40 FOOTNOTES FROM 



and were endowed alike with the power of converting 

 heterogeneous matter into their own proper substance. 

 But here the resemblance between them began and ended. 

 The plant still possesses its original power of deriving 

 its nourishment from the soil, while the animal has no 

 such power, and is dependent for its support upon matter 

 previously organized to a certain degree by the plant. 

 Thus it is the peculiar function of the plant to effect 

 that important change by which inorganic matter is con- 

 verted into living substance ; it is in the organs of the 

 plant that matter becomes vital. This is by far the 

 most wonderful operation which is going on in the world ; 

 for in all that afterwards takes place there is no such 

 radical change, there is simply development into more 

 highly organized substance. Yet in what the operation 

 consists, or by what process it is accomplished, is involved 

 in the greatest mystery. 



Mosses are sometimes found in an isolated state as 

 single individuals, but they are far oftener found in a 

 social condition. It is a peculiarity of the family to 

 grow in tufts or clusters, the appearance of which is 

 always distinct and well-marked in different species, and 

 often affords a specific character. This disposition to 

 grow together, which is exhibited in no other plants so 

 strongly, redeems them from the insignificance of their 

 individual state, and enables them to modify in many 

 places the appearance of the general landscape. As 

 social plants they often cover vast districts of land. 

 Along with lichens they give a verdant appearance to 

 the desert steppes of northern Europe, Asia, and America. 

 Mixed with grass they luxuriate in parks, lawns, and 



