MOSSES 85 



sight of the peristome, in this state, as an opaque 

 object in the microscope (fig. 16), in order to see 

 the delicate tracery of the pale straw-coloured 

 teeth more distinctly. 



But now soak a few of the capsules in a little 

 warm water (notice how quickly their shrivelled 

 appearance disappears), and again bring the 

 microscope to hear on the upper end of the capsule, 

 this time, however, with transmitted light. A 

 decided change has evidently taken place, for the 

 teeth of the peristome, which a minute before 

 were bending down over the mouth, are now 

 standing erect (figs. 17 and 18), and have taken 

 on a brilliant golden hue, toned and picked out 

 with crimson. And if a few of them are cut off, 

 and subjected to a much higher magnifying power, 

 the markings become all the more clear (fig. 19) ; 

 while it will also be observed that each tooth is 

 deeply divided into two long and narrow portions, 

 which, at their lower ends, are connected by 

 transverse bars, also crimson and gold. Well 

 might Dr. Braithwaite say, in his " British Moss 

 Flora " : " We would advise all commencing 

 bryologists to study every part of this moss well, 

 as its structure, once familiarised to the eye, will 

 save much after trouble, and the beautiful peri- 

 stome must attract every microscopist." 



Reproduction otherwise than by Spores. We 

 have, so far, dealt with what I may call the 

 normal mode of reproduction of mosses; but 



