46 



wish to extend his search, tlae river banks, the raihvay cuttings, the 

 sand hills, the turf bogs, the heathery hill side, the gorse covered 

 common, and even, in some places, the sea shore, below the tide mark, 

 will each enrich his stoi'e with appropriate contributions ; and all that 

 any of the species require to reconcile them to their change of situation 

 is a little of their own soil, and a somewhat corresponding degree of 

 shade and moisture. 



Again, the great diversity of their seasons of fructification affords 

 them an advantage in which no other single class of plants participates. 

 It would be easy to arrange even a small case of mosses so that some 

 of their number should be in their highest state of perfection succes- 

 sively in every month throughout the year. Though naturally, and 

 without such a selection, the case would be in its most flourishing 

 state during the winter months, just at the time when it is of most 

 value from the absence of other plants. And this I regard as a very 

 gi'eat recommendation. For there is more or less of pain in looking 

 on a barren spot wliere flowers have been, even though we may know 

 they will again come forth and flourish. But to see a constant succes- 

 sion of flower and fruit, one kind rising to maturity as another fades, 

 this keeps up the intei-est, and renders a well managed case of mosses 

 a never failing source of gratification. 



These qualifications secure for the cultivation of mosses an interest 

 which is of a popular kind ; but if a more scientific end is desired, it 

 will also afford an almost exhaustless field for microscopic observation 

 and physiological research. Of the mode of fructification in mosses 

 just sufficient is known to make it plain that it involves a great secret, 

 waiting to be found out by the first explorer who may bring sufficient 

 ability to bear upon the subject. Of the functions of the antheridia, says 

 the author of the ' Bryologia,' nothing is known by actual observation, but 

 it is a well established fiict that whenever they are absent fruit is never 

 produced from the archegonia. It is the impression of the writer that 

 most of the great physiological discoveries in phanerogamic botany 

 were made on plants more or less in a state of cultivation. Possibly 

 one of the reasons why we know less of the re-productive economy of 

 mosses is because they have been thought too insignificant to be taken 

 and watched by man under his own peculiar care. 



Many kinds of mosses may be grown freely in the open air, without 

 any protection beyond a shelter from the direct rays of the sun ; but 

 they are liable to remain during the greater portion of the yeai* in a 

 shrivelled unsatisfactory state. We will therefore suppose that a 

 Wardian case, of moderate dimensions, is to be provided, and apply 

 ourselves to the question how it may best be procured and managed. 



