HELPFUL SUGGESTIONS 33 



well developed, select the hest-looking growth for study, 

 the largest and greenest plants, and when possible 

 those that are hearing fruit. The fruit or capsule of a 

 moss is the swollen spore-case at the end of a slender 

 stem called the fruit-stalk or seta. The capsule is 

 usually borne above the leafy plant, but sometimes it 

 is partly hidden in the surrounding leaves. Gather 

 generously, at least what would be equal to two square 

 inches, so as to allow for breaking the plants when 

 separating them, to get the average characteristics 

 of several plants, and to have some plants moist and 

 others dry while studying them. Fold each specimen 

 in a paper wrapper by itself and on the outside write 

 habitat ''on ground" or "on rock," etc., and place and 

 date of collecting for possible future reference. If the 

 plants are placed in a tin box tightly covered, they will 

 keep their fresh condition for several days and it will 

 save moistening them for study, but care must be 

 taken to remember the habitat of each specimen. 



When no fruit is found, the genus can still be deter- 

 mined in many cases by studying the character of the 

 growth and the leaves, and carefully reading the de- 

 scriptions of all the mosses that come under both 

 *' Capsule erect" and "Capsule not erect." There are 

 some mosses that cannot be definitely named without 

 the aid of the capsule. When this is the case, it will be 

 mentioned in the descriptions of the genera. When in 

 doubt where to place a sterile moss that is somewhat 

 branched, try it under both Division A and Division B. 



