CEYPTOGAMIA MUSCL 49 



still more savage. I was 500 miles from any European 

 settlement. All these circumstances crowded at once on 

 my recollection, and I confess that my spirits began to fail 

 me. I considered my fate as certain, and that I had no 

 alternative but to lie down and perish. The influence of 

 religion, however, aided and supported me. I reflected 

 that no human prudence or foresight could possibly have 

 averted my present sufferings. I was indeed a stranger 

 in a strange land, yet I was still under the protecting eye 

 of that Providence who has condescended to call himself 

 the stranger's friend. At this moment, painful as my re- 

 flections were, the extraordinary beauty of a small moss, 

 in fructification, irresistibly caught my eye. I mention 

 this, to show from what trifling circumstances the mind 

 will sometimes derive consolation ; for, though the whole 

 plant was not larger than the top of one of my fingers, I 

 could not contemplate the delicate conformation of its 

 roots, leaves, and capsule, without admiration. Can that 

 Being, thought I, who planted, watered, and brought to 

 perfection, in this obscure part of the world, a thing which 

 appears of so small importance, look with unconcern upon 

 the situation and sufferings of creatures formed after his 

 own image ? Surely not ! Reflections like these would 

 not allow me to despair. I started up, and, disregarding 

 both hunger and fatigue, travelled forwards, assured that 

 relief was at hand ; and I was not disappointed." 



* " To apprehend thus, 



Draws us a profit from all things we see." 



11. D. adiantoides, stems branched ; leaves lanceolate, serrulate 

 at the point, those of the perichsetium ovate, slightly convolute, 

 pointed ; fruitstalks from near the middle of the stem, flexuose ; 

 capsule erect ; lid long, subulate. 



Hob. In wet bogs amongst moss. Lamberton Moor, &c. 

 Spring. ^ 



12. D. taxifolium, stems simple, tufted; leaves ovate-lanceolate, 

 entire; periehaetial ones ovate, sheathing, involute, pointed; 

 fruitstalks inserted at the very base of the stem ; capsules droop- 

 ing ; lid long, subulate. 



Hob. Moist clay banks in woods. Near Netherbyres, 

 Rev. A. Baird. New-water-haugh plantation. Spring. 



VOL. II. C 



