James Eustace Bagnall

“ A walk through green fields, country lanes, or woods, is rendered more enjoyable, and I believe more conducive to healthy exercise, if we have some special study to call us there, than such a walk would be if indulged in for the mere sake of what is termed a constitutional. ”

“ For it is well to have something that will for a time enable us to forget the every day cares of a busy life, and nothing is so likely to do this as some pursuit that not only engrosses the attention but also gladdens the eye, that calls forth healthy thought, educates the observing faculties, and stimulates us to take a certain amount of invigorating exercise. To any person with ordinary enthusiasm, interest, and industry, the study of the mosses will yield all this and more.
Too frequently these plants are neglected by even professed botanists. ”

“ Hence, I can only indicate the most likely mosses to be found in particular habitats. In many instances the same plants may be found flourishing in equal abundance in a variety of habitats. I have already mentioned Ceratodon purparens, as a moss to be found everywhere. It is abundant on heathy waysides and on old walls, thatched roofs, and even on trees it is no less plentiful. ”

“ A larger species, Fissidens tarifolins, will frequently occur with this, but the fruit-stalks arises from the base of the stem, the capsule is somewhat curved, and has a longish beak, fruit ripe in November. A species similar to F. bryoides is also frequent in Warwickshire, this is readily distinguished from it by the capsule, which is curved to one side. This is Fissidens incurvus. This species ripens its fruit about February or March. ”

“ As a simple microscope it will always be useful for dissecting and mounting purposes, and I can say with confidence that the student who has acquired all the knowledge of structure that this cheap little instrument will place within his reach will have gained such an insight into the moss world as will enable him to determine with a little patience the most difficult of mosses. ”

“ Hypnu velutinum is much smaller, and has narrower lance-shaped leaves, and is more velvety looking; whilst Hypnum confertum, which is constantly associated with the above, has a smooth fruit-stalk, and lid with a longish curved beak. ”

“ And here I may observe that at first it would be advisable to collect these mosses only which have their fruit fully matured, and then, when these have been carefully examined and their distinguishing characters mastered, barren specimens may be collected; for many of our rarest British mosses are more frequently found barren then fruiting, and they must not, of course, be neglected. ”

“ A pocket lens will be required for the examination of the plants in the field, one having a power of about ten diameters, i.e., about one inch focal length, will be found serviceable, and if with two powers, i.e., one inch and half-inch, still more so. Those lenses, fitted in horn cases, may be obtained from any of our local opticians at from 1s. upward, the price varying according to the finish of the article. If the School Microscope mentioned below is obtained, one or more of the lenses supplied with it may be made to do service in the field ”