INTRODUCTION. 23 
cryptogamic botanist enjoys in the pursuit of his 
favourite study amid the scenes of Nature. 
Add to all these recommendations this last 
important advantage, that these plants can be 
observed and collected without interruption 
throughout the whole year, and in situations where 
other vegetation is reduced to zero. They can be 
studied alike under the cloudy skies of December, 
as when illumined by the sunshine of June. 
When the flowers and ferns have vanished, when 
the lights are fled, and the garlands are dead, the 
deserted banquet-hall of Flora is still relieved by 
the presence of these humble retainers, whose 
fidelity is proof against every change of circum- 
stance, and whose better qualities are displayed 
when the storm is wildest and the desolation 
most complete. They are no summer friends. 
As Ruskin has beautifully observed, “ Unfading 
as motionless, the worm frets them not, and the 
autumn wastes not. Strong in lowliness, they 
neither blanch in heat, nor pine in frost. To 
them, slow-fingered, constant-hearted, is intrusted 
the weaving of the dark eternal tapestries of the 
hills; to them, slow-pencilled, iris-dyed, the 
tender framing of their endless imagery. Sharing 
the stillness of the unimpassioned rock, they share 
also its endurance; and while the winds of 
departing spring scatter the white hawthorn 
