In the general arrangement of the genera and species, I have mainly followed the “Bryologia Britannica,” as I did not consider myself justified in departing widely from it, although many of our principal Muscologists look upon it as very faulty; but I did not hold my authority sufficient to alter what has become a classical arrangement amongst us: and more particularly as both Dr. Braithwaite and the Rev. J. Fergusson are engaged upon more critical examinations, prior to the publication of new and more natural arrangements. The Analysis of the Genera is principally founded upon the same part from Wilson, and is intended not as an arrangement, but merely a key.
In the “Appendix” will be found a few omitted species, and alterations of nomenclature, as well as a few _errata_, which should be noted in the margin at their proper places.
I much regret that, by an oversight, I have omitted to insert var. δ _squarrosulum_ under _Sphagnum cymbifolium_, gathered by my friend Mr. Bagnall, in Sutton Park, Birmingham; and the same locality should be added after _Hypnum aduncum_, _H. Sendtneri_, and _H. intermedium_.
I must here express my gratitude and thanks to those gentlemen who have so kindly assisted me in its preparation, both with the loan or gift of specimens of the rarer and newer species, and also for the diagnoses received from several, where specimens were not attainable. Amongst these gentlemen I must specially thank Dr. Hooker for his kind permission to use the Herbarium specimens and Library at Kew, and Mr. J. G. Baker, F.L.S., for his valuable assistance in doing so; also Dr. Braithwaite, F.L.S., Mr. J. Bagnall, of Birmingham; Dr. F. Buchanan White, of Dunkeld; Dr. Fraser, of Wolverhampton; Rev. J. Fergusson, of New Pitsligo; Mr. Carruthers, F.L.S., of British Museum; Mr. G. E. Hunt, of Manchester; Mr. John Sim, of Strachan; Mr. W. Galt, of Edinburgh; M. P. Goulard, of Caen, Calvados; and lastly, all those gentlemen and ladies who so readily came forward as subscribers to the number of upwards of 200, to assist in the publication of the volume.
LIST OF CONTRACTIONS USED IN THIS VOLUME.
br. _branches._ br. l. _branch leaves._ cal. calyp. _calyptra._ caps. _capsule._ fem. _female._ fl. _flower._ fr. _fruit or fructification._ infl. _inflorescence._ innov. _innovations._ l. _leaves._ m.m. _millimetres._ ped. _pedicel_ or _seta_. per. perist. _peristome._ per. l. and p. l. _perychætial leaves._ per. teeth. _teeth of peristome._ perig. l. _perigonial leaves._ st. _stem._ st. l. _stem leaves._