THE PARTS OF THE MOSS PLANT 



the stalks gradually bending over and turning the tops 

 of the capsules downward, so as to empty out the spores. 



If the soil on 

 which the spores 

 fall is moist 

 enough, they 

 will begin to 

 grow in a few 

 days. A tiny, 

 threadlike plant 

 appears much 

 like the pro- 

 thalliimi of the 

 fern. Soon buds 

 of young moss 

 plants appear. 

 On these the 

 plants grow and 

 produce spores w^hich in their turn fall to the ground 

 and grow into new plants. 



Roots will grow from any part of a moss plant that 



is kept dark and moist. Often roots and new plants will 



grow from a leaf that is broken off. Mosses thus spread 



very rapidly. 



TREE MOSSES 



Do 3"ou remember that we said there were mosses 

 that looked hke small trees? The picture shows you 

 some of these. See what long roots they have. Do they 



97 



Forms of Capsules (Enlarged). 



1, 2, 3, 6, Show Caps that Fall off when the 

 Spores Ripen. 



