BRITISH MOSSES. 69 



I have reason, furthermore, to believe that if the Mosses 

 of some parts of the south-west of England were worked 

 out carefully, northern forms would be found to prevail in 

 a way which would require, if possible, some explanation. 



The facility with which the wind can carry the small 

 spores of the Mosses probably accounts in some cases for 

 the wide distribution of the organisms. The very small 

 area occupied by some species suggests great susceptibility 

 to local surroundings. 



Conclusion. I can cordially recommend the study of the 

 Mosses to any, old or young, who really love Nature : I have 

 found in it a great source of pleasure during the last few years. 

 The tops of walls, the banks of lanes, the slopes of woods, 

 the mountain passes, each inhabited by different classes of 

 Mosses, are as distinct in their vegetation as the oak or 

 elm or beech counties of England, or the pine-clad slopes 

 or the birch groves of the Alps. A square foot, in some 

 situations, will contain a large number of species of 

 different forms and modes of growth. The long arms of 

 the Hypnum may stretch along the ground, whilst the 

 Tortulas raise their spires of rich brown from out rosettes 

 of verdant leaves, and the Bryums with their pendant cap- 

 sules vie with them in beauty. One stone or bit of boggy 

 land may be a study in colours greens, browns, reds, greys, 

 and gold which my pen would fail to describe. A wall- 

 top may show 



" A stubble field, or a canebrake ; a marsh. 

 Of bulrush, whitening in the sun." 



Another may present a mimic forest, built up of varied forms, 

 as different from one another as were the huge vegetables 



