MOSSES, ETC., AS ACCESSORIES IN MOUNTING 389 



DIVISION II 



GRASSES, FERNS, MOSSES, SEAWEED, SHELLS, ETC. 



After the preparation of the groundwork or rock and the 

 trees, the consideration of the collection and preparation of the 

 mosses and grasses takes the next place. The mosses most ' 

 suitable are those found in woods and damp meadows, but 

 those which are very fine and " ferny " will not do at all, the 

 coarser, more golden-green kinds being the best, especially those 

 from old walls, rocks, and the boles of trees. They are well 

 known, and cover quite large areas, and may be lifted up as flat 

 masses, their under surfaces having but little soil attached. They 

 are coarse in texture and wavy, and of a golden -green or 

 reddish-golden colour. Gathered in dry weather they require 

 but little extra drying, and, the dirt having been tapped out of 

 them, they must be plunged into a bath of turpentine to kill 

 insects, and especially the larvae of a destructive Tinea, which, 

 curiously enough, harbours amongst moss, no doubt finding a 

 few feathers to feed upon, left by perching birds. Other plants 

 exceedingly valuable as accessories are those known as the 

 club mosses, such as the common one found in elevated or 

 rocky districts, and in marshes. Sphagnum or bog moss, hold- 

 ing water like a sponge, is extremely pretty, often pink-tipped 

 when growing, but when dried it is difficult to handle, and 

 does not do itself justice unless damped again, placed in 

 position, dried again, and tinted to nature. Very beautiful 

 lichens, red, crimson, yellow, golden, purple, liver-coloured, grey, 

 greenish, and of nearly every colour, are to be found on rocks 

 and trees, chiefly in mountainous or humid districts, and these 

 are most valuable for attaching to the modelled rocks and 

 trees. They should be carefully stripped from their attachments 

 by a thin-bladed knife, and carried in a flat tin until they can 



