MOSSES 



FERN MOSSES 



EVERYBODY admires fern mosses. Their branches 

 grow very regularly, just as the parts of the fern frond 



do. They often send out 

 branchlets that are also very 

 regular. 



The common fern moss 

 grows in damp, shady 

 places, spreading over 

 stones, decayed logs, and 

 waste places of the earth. 

 It reminds us of Ruskin's 

 words when he says, " Crea- 

 tion full of pity, covering 

 with strange and tender 

 honor the scarred disgrace 

 of ruin laying quiet finger 

 on the trembling stones, to 

 teach them rest." 



Another common fern 

 moss is found growing on 

 poor soil in dry places. 



Common Fern Moss. mi- 11 j j.u r 



Ims is called the wiry tern 

 moss. It is rather stiff and grows in thick mats. 



The mountain fern moss is a very beautiful kind. 

 It is larger than the others. One thing about its growth 



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