Mosses and Lichens 



When the spores of the Hairy-cap are mature, the pedicel 

 bends to bring the spore-case into a horizontal position, and the 

 sides of the spore-case wrinkle up, and by so doing oust the 

 spores. 



HOW A SPORE BECOMES A LEAFY -MOSS PLANT 



The spores which the wind carries from the spore-case to 

 favourable places germinate. The spore first swells and sends 

 forth a delicate tube which divides into a net-work of cells 

 (protonema). Some cells (rhi^oids) of the pro- 

 tonema contain leaf-green (chlorophyll) and 

 extend over earth or wood or stone as a fine 

 green web. Upon this green web little bud-like 

 structures appear which develop into leafy 



Spores. 



Widely branching protonema. 

 w. Rhizoid of the moss-plant starting at K. 

 h. A main filament of protonema from which branch- 

 ing protonema / has grown. 



Funaria Inygromelrica 



Spore germinating. 

 w. Rhizoid; s. Outside wall 

 of spore; v. Vacuole; p. Pro- 

 tomena. 



moss-shoots. The leafy structure is the part one ordinarily sees 

 and knows as "moss." 



As a rule, when the Hairy-caps and other mosses are well 

 grown, the protonema disappears. In a few species, as in the 

 Beard Moss (Pogonatum brevicaule), it persists, being visible as a 

 soft green covering on the ground, with small plants on its 

 surface and conspicuous spore-cases erect upon the plants. 



38 



