376 POPULAR FIELD BOTANY. 
apparatus of teeth, or a membrane like a fringe. These 
processes are sometimes single, sometimes double. There 
are either four, eight, sixteen, thirty-two, or sixty-four teeth, 
no Moss having ever been found with an intermediate 
number, They seem as if placed there to aid in discharging 
the seed when it is ripe. These seeds are as fine as dust, 
and are ouly dispersed in dry weather, when the teeth are 
spread out. Ina damp state of the atmosphere they close 
over the mouth of the capsule, and the seeds cannot 
escape. ‘The capsule, when ripe, is of a horny substance, 
very variable in form, oval, round, four-sided, pear-shaped, 
&c. &c. There is a small bag within to contain the seeds. 
Plants in the order Jungermaniacee are foul ePrineipally 
in wet ground, near rivulets, on moist banks, and similar 
places, but are not entirely confined to such situations. 
They are also often met with amongst Moss, and on the 
decaying stumps of trees. They differ from the Musei in 
general appearance, from the substance being more trans- 
parent, and the leaves being less like true leaves, but more 
like scales. The parts of fructification are also very singular; 
for when ripe they split into four, and discharge the 
seed ; this is only done when the atmosphere is dry, or when 
the sun shines upon them; before this occurs the seed- 
