MOSSES. 



41 



of the peat mosses. Their reproduction is accom- 

 ph'shcd either by spores or by budding ; as a few. 

 species never produce fruit in this country, their 

 extension and preservation is accomplished by the 

 process of budding, or gemmation. Vegetation pro- 

 ceeds in the same manner as in flowering plants, in 

 so far as it is terminal, progressing by gradual elon- 

 gation of the apex, or grow- 

 ing point. The stem is 

 therefore very variable in a,, 

 length ; in some species 

 being invariably short, and 

 almost imperceptible, but 

 in others considerably ex- ^ 

 tended, even to a length of 

 several inches. One of the 

 most interesting features 

 in the development of 

 mosses is the fructification, 

 for although called " flower- 

 less plants," they really, 

 possess the analogues of 

 male and female flowers. 

 The male flowers are usually 

 termed Antheridia, and the y 

 female Archcgonia, the ^,..' 

 former containing the male 

 element for the purpose of fig. T— moss capsule. «, caiyptra ; 



. ... . , , , C, theca, or capsule ; yi fruit stalk ; 



fertilization, and the latter ^, leaves; ^, peristome ;*, conical 



the ovary, enclosing the 



ovules, to be matured into spores. For the minute 



details of these structures, we must refer to some 



