Contents 



CHAPTER VI 



MOSSES AND PEAT PAGE 



Theory of a moss Rain absorbed Protection afforded by moss cushions 

 Soil formation Cannibal moss fronds Fog of pasture 

 Sphagnum Formation of a peat moss Antiseptic properties 

 Bogslides of a destructive character Surface-dried mosses 

 Establishment of heather Scotch fir seedlings Cottongrass swamps 

 Reclamation of peat in Scotland, Switzerland Cranberry culture 

 Peat products Electrical works run by peat fuel ... 70 



CHAPTER VII 



THE FERN ALLIANCE 



The Perie bush Fern glades and Tree-fern forests Coal-measure forests 

 Insects and animal life Formation of coal in estuaries Petroleum 

 Ingenious discoveries in coal fossils Climate of the coal measures 

 Development of seed plants Origin of a land flora Seed plants 

 in the coal measures Distribution by fish Jurassic flora Bracken 

 in Scotland Its use as food 79 



CHAPTER VIII 



ALPINE AND ARCTIC FLORAS 



The summit of a British hill Open floras Competition for root-hold 

 Sphagnum v. blaeberry v. cottongrass v. grassheaths Tundra of 

 Arctics Frozen willows Loss of water Dry cold of Tibet and 

 the Andes Dwarfing of Alpines Plants at 19,000 feet Dwarf 

 Juniper distribution and growth Arctic and Alpine weeds Alpine 

 gardens Rich flower colours Ancient circumpolar flowers Balkan 

 alpines Luzula in history 89 



CHAPTER IX 



THE ANTARCTIC * 



Algse, lichen and mosses at both poles South America and New 

 Zealand Azorella in the Andes Bullet-proof plant Continent 

 ends Seed distribution Albatross and Gentian Wind-blown 

 fruits Connection of Grahamland and Patagonia Effects on 

 circulation of air and water Common plants of Fuegia and New 

 Zealand Antarctic beechwood Snares Island 99 



CHAPTER X 



FLOWERS 



Thais and the rose of Jericho What is a flower ? Origin of sepals and 

 petals Work in a flower petal Yellow flowers Colour propor- 

 tions Genealogy of colours Sunlight Egyptian flowers Cleisto- 

 gamy Bougainvillea and Bluebeard salvia A tropical orchid 

 Colour v. Scent Moths and painted flowers Cycadofilix and 

 Mayfly to orchid and bee Insects and birds appearing with spring 

 flowers Insect visits and specialisation of flowers Evening moths 

 and campion Shepherds' clocks Opening of flowers November 

 flowers Honey Spurs Wax Ray florets Erigeron Stamens 

 and nourishment Bee and Spider orchid Geranium stalks 

 Selection .... 108 



