222 IMPERFECT PLANTS. 



Floras which have been published in the United States- 

 Ferns alone, of the cryptogamic plants are included. 



Their herbage is frequently very beautiful ; and 

 the polished Stipe of the Maiden Hair presents an ex- 

 ample of the glittering surface which is not surpassed 

 by any of the more perfect plants. The Lycopodium 

 is an interesting trailing vine, which retains its verdure 

 during the winter when it is often employed to decorate 

 our dwellings and our churches, serving at least to dis- 

 pel the gloom of one season, by reminding us of the 

 gaiety of another. 



2. MOSSES. 



Mosses constitute a second order. Though too mi- 

 nute to attract the notice of the passing observer, when 

 examined with attention, they exhibit a beauty of struc- 

 ture which we cannot fail to admire. They are fur- 

 nished with leaves and stems presenting a miniature of 

 the lofty forest trees, and like them usually having 

 their floral organs distinct. Sometimes however the 

 stem is wanting ; and when present, it has been ob- 

 served to sink into the soil, and as the oid root decays 

 and is converted into mould, so the old stem annually 

 descends into the eaith, emits radical fibres, and is con- 

 verted into a root. 



The leaves of Mosses are very minute, being often 

 transparent. They arise from every side of the sfr-m, 

 and are linear, oval, lanceolate, pointed, and imbricate, 

 varying like other leaves, and Having their different 

 forms designated by the same terms. According to 

 Hedwig, the floral organs of the Mosses usually occur 

 on separate plants, but in some cases they are monce- 

 cious, having barren and fertile flowers distinct, but 



