2 HOW TO KNOW THE MOSSES 



measuring fully one-half inch, while many others are 

 too small or too closely folded to be seen easily. The 

 beginner will mistake branches for leaves at first, 

 especially when the leaves are small and the branches 

 numerous. (See chapter on "Leaves," p. 15.) A Httle 

 experience in examining different kinds of mosses will 

 best enable one to know what are branches and what 

 are leaves. Mosses branch much as other plants do, and 

 the leaves usually grow all around both the stem and 

 the branches, sometimes thickly covering them and so 

 closely overlapping that the outline of the leaf cannot 

 be seen. The leaves are better seen when moist, as they 

 usually spread then more than when dry. If the plants 

 are held to the light, at least the tips of even the small 

 leaves generally can be seen standing out around the 

 stems and branches. The leaves are thin and flat, 

 while the branches are usually cylindrical in general 

 outline, especially when the leaves are small and 

 closely folded. 



The appearance of most mosses changes according 

 to the amount of moisture in the leaves. When moist, 

 the leaves are well expanded and usually spreading; 

 when dry, they either becomie more erect and fold 

 against the stem, closely overlapping, or else they are 

 twisted and curled (crisped). Unlike dried flowering 

 plants, mosses when dried are not past reviving, but 

 can be restored to fresh conditions by being placed in 

 water. This is due to difference in the structure and 

 function of parts of the plants. Plants of the higher 



