The leaves are often only a single cell thick, so with a good hand lens you may be able to make out the single cells if a leaf is inspected against the light. Two examples of the cellular structure of moss leaves are shown to the left and at the head of this section. The constant damp conditions should provide a wealth of interesting plants. Take a few small samples of the commonest mosses back with you in small plastic bags. Mosses can also be stored in paper envelopes and allowed to dry before future study.
Dehydrated mosses recover well in a dish of water and usually retain their colour.
Examine the moist mosses under a low powered stereo and admire their elegance of form. With a pair of forceps carefully remove a single leaf from each moss, mount in water under a cover-glass and examine under a high powered microscope at various magnifications. The cellular structure, which is an important diagnostic feature in identification, is clearly seen. You may notice under a stereo microscope when you immerse the moss in water, that there are aquatic animals present. Pond dipping I - two protozoa that are easy to find At this time of year when ponds start to fill with decaying vegetation, there can be an increase in the bacterial population.