MOSSES 27 



in fruit that mosses are most easily recognised, and 

 then too it is that they afford specially fascinating 

 material for microscopical examination. Though 

 some of our British mosses have never heen 

 known to fruit here, and though in not a few 

 kinds the fruit is comparatively rarely formed, 

 yet in the large majority the spore-vessels are 

 matured every year, and with each particular 

 species at about the same time. The greater 

 number reach this stage either in the spring or 

 early summer, or in the late autumn or winter, 

 and consequently these seasons are most favour- 

 able for the moss-hunter's work. Mosses being, 

 as a rule, moisture-loving plants, the hot, dry 

 summer days are naturally least conducive to 

 their growth, though some select even that time 

 of year for fruiting. Thus it is that all the year 

 round the moss world has its attractions for him 

 who has the eyes to see the beauties that it con- 

 tains, and month by month it will yield material 

 in abundance, which may provide an incentive for 

 a country ramble, as well as endless pleasurable 

 occupation for leisure hours. 



LIFE-HISTORY 



The story of the growth of a moss from its 

 earliest start in life as represented by the spore 

 to the time when it has developed its fruit, 

 and may be deemed to have arrived at its most 



