MOSSES IN EUROPE, AND THEIR ASPECTS IN NATURE. 35 



beech, willow, and larch bearing the greatest number of tenants, 

 among which the species of Orthotrichum hold the first place, s6me, 

 indeed, being confined to a single kind of tree. We have also 

 Cryphoea, Leucodon, Zygodon, several sp., Tortula Icevipila and 

 latifolia, Leskea pulvinata, Habrodon Notarisii, Neckera sp., with 

 many others. 



The lower part of the trunks and stocks are also often coated 

 with a beautiful mat composed of creeping interwoven stems, the 

 most frequent being Stereodon cupressiformis, Amblystegium serpens 

 and Anomodon viticulosus. 



The only other group impressing a marked feature on the 

 locality it occupies is the Paludal, comprising the species living in 

 bogs and marshes, foremost among which are the Sphagnaceas, 

 which in northern regions cover vast areas with their pale green 

 masses. Besides these, we have also Polytrichum commune, Aula- 

 comnium palustre, Meesia, Mniurn punctatum, subglobosum and 

 cinclidioides, Hyp. fluitans, and others of the aduncum group, with 

 cuspidatum, nitens, stramineum and cordifolium. 



In illustration of some of these aspects, I place before you sheets 

 of specimens, in some cases with the flowering plants also with 

 which they were associated, the last labour of one now no more,* 

 who thus attempted to work out the idea of representing the flora 

 of each locality at a glance. 



In this sphagnum tuft you notice the dense aggregation of indi- 

 viduals, to the exclusion of all other forms, which, with its loose 

 cellular texture, give it that spongy character so treacherous to all 

 who venture on it. 



Here are sheets from the Gap of Dunloe, with the wild Saxifraga 

 umbrosa, or London Pride, and from Killarney, rich with Hooheria 

 Icetevirens, and Hymenophyllum, associated with the fine Hepaticas, 

 Hygrophila irrigua, Physiotium cochleariforme and Triclwcolea 

 tomentella. 



Others exhibit the mosses and lichens from sandstone rocks 

 in Bridge Park, and these beautiful specimens from our friend 

 Mrs. C. F. White, are products of the commons about Virginia 

 Water. The Alpine species are represented by collections from 

 Ben Voirlich and Ben Lawers, the latter one of our richest 

 localities. 



But especially I would call your attention to the universal asso- 



*N. B.Ward, Esq. 



