BRITISH MOSSES. 



Part II. 



EXPLANATION OF THE PLATE S. 



N the following plates the mosses of Great Britain are arranged in 

 regular order. The first figure, relating to every tribe, gives its 

 leading generic distinctions, more or less magnified. The various 

 species are next represented, of their natural size, and are usually 

 accompanied by a magnified leaf. And when the variety is of sufficient importance, 

 a magnified leaf, or other distinguishing portion of it, is added to the figure of the 

 species to which it belongs. 



The student is referred to Table II. for a synopsis of the classification here 

 adopted. It is substantially the same as that of Mr. Wilson's " Bryologia 

 Britannica," the most profound and learned work which has appeared upon the 

 subject of the Mosses of the British Islands. Any who desire to plunge yet 

 deeper into the mysteries of Bryology, may do so by the aid of M.M. Bruch and 

 Schimper, in their " Bryologia Europaja." The adoption of an uniform system of 

 scientific nomenclature for mosses is very much to be desired ; that now used is 

 the nomenclature of the " Bryologia Britannica." The names we have in some 

 cases attempted to popularize, as our desire is to create an interest in their 

 bearers, and what interest could be excited in the " Glaucous trichostomum," or 

 the " Leafy buxbauvda ?" 



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