95 

 YORKSHIRE BRYOLOGISTS AT KNARESBOROUGH, 



The bryologists of the Yorkshire Xaturahsts' Union held their first 

 •sectional meeting at Knaresbro' on January 27th. The grounds of the 

 ■castle were visited first to see Barbula gracilis, this being where the first 

 Yorkshire specimens were obtained. The snow Spoilt the general facies 

 of the plant, but it was found ; then the river was crossed and the rocks 

 and cliffs examined. The moss flora of these cliffs is interesting, on the 

 tufa which occurs wherever the rocks have water running over them, 

 Weisia vei'ticillata is the dominant moss, with Weisia calcarea near at hand, 

 but keeping to when the rock is more marly ; great patches of Coiicephalus 

 conicits spread over both at times, the condition necessary appearing to 

 be damp l^elow, but not such a run of calcareous water. Mr. R. Barnes 

 mentioned how the mosses had changed during his observations, IF. cal- 

 carea being supplanted in great measure by W. verticillata. This latter 

 moss is stated in the text books to be a \ery rare fruiter, but the opinion 

 of the Yorkshire experts here disproved this as far as our county is con- 

 cerned. Where the rocks are more purely limestone Eitrhynchimn tenellum, 

 the delicate little Fissideiis pusillns, and Jungermania pumila are found. 

 On loose blocks of limestone at the base of these cliffs Eurhynchinm miirale, 

 the curious Barbula siniiosa and Plagiothecium depressum occur. Further 

 along on .the river side below the weir masses of Lunularia cruciata afforded 

 a subject tor discussion in regard to its claims for inclusion as a native, 

 the plant seems thoroughly established here as at a great many other 

 localities, but older records are not sufficiently corroborative, and its 

 constant appearance in greenhouses, together with the easj^ ^^ay it is 

 distributed by means of gemmae, are evidence against its acceptance. 

 Mr. W. Ingham pointed out the var. jiilaceiim of EurhynchiiiDi iniirale ; and 

 Barbula revoluta and lurida were gathered. 



Passing along beyond the dropping well search was made for Ambly- 

 stegium sprucei, but unsuccessfully, Mr. Barnes had previously gathered 

 it on these rocks. The path was followed along the river side towards 

 Grimbald's Crag, and on getting into the fields, Thuidium recognititm was 

 seen, and further along, good patches of B. siuuosa and P. depressum 

 claimed attention, and the little candle snuffer calj-ptras of Eucalypta 

 vulgaris were seen emerging from the snow co\'ering. 



On Grimbald's Crag Potentilla veriia was in flower. This had been 

 found a fortnight earlier, together with flowers of Potentilla fragariastrum 

 and Geranium robertiantini by Miss M. Mellish. In the quarry beyond 

 the crag, Thuidiuin hystricosiim was obtained, and Tortula rigida. 



The road was taken back to Knaresbro', and after tea Mr. Ingham 

 showed a fine series of forms of Hypnuni cuspidatum, and gave a delightful 

 discourse on the same, the variation of the plant in colour and form being 

 pointed out in the various habitats, and some suggestions made to account 

 for the changes. Next IMr. Barnes showed an excellent drawing of 

 Phascum cuspidatum, and also a series of photographs of some other of his 

 wonderful microscopic preparations of moss peristomes, etc. The party 

 was most enthusiastic, the general feeling being that could the series of 

 Mr. Barne's slides be photographed for minute detail, and drawings of the 

 whole plants be made as the specimen shown, then indeed the Millennium 

 would be reached for the bryologists whose pockets could stand the strain. 

 The drawings and photomicros were done by friends of INIr. Barnes. 



Mr. A. Wilson then read a paper on the collection and preparation 

 of specimens of mosses, and gave details of his methods. This paper will 

 be of lasting help to those who have not worked long at the subject, and 

 at the same time emphasize the need for care in labelling specimens at 

 once to obviate future mistakes as to localities and other data. This 

 concluded the business. A further meeting was decided on, to be held on 

 March i6th, at Pateley Bridge, the train being due there at 9-50 a.m. The 

 gills will be worked, and at Harrogate tea will be arranged, after which it is 

 suggested that microscopes should be provided in order to examine Mr. 

 Barnes' slides ; and, if possible, some papers will be read. — C. A. Cheeth.\m. 



agi2 Mar. i. 



