•THEAlOmCOpE- 



Vol. XI. 



TRENTON, N. J., MAY, 1891, 



No. 5. 



ORIGIIiAL 

 COAnVMICATPIiS 



THE MICROSCOPE AMONG THE MOSSES. 



S. W. COCHRAN. 



THE mosses, though not so frequently studied by amateurs 

 in botany as the more conspicuous flowering plants, are 

 yet wonderfully interesting, and will well repay in interest and 

 instruction any labor which the student may bestow upon them. 

 The belief is commonly entertained that they are much more 

 difficult to study than the flowering plants. It is true that the 

 microscope is an essential requisite, and very little can be done 

 without its assistance, but to those who have some familiarity 

 with microscopical manipulations the mosses will present no 

 greater difficulties than the higher orders of plants. One of 

 their peculiarities, and one which is very convenient for those- 

 who have but few and irregular opportunities for botanical pur- 

 suits, is that it is not necessary that they should be examined', 

 while fresh. They can be laid carelessly aside for weeks or- 

 months if need be, and a few moments' immersion in water ren- 

 ders them (except in a few special cases) as fit for examination 

 as when freshly collected. 



The purpose of this paper is merely to present a summary of 

 the leading features of the structure, growth and reproduction of 



