collins guide

[turntostone]

Can anyone advise if the Collins guide to ferns, mosses and lichens is any good and does anyone know where I can obtain a copy.

Thanks
Gordon

[turntostone]

anyone able to help with this?

Thanks
Gordon

[Deb London]

I can't help, but it's a pity that you cannot get an answer.

If you look at older posts, it's the Philips book that seems to come highly recommended.

E.g.

Fern Book

[PMG]

I have an old copy of the Collins Guide - in fact I've had two of these and they have both come apart at the spine and the pages come out but despite that the book is useful! I also have the large Phillips Grasses, Ferns, Mosses and Lichens which is very useful for the grasses in particular. But of particular use is the new - out this year - British Bryological Society 'Mosses and Liverworts' a page per species (and sometimes two) and two or three pics of various magnifications is extremely useful and it makes good reading at times when you don't have anything to identify. Of course it doesn't contain lichens - but Frank Dobson's Lichen book is the best at the min esp since its been converted to colour pics.

I routinely buy wildlife identification books and have been doing since my first purchase in 1984 (out of my dole money - didn't eat that week and used to be a lot thinner ) - I keep any eye on the Natural History Book Society (NHBS) website and used to receive their catalogue: some years there may be nothing to update my small library - other years there might be two or three that I fancy! The other just as good website is Subuteo Books - sorry I don't have links but a quick Google will bring them up and poss other places stocking wildlife books too ........... Hope this helps

Pauline

http://www.nhbs.com/

[Deb London]

Reviews - Mosses and Liverworts of Britain and Ireland a field guide

This one maybe?

[PMG]

Originally Posted by Deb London

Reviews - Mosses and Liverworts of Britain and Ireland a field guide

This one maybe?

Yup thats the one!

[JennyS]

Hi Gordon,

Have you posted this in the Lichen forum as you're specifically interested in identifying lichens?

If you are, 'Lichens - an Illustrated Guide to the British and Irish Species' by Frank Dobson is worth getting.

I don't know the Collins book you mention, the Philips guide, as PMG says, is helpful for grasses though many names have changed since it was published.
Its less useful for lichens and mosses as its not comprehensive enough.

You're unlikely to find an up-to-date book that will cover ferns, bryophytes (moss and liverworts) as well as lichens. A good book for ferns etc is Francis Roses ' Grasses, Sedges, Rushes and Ferns'

[stigofthedump]

Hi Gordon.

I have said book. I really could not pass comment on it’s usefulness in identifying lichens, not my field. I can say it never gets used by me for any serious work on mosses.

I think you might well be best served elsewhere, just my opinion you understand.

If you wish I could photocopy the keys for lichens and post them off to you, might help in your decision.

It wouldn't be on my shortlist!

Vince.

[stigofthedump]

Ahem, could be breaching copyright, could send you a personal Christmas card


Vince

[turntostone]

Thanks to you all for the advise. It is Lichens I am specificaly interested in
ID'ing. Will try to get hold of the Dobson book, seems to be the best available.

Thanks
Gordon