IN I KODI CI ION V 



Almost any form of simple microscope will serve, for the study 

 of mosses with this book, but to obtain the best results it should 

 be of a construction suitable for carrying in the pocket into the 

 field. It is also very desirable that the student have a lens that 

 can be used on a stand as a dissecting microscope. Lenses are 

 easily obtainable that can be used both as a pocket and as a dis- 

 secting microscope. The lens should be ten to fifteen diameters 

 magnifying power and with as large a field as one can afford. 



In studying very minute parts it will often be of advantage to 

 remove them with forceps and mount in a drop of water between 

 two thin strips of glass or mica, the method used with the com- 

 pound microscope. 



Much more definite data are needed with reference to the 

 habitats and time of maturing spores of even our common mosses. 

 The author has intended to give these as fully as the existing data 

 would permit. In using this book as a guide to the best seasons 

 for collecting any given species, it must be borne in mind that the 

 seasons are a month or so earlier in southern New York and New 

 Jersey than in northern New England and Canada. In the 

 former locality the earliest date given is the best ; in the latter 

 locality, the latest. 



The following literature on mosses will be very helpful to 

 those desiring a more complete equipment for bryological study: 



Mrs. Britton's Observer articles, the files of The Bryologist, 

 the author's Vermont Mosses, Barnes and Heald's Keys to the 

 Genera and Species of North American Mosses; the various 

 monographs by Mrs. Britton, Dr. Best, Prof. Barnes, Cheney, and 

 Grout; Lesquereux and James' Manual, and Dixon and Jameson's 

 Hand -Book of the British Mosses. Later on the bryological en- 

 thusiast will want more costly and extensive works in English 

 and in foreign languages. 



In the pronunciation of the scientific names it is well to re- 

 member that the best authorities give the English pronunciation 

 ^of the Latin with the accent according to the rules of Latin gram- 

 mar. The Roman pronunciation so much in vogue in schools and 

 colleges is sure at some early date to supersede the English, but 

 at present the English has the weight of authority. 



The pronunciation is indicated by the same signs as in the re- 

 cent works on the flowering plants. 



\ Indicates the accent and the long, broad, open, or close 

 English sound of the vowel. 



/ Indicates the accent and the short English sound. 



