MOSSES 



FERN MOSSES 



lilvEKYi^ODY iidniires fern mosses. Their hraiiclies 

 grow very regularly, just as the parts of the fern frond 



do. They often send out 

 branchlets that are also very 

 regular. 



The common fern moss 

 grows in damp, shady 

 places, spreading over 

 stones, decayed logs, and 

 waste places of the earth. 

 It reminds us of Ruskin's 

 words Avhen he says, '^ Crea- 

 tures full of pity, covering 

 ,^; with strange and tender 

 honor the scarred disgrace 

 of I'uin — laying quiet finger 

 on the trembling stones, to 

 teach them rest." 



Another common fern 

 moss is found growing on 

 poor soil in dry places. 

 This is called the wiry fern 

 moss. It is rather stiff mikI grows in thick mats. 



Tlie mountain fciii moss is a wvy Ix-nutiful kind. 

 It is larger than the others. One thing about its growth 



102 



Common F(>rn ^loss. 



