13 



shows acute leaves, S. squarrosum has 'acute leaves with spread- 

 ing tips which stand out at an angle from the stem and 5. 

 cymbifolium has a boat-shaped leaf with a stouter stem. The 

 floor of the woods near the summit of North Mountain is carpeted 

 with a magnificent rug of the pink-topped Sphagnum acutifolium , 

 a wonder of beauty to the eye and a solace and comfort to the 

 tired feet of those who have come up with much toil, happily 

 expectant of a view just]^beyond. 



Most mosses lose much of their beauty by the drying necessary 

 for their preservation in herbaria, but most of the twenty or 

 more species mentioned in this article, if carefully pressed, make 

 very beautiful mounts, and if kept from the light will retain 

 their colors almost indefinitely. They can be artistically arranged 

 also in passe-partout style and make unique and much-prized 

 gifts in this form. A dozen specimens arranged on white paper* 

 four by six inches, with a cover of birch bark, with their names and 

 habitat and Ruskin's quotation which opens this article, make 

 a novel and refreshing remembrance for an invalid or shut-in. 



If an amateur may venture a suggestion to anyone looking 

 for rest and relaxation from the cares and perplexities of life, 

 and a change from the ordinary recreations of vacation seasons, 

 it would be, "Begin to play with the mosses." You will be 

 rested and refreshed and your powers of observation will be 

 vastly quickened and increased, and a field of such wonder and 

 beauty will be opened to your entranced vision that you will 

 find a new and deeper meaning in Mrs. Browning's lines, 



"Earth's crammed with heaven, 

 And every common bush afire vi^ith God, 

 But only he who sees takes off his shoes." 



Brooklyn, N. Y. 



