Contents 
CHAPTER VI 
MOSSES AND PEAT 
Theory of a moss—Rain absorbed—Protection afforded by moss cushions 
—Soil formation— Cannibal moss fronds—Fog of pasture — 
Sphagnum—Formation of a peat moss—Antiseptic properties— 
Bogslides of a destructive character—Surface-dried mosses— 
Establishment ef heather—Scotch fir seedlings—Cottongrass swamps 
—Reclamation of peat in Scotland, Switzerland—Cranberry culture 
—Peat products—Electrical works run by peat fuel . . . 
CHAPTER VII 
THE FERN ALLIANCE 
The Perie bush—Fern glades and Tree-fern forests—Coal-measure forests 
—lInsects and animal life—Formation of coal in estuaries—Petroleum 
—Ingenious discoveries in coal fossils—Climate of the coal measures 
—Development of seed plants—Origin of a land flora—Seed plants 
in the coal measures—Distribution by fish—Jurassic flora—Bracken 
in Scotland—Its use as food . . : . . . . . 
CHAPTER VIII 
ALPINE AND ARCTIC FLORAS 
The summit of a British hill—Open floras—Competition for root-hold— 
Sphagnum z. blaeberry v. cottongrass v. grassheaths—Tundra of 
Arctics—Frozen willows—Loss of water—Dry cold of Tibet and 
the Andes—Dwarfing of Alpines—Plants at 19,000 feet—Dwarf 
Juniper distribution and growth—Arctic and Alpine weeds—Alpine 
gardens—Rich flower colours—Ancient circumpolar flowers—Balkan 
alpines—Luzula in history . . 7 . - 8 . 
CHAPTER IX 
THE ANTARCTIC 
Algze, lichen and mosses at both poles—South America and New 
Zealand—Azorella in the Andes—Bullet-proof plant—Continent 
ends—Seed distribution—Albatross and Gentian—Wind-blown 
fruits—Connection of Grahamland and Patagonia—Effects on 
circulation of air and water—Common plants of Fuegia and New 
Zealand—Antarctic beechwood—Snares Island. ‘ . : 
CHAPTER X 
FLOWERS 
Thais and the rose of Jericho—What is a flower ?—Origin of sepals and 
petals—Work in a flower petal—Yellow flowers—Colour propor- 
tions—Genealogy of colours—Sunlight—Egyptian flowers—Cleisto- 
gamy—Bougainvillea and Bluebeard salvia—A tropical orchid— 
Colour vw. Scent—Moths and painted flowers—Cycadofilix and 
Mayfly to orchid and bee—Insects and birds appearing with spring 
flowers—Insect_visits and specialisation of flowers—Evening moths 
and campion—Shepherds’ clocks—Opening of flowers— November 
flowers—Honey—Spurs—Wax—Ray florets—Erigeron—Stamens 
and nourishment—Bee and Spider orchid—Geranium stalks— 
Selection Bio Bae IR RE gigs kel Ge 
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