37 



CHAPTER VIII. 



ON THE CULTIVATION OP MOSSES. 



But little lias been effected in this direction. A few exotic 

 Mosses are occasionally introduced by accident into our stoves, 

 and in rare cases establish themselves, while some of the more 

 striking exotic forms, as OctoblepHarum albidum, are imported 

 intentionally with the more minute Ferns, and linger for a 

 year or two in their new home without attracting much atten- 

 tion, while here and there attempts are made to raise Mosses 

 from their spores, more with the intention, however, of 

 watching their mode of development than with a view to their 

 cultivation as objects of ornament. 



Few plants, however, will better repay attention. Where 

 British species only are desired, or at least those of temperate 

 regions, a little conservatory with rock-work on either side, 

 capable of being well ventilated, and never heated except in 

 severe weather or to prevent damp, answers the purpose ad- 

 mirably. A few of the smaller Ferns or alpine plants may 

 be introduced with advantage, but nothing of too coarse or 

 rampant a growth. If mixed with some of the more striking 

 Liverworts, to the suppression however of too luxuriant a 

 growth of the common Marchantice, which in small quantities 

 will not be unacceptable, a most pleasing effect may be pro- 



