MOSSES 



like this in the water. 'Hie plants are large, the branch- 

 es being sometimes a foot or more long. This makes it 

 very easy to see. It has thick three-cornered stems and 

 branches. These spread out in the water and float 

 along with the current. This plant is called the giant 

 water moss because it is the largest of them. 



There is one strange thing about this moss. It is 

 very difficult to burn it, even when it is completely dry. 



The Common ^\■;ltcI• I\Ioss. 



Because of this it is used in some parts of Europe for 

 lining chimneys. It prevents the woodwork about the 

 chinmey from taking fire. 



You see here another kind of water moss. This is 

 much more common than the first. It, too, has ^'ery 

 beautiful coloring, and a soft, silky look. Sonicliines it 

 is called the delicate water moss. This moss grows in 



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