Fontinalis

Fontinalis, a genus of Mosses, allied to Hypnum, but having the capsule in the bosom of the leaves, almost without stalk. Several species are British; one of which, the Greater Water-moss (F. antipyretica), growing upon rocks and roots of trees in brooks and ponds, is remarkable for the difficulty with which it dries, even when completely dried; on which account it is used in some parts of the north of Europe for lining chimneys to protect the adjacent woodwork from fire. Its shoots are a foot or more in length, and branched; they float in the water. The fruit is on the sides of the stems.