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 1 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 
