OF THE MOSSES AND THEIR ALLIES. 141 



choosing by preference the swamp and morass, great tracts 

 of which they cover with their spongy tufts. They may 

 be easily distinguished, even at a long distance, by their 

 singular pale yellow hue, so different to the bright rich 

 green which generally marks the Moss tribe. The denizens, 

 however, of the water are far inferior in number to those 

 which draw their nourishment from the atmosphere, 

 thriving on the surface of rocks, damp walls, and stems of 

 trees. Thus the Orthotricha are almost entirely confined 

 to the latter habitat, the exceptions occurring on rocks, 

 never on the naked soil. The collector, therefore, must 

 take a rigid survey of the trees, as well as of the ground 

 which they overshadow, taking particular care to examine 

 the hollows formed by the junction of the branches with 

 the stem ; also the base of the tree where the latter passes 

 into the root and buries itself in the soil ; for it is in places 

 of this description that the rain and dew settle, and 

 consequently Mosses are encouraged to develop themselves. 

 Uprooted trees, on which time and the weather are beginning 

 to make an impression, are also favourite localities for 

 nearly all the members of the Muscal alliance. Let them 

 be closely investigated, for, other conditions being aus- 

 picious, more examples will often be gathered here than 

 hours of research will disclose in many less-favoured spots. 



A strong knife, a waterproof bag or small tin vasculum, 

 a few small bottles, and a supply of paper, are all that is 

 necessary, by way of outfit, for a i ramble among the Mosses.' 



If possible, only such specimens as are in full fructifi- 

 cation should be gathered ; for, as a practical matter, mere 

 tufts of leaves without signs of fruit, or with immature 

 fruit, are really of very little value. So important is this, 

 that, should the collector find himself in a neighbourhood 

 where the Mosses do not yet display their fruit, he had far 

 better leave them for a while, than gather them at once, 

 however tempting the opportunity, or lovely the specimens. 

 Let him mark the place carefully, and revisit it in a month 

 or two, and in all probability he will be amply rewarded 



