CHAPTER XL 



SUB-KINGDOM IV. 

 BRYOPHYTA. 



THE Bryophytes, or mosses, are for the most part land plants, 

 though a few are aquatic, and with very few exceptions are 

 richly supplied with chlorophyll. They are for the most part 

 small plants, few of them being over a few centimetres in 

 height ; but, nevertheless, compared with the plants that we 

 have heretofore studied, quite complex in their structure. The 

 lowest members of the group are flattened, creeping plants, or 

 a few of them floating aquatics, without distinct stem and 

 leaves ; but the higher ones have a pretty well-developed cen- 

 tral axis or stem, with simple leaves attached. 



There are two classes I. Liverworts (Hepaticce) , and II. 

 Mosses (Musci). 



CLASS I. THE LIVERWORTS. 



One of the commonest of this class, and to be had at any 

 time, is named Madotheca. It is one of the highest of the 

 class, having distinct stem and leaves. It grows most com- 

 monly on the shady side of tree trunks, being most luxuriant 

 near the ground, where the supply of moisture is most con- 

 stant. It also occurs on stones and rocks in moist places. 

 It closely resembles a true moss in general appearance, and 

 from the scale-like arrangement of its leaves is sometimes 

 called " scale moss." 



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