MOSSES 



mosses which we see growing in a bog now are the tips of 

 phmts which began hfe perliaps thousands of years ago. 

 These have formed great beds of peat whicli may be 



from hfteen to twenty 

 feet thick. 



The peat mosses are 

 among our largest moss 

 plants. They are usually 

 pale green, but may be 

 a dirty white, a dark 

 red, a pale pink, or a 

 3^ellow. Those seen in 

 the picture were found 

 am.ong the White Moun- 

 tains in New Hampshire, 

 where there was an 

 a])undance of red plants. 

 Both leaves and stems 

 suck up the water like a 

 sponge, so that the whole 

 mass is full of moistin*e. 

 Peat Moss. There is little or no 



root. On the 3'oung 

 plants only are root hairs found. The plants seem to 

 float in an upi'ight position, unattached. As they grow 

 closely packed together thoy help (^ach other to stand 

 erect. There are many branches. The shorter ones at 

 the top are often much crowded. 



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