521 



MICROSCOPICAL METHODS IN BRYOLOGICAL WORK. 



By G. T. Harris. 



{Read March 23rd, 1915.) 



If any apology is needed for bringing before the Quekett 

 Microscopical Club a subject that may only be of interest to a 

 limited number of its members, I would find it in the fact that 

 some years ago the Club had in Dr. Braithwaite a president 

 whose supreme interest was bryological work. As long as 

 bryology interests and attracts scientific workers will Dr. Braith- 

 waite's name be held in honour, and his magnificent British 

 Moss Flora rank with the splendid natural history monographs 

 published during the nineteenth century. 



It is easy to understand that mosses do not appeal very 

 strongly to the microscopist per se, as the work to be done 

 amongst them is more or less systematic ; they offer no 

 problems of resolution (that I know of), their development is 

 quite well understood, and even an infatuated bryologist would 

 be reluctant to advise an excursion amongst them in search of 

 "display" objects. In spite of these drawbacks, however, it 

 would be difficult to find a class better adapted to the require- 

 ments of the microscopist desirous of confining himself to some 

 special group, and more especially to microscopists resident in 

 large cities. Mosses may be gathered when opportunity permits, 

 dried and stored for months, indeed years, and yet resume their 

 original appearance when moistened previous to examination. 

 Sufficient material for a whole winter's work can easily be 

 collected during the annual vacation, and it is unnecessary to go 

 to any particular district, unless of course special forms are 

 required. Even an orchard is favourable ground, especially 

 when the trees reach that desirable standard " old and crusted." 

 Winter is par excellence the moss season, they then practically take 

 over the country-side. There is no overgrowth of phanerogamous 

 plants to conceal their presence ; the hepatics may in some 

 districts set up a rival claim for notice, but as many bryologists 

 are also hepaticists this is not a disadvantage when collecting. 



Journ. Q. M. C, Series II. No. 76. 36 



