WILD FLOWEKS OF DECEMBEE. 



CHAP. XXYIII. 



GLANCE AT THE BRUMAL ASPECT OF NATURE - - THE 

 MOSSES IN THEIR NUPTIAL HABILIMENTS SIMILE IN 

 RELATION TO THEM THEIR BOTANICAL CHARACTERS- 

 BEAUTIFUL ASPECT IN THE WANE OF THE YEAR POLY- 

 TRICHUM, AND OTHER FAMILIES THE SPHAGNA OR 

 BOG-MOSSES THEIR ECONOMICAL HISTORY AND DIS- 

 TRIBUTION. 



" When on the barn's thatch'd roof is seen 

 The Moss in tufts of liveliest green, 

 When Roger to the wood-pile goes, 

 And, as he turns, his fingers blows, 

 When all around is dark and drear, 

 Be sure that CHRISTMAS-TIDE is near." 



Christmas, a Masque for the Fireside 



" ankle deep in moss." 



COWPER. 



IF we felt disposed for a lounge upon the sofa at this 

 chill and vapoury season, instead of keeping a good 

 " look-out" to the end of the chapter, we might now 

 abruptly drop the curtain upon all further research^ 

 by exclaiming with THOMSON 



" How dead the vegetable kingdom lies." 



But though poets, with a superficial glance, may make- 

 such an exclamation, the botanist can by no means 

 allow the strict application of such language to be 



