4 
PREFACE. 
The following drawings of dissections of British Mosses are put forth as a small effort to aid the study 
of this interesting family of plants. 
A fully illustrated work on Mosses must necessarily be very expensive, if carried out on the plan which 
I have adopted, for there are 568 recognised species. 
An attempt has been made to render the work more useful than it would have been in its first form ; 
and it is hoped that, with the illustrations given of the Genera, the student will be enabled to make out, at least, 
the genus of any Moss which he may find, and thus the subject will be divested of some of its difficulties. 
In all cases the most prominent generic features have been studied, so that every assistance might be 
given to those who desire to work in this branch of Cryptogamic Botany. 
The additional plate (XXII.) gives the outlines of the capsules, leaves, and cell formation of the leaf of 
the Sub-genera of Hypnum, as described in " Hobkirk's Synopsis," pp. 145-182. 
In the general arrangement of the Genera, I have adopted that given in " Hobkirk's Synopsis " and 
Wilson's " Bryologia Britannica," the two most available works on British Mosses. 
Since the preparation and publication of the greater portion of this volume, a Catalogue of British 
Mosses has been issued by C. P. Hobldi'k and H. Boswell, differing greatly in its arrangement and nomencla- 
ture from that followed in this volume. 
I had contemplated adding an analytical and synoptical table of the Genera, but found it would have 
■extended the work beyond its limit. The student can find these in the books alluded to. 
I have to acknowledge my thanks to many gentlemen who have kindly assisted me in my work. If I 
omit some names, I trust I may be forgiven ; but among those whom I would especially mention is the Eev. R. 
Blight, of Lewes, who has, from time to time, revised these sheets ; and, but for his kindness, the work would 
have been abandoned. I must also add that I am indebted very deeply to Dr. R. Braithwaite, F.L.S., 
F.R.M.S., etc., of Clapham Rise, Surrey ; Mr. W. Mitten, of Hurstpierpoint ; Mr. S. A. Stewart, F.B.S.E., 
of Belfast ; Mr. C. P. Hobkirk, of Huddersfield ; Mr. James Hardy, of Oldcambus, N.B. ; and Mr. Henry 
Knight, of Weston-Super-Mare. 
To the Subscribers who have cheerfully and willingly given their support to my undertaking, I must 
-express my gratitude. 
w. c. u. 
