PEAT MOSS 



The leaves have no midrib, but grow around the 

 stem in a spiral manner. They are fastened to it by a 

 broad base and taper to a point. You can see this in the 

 picture. 



The stalks on which the capsules are borne are not 

 Uke those of other mosses. See how short and thick 

 they are. The branches at the top extend upward to 

 form them. A capsule is shaped somewhat like a vase. 

 ^^Tlen ripe it opens by a circular lid. 



Peat mosses are of more value than any others. If 

 you were to visit Ireland you would find great tracts of 

 land covered with peat bogs. Vast amounts of fuel are 

 obtained from these. In the Highlands of Scotland 

 peat forms the largest part of the fuel of the inhabi- 

 tants. 



This is also the principal moss north of the arctic 

 circle. Great quantities of it grow in Lapland. Here 

 it is used for beds. The Laplanders also use it for their 

 little babies instead of clothes, packing their cradles 

 firmly with it. In seasons of scarcity they make a 

 wretched kind of bread out of this plant. Florists 

 everywhere use this moss for packing flowers, because it 

 holds moisture for so long a time. 



We owe our coal to the remains of ferns, and our 

 peat to the mosses — two of the simplest of our plants 

 providing fuel in large quantities. 



101 



