172 Miscellanies. 
two large and aged oaks of equal size, standing by the side of each 
other. The trunks of both, on the side facing the west, were en- 
tirely hung over, from the base to a considerable height, with the 
Leucodon sciuroides. On one of them, this moss was covered with 
fruit; on the other I could not observe a single capsule, notwithstand- 
ing the scrupulous attention with which I used to visit it. ‘The same 
climate, the same temperature, the same exposure, the same humidi- 
ty, the same vigor in the two coverings of moss, the same nourishing 
principles, since they are both growing on trees of the same species, 
which are themselves so near that their roots are doubtless interlaced, 
and derive the same elements from the same soil. Were we not ac- 
quainted with the admirable order of the laws of nature, we might be 
tempted to believe that the mosses fructify only by caprice. é 
Before making any researches on this subject, it would be well, 
I believe, to know precisely in what countries and under what cit- 
_ cumstances this or that moss flowers in preference. For this pu 
_ pose, it is necessary that the authors of local Floras should take the 
trouble of pointing out, at the close of each species, the greater of 
less rarity of its fructification in the countries which they explore. 
M. Mérat, to whom I communicated my idea, approved of it, 2 
assured me that, in the new edition of his Flore des Environs 42 
Paris, he would annex this indication to the description of each spe 
cies. 
I would, therefore, request that the Linnean Society express, i 
its Bulletin, the desire of seeing the authors of local Floras giv 
likewise these indications at the close of each species of the mosses 
hepatic mosses and lichens, which they describe. ne 
The knowledge of the causes, that determine the fructification ™ 
these families, would bea very important discovery in natural history; 
and would probably be a great advance in the cryptogamic depart 
ment of botany. 
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