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 

 JLeucodon 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. 



Before making any researches on this subject, it would be well, 

 I believe, to know precisely in what countries and under what cir- 

 cumstances this or that moss flowers in preference. For this pur- 

 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 or 

 less rarity of its fructification in the countries which they explore. 

 M. Merat, to whom I communicated my idea, approved of it, and 

 assured me that, in the new edition of his Flore des Environs de 

 Paris, he would annex this indication to the description of each spe- 

 cies, 



I would, therefore, request that the Linnean Society express, in 

 its Bulletin, the desire of seeing the authors of local Floras _give 

 likewise these indications at the close of each species of the mosses^ 

 hepatic mosses and lichens, which they describe. 



The knowledge of the causes, that determine the fructification in 

 these families, would be a very important discovery in natural history, 

 and would probably be a great advance in the cryptogamic depart- 

 ment of botany. 



NOTICE OF JOURNALS, MEMOIRS, AND OCCASIONAL, DISCOURSES. 



It is our intention, to introduce, when it may be convenient, among 

 the divisions of this journal, notices of periodical and other works of 

 science, and sometimes of interesting occasional productions. 



As coadjutors^ however humble, with those who are earnestly enga- 

 ged in extending the boundaries of useful knowledge, we are happy 

 to manifest a decent respect for our fellow laborers ; — not by unmer- 



