MOSS. 145 



While I am contented to blossom apart, 

 In my humble bower, by the lowly cot, 

 I ask for no homage but that of the heart, 

 And smile while I whisper — ^^ Forget-me-not >'''^ 



]\I O S S E S . 



A FEW of the most remarkable Mosses are, the Greater 

 Water-moss, the Grey Bog-moss, the Yellow Powder-wort, 

 and the Common Club-moss. 



Mosses are almost constantly green, and have the finest 

 verdure in autumn. Some of the Mosses spread in a con- 

 tinual leaf; others grow hollow above, like small cups ; 

 others round on the top, like mushrooms ; and some shoot 

 out in branches. All these have their different seeds, which 

 do not require great delicacy of soil, but take root on any 

 thing where they can grow unmolested. Those Mosses 

 w'nich rise immediately from the earth are more perfect : 

 some of them white and hollow, or fistulous ; and some of 

 them not much inferior to regular plants. The more perfect 

 sorts grow on stones, in the form of a pile or fur, like vel- 

 vet, and of a glossy colour, between green and black. But 

 the first sort, which appears like scurf or crust, seems to 

 rise but one degree above the unwrought mould or earth. 

 An unhealthy tree is never without these imperfect super- 

 plants ; and the more unhealthy the tree is, the better they 

 thrive. 



