Transcriber’s Note:
The cover image was created by the transcriber and is placed in the public domain.
It is not my desire that this little volume should be looked upon asanything more than what is expressed in the title, simply “ASynopsis of the British Mosses,” and as a kind of vade-mecum tothe working Bryologist, as well as a guide to beginners. It is notaltogether an original work, nor yet is it a mere compilation, for nearlyevery species has been carefully examined under the microscope beforebeing described, and then the diagnoses compared with other works,principally that great text-book of British Bryologists, “Wilson’sBryologia Britannica.” Besides this work, I have also largely consulted,and drawn from, Bruch and Schimper’s “Bryologia Europæa,”Schimper’s “Synopsis,” Dr. Mueller’s “Synopsis,” the Proceedings ofthe Linnean Society, the Bulletins of the Royal Botanical Societies ofFrance and of Belgium; and last, but not least, the valuable papersrecently contributed by Dr. Braithwaite to “Journal of Botany,”“Grevillea,” and the “Monthly Microscopical Journal,” and also somepapers by Mr. Mitten in the first-named publication.
In the general arrangement of the genera and species, I havemainly followed the “Bryologia Britannica,” as I did not considermyself justified in departing widely from it, although many of ourprincipal Muscologists look upon it as very faulty; but I did not holdmy authority sufficient to alter what has become a classical arrangementamongst us: and more particularly as both Dr. Braithwaite andthe Rev. J. Fergusson are engaged upon more critical examinations,prior to the publication of new and more natural arrangements. TheAnalysis of the Genera is principally founded upon the same part fromWilson, and is intended not as an arrangement, but merely a key.
viIn the “Appendix” will be found a few omitted species, andalterations of nomenclature, as well as a few errata, which should benoted in the margin at their proper places.
I much regret that, by an oversight, I have omitted to insertvar. δ squarrosulum under Sphagnum cymbifolium, gathered by myfriend Mr. Bagnall, in Sutton Park, Birmingham; and the samelocality should be added after Hypnum aduncum, H. Sendtneri, andH. intermedium.
I must here express my gratitude and thanks to those gentlemenwho have so kindly assi