REVIEWS. 17 



tiny members of the A'^egetable kingdom; for the first series of Mr. Gardiner's 

 lessons has already run through three editions^ and we learn that there is 

 every chance of the second series following the same satisfactory course. The 

 attention of cultivators has likewise been attracted to the Mosses within the 

 last year or two; and, assuredly, no one has seen a healthy greenhouse collection of 

 these plants without admiration. The rich verdure of their beautiful tufts, varie- 

 gated with their curious little capsules, small in size in some cases, but numerous 

 in proportion, presents a most pleasing appearance, and at once arouses the 

 curiosity of the observer to obtain some farther acf^uaintance with the history 

 of this interesting family of vegetable beings. The exertions of the gardener 

 in the cultivation of the Mosses are likely to prove advantageous to science, in 

 throwing some new light on the economy of these obscure plants. It is remarked 

 by a writer on this subject, that "by carefully watching the evolution of the 

 various organs of particular individuals throughout the entire period of their 

 existence, many important facts may be brought to light tending to elucidate 

 some of the obscure points of muscological science, and calculated, in an especial 

 manner, to give us more accurate views concerning these plants, and much new 

 information concerning their general history, structm-e, and habits."* It therefore 

 gives us much gratification to bring this subject before the notice of the readers 

 of the "Naturalist," in the hope that sonic of them may be induced at this 

 favourable season of the year, to undertake the culture of a few of the more 

 interesting Mosses. 



The two works of Mr. Gardiner now before us, are chiefly directed to the 

 younger portion of the community, in the hope of encouraging a taste for 

 botanical purs-uits, in the rising generation, and calling their attention to the 

 minute and common things of creation, which are so often passed by unknown, 

 and despised, for very want of knowledge. Mr. Gardiner is, himself, a most 

 ardent admirer of these beautiful little plants, and his enthusiasm is continually 

 fed by an aimual visit to the native haunts of the more interesting species, 

 on the Clova mountains. He is therefore peculiarly well qualified for writing 

 on such a subject, and his familiar and enticing style, so well exhibited in 

 a more scientific work, the "Flora of Forfarshire," cannot fail to secure an 

 attentive reader in every one who takes his little books in hand. In illustration 

 of the way in which the subject is handled, we cannot do better than treat 

 our readers to Lesson First of the first series: — 



"My De.vr Youxg Headeiis, 



" You have, doubtless, in some of jour rural walks, noticed the 



little flosses, that, in the beautiful woods, cover the ground with a fresh green carpet, and adoni 

 the tops of old walls with theii- lovely verdure. But, perhaps, jou have not examined them 

 attentively, nor are aware that there are so nuuiy kinds of them, all differuig from one another 

 in the structure of their various pails. It shall be my object, in these lessons, to lead you to a 

 better acquaintance with them. 



Possibly you may have often passed them by with little more than a heedless glance, tliinking 

 that because there were plenty of bright-coloured flowers, and stately trees around, to delight your 



* G. Lawson, in Gardeners' Magazine of Botany, vol. 1. 

 VOL. I. D 



