612 Mosses [June, 
The foliage of some is dark-green in color; of others reddish or 
brownish, and in Leucobryom it is almost white. 
Mosses are widely distributed over the earth from the equator 
to the poles, and inhabit very diverse locations. When dried up 
by the heats of summer they will soon recover under the influence 
of moisture, at once resuming their vivid colors and beauty. 
They are probably among the oldest of the existing families of 
plants, and their part in life is to prepare the way, by their action 
on the soil and decomposition, for the higher vegetation. This 
task they share with lichens, whose history is perhaps even lower. 
Their direct economic uses are few, but as objects of study they 
will ever possess an increasing interest. 
The collection of mosses is a comparatively simple matter, and 
may be here briefly stated for the guidance of such as maybe 
inclined to gather them. In the first place, having selected some 
specimen for preservation, shake out from it as much as possible 
of the soil, or if the plant is attached to a tree, obtain a thin slice 
of the bark to which it adheres. Always make notes of the 
medium from which it is obtained, as earth, tree or rock. If the 
kind of tree is known, indicate it on the accompanying label. It 
should be stated, too, if the tree on which it grows is dead of 
alive, or if the moss is on the ground, the character of the soil 
Remember to affix the time and place of collection. The spec 
mens are best preserved in a portfolio of binder's boards, oF td 
book 10 X 15 inches, which can be tied together by tape A 
strings, and is filled with bibulous paper. The collector shoul i 
carry with him into the field besides, a number of paper envelope | 
or pockets for the reception of specimens. Put but one g7 : 
in each pocket. They require comparatively little pressure 
mounting use a firm white paper six inches in length by pe s 
a quarter (6 X 41%) in width. The plants can be attach 5 
t sheets 10 © 
means of paste, and arranged in books or loose 
herbarium. of the ; 
Lastly, it may be of interest to state the names of som ~ : 
American botanists who have been especially distinguishes ™ | : 
field. Of these the late Wm. S. Sullivant is perhaps oe 
known. He prepared the paper on mosses for Gray's a has 
besides many elaborate and costly illustrated works. Death’ Ss 
lately removed those other accurate and careful mu ambridge j 
Coe F. Austin, of New Jersey, and Thos. P. James, of C Eo 
