Mosses and Liverworts An Introduction to their Study, with Hints as to their Collection and Preservation

Abstract

THE speedy demand for a second issue of Mr. Russell's book testifies to its value and usefulnes as a guide to the study of mosses and hepatics. The introductory portion is all that can be desired, and the student who conscientiously masters this portion will be in a position to pass on to more advanced books dealing with the same subject. The author lays much stress on the point that he is specially anxious to use simple language, fearing that scientific words might act as a deterrent to the study. With this frequently expressed idea we do not quite agree; the true value of a scientific term consists in the fact that, when once grasped, it stereotypes the particular structure in a single word, whereas a sentence in English may convey but a very vague idea of the structure in question. As an example, the term archegonium defines a definite structure, which is said to be “the fruit-bearing organ,” which it certainly is not. The species given as examples are well chosen, and cover all the structures peculiar to mosses and hepaties.