muse. 377. t. 47. f . 39.
B . ti ic h o id e s, e re c tis c a p itu lis fu s c o -n ig ris. Dill,
in R a ii Syn. 96.
T h is moss, which few botanists have observed, was originally
found m Yorkshire by Dr. Richardson, and subsequently in Scotland
by Mr. Dickson. It is a native of mountain bogs. Our present
specimen we' owe to the favour of Mr. Winch, who found the
plant in bogs on the moors near Blanchland, in Northumberland
and Durham.
Its general hue is dark, like most water mosses. The stems
are about,an inch high/ simple or branched, growing in dneven
tufts. Leaves when young pale green, but soon turning brownish.
Their shape is lanceolate with an ovate broad base ; rather
acute, but not awned, at the point; the edges entire, strongly
revolute; and there is a strong, prominent, reddish central rib,
besides two small lateral ones. When dry the leaves become close-
pressed, or slightly incurved. The fruitstalks are lateral, solitary
on each stem or branch, an inch high, red brown, blackish
when old. Capsule erect, cylindrical, smobth and even, dark
brown, in some measure ovate at the base. Fringe slender, of a
rather light, reddish brown, not crimson.