40 
Alosses. 
LTHOUGH Mosses are among the minute and seemingly in- 
significant of Nature’s works, they, in common with other 
cryptogamic forms of vegetation, deserve a share of attention even 
from those who may not make them objects of scientific study. 
The moss growing upon the wall-top is looked on by many with 
an eye of indifference, if not of contempt; but to those who will 
take the trouble to examine its structure, it affords a source of 
infinite admiration. We presume that none of our readers, in this 
enlightened age, think that because objects are small, they are on 
that account unworthy of investigation: otherwise, as has been 
remarked, ‘‘ The horse is superior to its rider,”’ and one of old— 
Solomon, the wise king of Israel, has set us an example in this 
very particular, by being conversant with the ‘‘Hyssop” on the 
wall, which by Hassalquist is regarded as a minute Moss, still 
found on the walls of Jerusalem. 
Mosses are no less numerous and varied than beautiful; they 
abound all over the kingdom, and some may be found at all 
seasons of the year; affording in our daily walks a fund of in- 
struction and pleasant amusement. Let our readers then not be 
satisfied with the perusal of these brief remarks, but let them at 
once proceed in their rural walks to collect these objects of study, 
which may be examined at home by the aid of a good pocket-lens, 
a penknife, and a pair of scissors. The chalk hills and cliffs of 
our own beautiful Buckinghamshire abound in mosses: they are 
to be found on tree, rock, and stone, in damp places, by the side 
of brooks and rills; indeed, they are so numerous that it has been 
calculated that one-fourth of thevegetable kingdom is composed of 
them. In addition to the pleasing recreation afforded by the 
study of these interesting objects of creation, the soul may also be 
led to look from nature up to nature’s God! 
Neu Arry. 
