MOSSES 



of the woods. Farmers do not like the common hair- 

 cap because it spreads rapidly and takes the place of 

 grass in their meadows. 



Near our home was an old field where this moss 

 grew in many places. We have often seen the children 

 gather it in handfuls and, seating them- 

 selves upon the ground, begin to make 

 "rings" of it. They did this by bending 

 the stems and fastening them together at 

 the end of the capsules. These were then 

 placed upon their fingers and worn home in 

 triumph. 



The leaves of the common hair-cap are 

 very thick and strong. Notice their thin, 

 clasping base and notched edges. Their 

 appearance is very different when dry from 

 what it is when wet. They spread out 

 when moist and are fresh and green, but 

 a lack of moisture causes the leaves to 

 fold up against the stem. This is to pre- 

 vent rapid evaporation. When left dry 

 for some time the plant turns brown. If placed in 

 water for a little while, it will regain freshness and 

 color. We have some mosses two or three years old 

 that can be made nearly as beautiful as they were at 

 first by letting them remain in water for a short time. 



The reddish-brown stems are from two to eight 

 inches long. At the end of each is a capsule of the same 



104 



Leaf of Hair- 

 Cap Moss. 



