POPULAR HISTORY 



OF 



BRITISH MOSSES. 



CHAPTEE 1. 



INTRODUCTION. 



" The moss growing ou the wall-top is looked un by many with .in eye 

 of contempt, but to those who will examine its structure and I'linctions it 

 affords a source of infinite admiration." 



" The green. 

 The silver hoar, the goldeu brown." 



Though Mosses^ notwithstanding their miuuteness, are im- 

 portant agents in the economy of nature^ it is onlv within 

 a very recent period that their strncture and liistory ha.s 

 been thoroughly investigated by the students of Botanical 

 Science. No doubt mention is made of them by various 

 writers of antiquity, but in a very ciu'sory way, and there- 

 fore it is not necessary for our purpose to go furtlier back 



