78 R. BRAITHWAITE ON UTILISING OUR EXCURSIONS. 



Might I also venture to point out that there are many fields yet 

 but partially explored, to which some of our members may profitably 

 turn attention. The great class insecta yields endless material for 

 microscoiDic investigation, in the minute parts of their general 

 anatomy and their organs of manducation, respiration, and repro- 

 duction. The whole section Acarida is a sealed book to the bulk of 

 British Natural History students, while the curious group of 

 Thysanura is only just awaking interest here, for Sir J. Lubbock 

 states that while 117 species are known on the Continent, scarce 

 one-third of these are recorded as British. In this department, at 

 least, I am pleased to find we have an active and intelligent 

 worker. Many of the small algte, too, yet aAvait investigation, but 

 above all, faithful delineation, and I trust we shall soon see Mr. 

 Draper's suggestion acted on — viz., the collection of a series of 

 drawings. 



I regret that I have not time to study more than one department 

 of Natural History, but having selected my hobby, and that precept 

 may not lack example, I beg to lay before you the specimens of 

 mosses collected on the excursions, hoping that they may be deemed 

 of sufficient interest to find a place in the library of the Club, and 

 to say that so far as opportunity permits, I hope to continue them 

 by series from each locality we visit, so that eventually the Bryo- 

 logical flora of the metropolitan area may be represented by the 

 individuals themselves. 



And what do these specimens rej^resent ? Not simply so much 

 vegetable tissue, but the actual physical conditions under which 

 they were produced ; for the experienced observer may decide at 

 once by the examination of a suite of specimens, the nature of the 

 soil, the relative humidity of the season or locality, and often the 

 very altitude at which they were collected. What do these barren 

 and stunted Hypna and Polytricha indicate but that the conditions 

 necessary to their perfect development are wanting ?— that the 

 water and depth of soil they require are at a minimum, and that with 

 the disappearance of the bog they also will cease to exist. Yet, 

 that many retain their stations for a long period, may be seen by 

 these specimens of Hypnum. stramineum, still growing in the locality 

 recorded by Dillenius 130 years ago. When with these are con- 

 trasted specimens from other stations not yet visited, the col- 

 lection will not be found devoid of interest, or at least 

 it may call to mind many pleasant hours spent in hunting out the 



