The 10km-square dot-distribution maps in this three-volume atlas are the result of a 30-year survey of the bryophyte flora of the British Isles by members of the British Bryological Society, and have been prepared by the Biological Records Centre, Institute of Terrestrial Ecology, Monks Wood. This second volume covers Sphagnopsida, Andreaeopsida and Bryopsida (except the Diplolepidae). The introductory chapter by A.C. Crundwell is on the bryophytes of Britain and Ireland in a European context, and covers species absent from continental Europe, the oceanic-subalpine element, surprising trends and anomalous distributions, absentees and phytogeographical considerations. All British species in the families covered are mapped and accompanied by notes on their habitats, reproductive biology and overseas distribution.