SECT. I. CONSERVATIVE ORGANS. 



The Stem. Some Mosses are altogether stemless, Some- 

 consisting merely of a root surmounted with a few Anting. 

 minute leaves, as in the case of Phascum muticum 

 (PL VII. Fig. 5.) and Orthotricum Brownianum.* 

 Others are nearly stemless, no stem being visible 

 without the aid of the microscope ; and all are 

 diminutive compared with herbs in general, few of 

 them attaining to, and still fewer exceeding, a foot 

 in height. But where a stem exists it is generally Modifier 

 like the root, weak and slender, though sometimes tl 

 stiff and shrubby, as in Hypnum alopecurum. It 

 is simple, as in Polytrichum commune ; or dichoto- 

 mous, as in Mnlum palustre ; or branched, as in 

 Dicranum scoparium. It is also erect, as in Eryum 

 Ugulatum (PL VII. Fig. 6.) ; or procumbent, as in 

 Hypnum rugosum ; or pendant, as in Hypnum 

 crispum ; or creeping, as in Hypnum prcelongum ; 

 or floating, as in Fontinalis antipyretica. It is for 

 the most part closely covered with leaves, though 

 sometimes bare at the lower extremity, as in the 

 barren plants of Bryum roseum. If the species 

 grows in tufts or patches, a case by no means rare, 

 the stems are generally, like the root, closely mat- 

 ted together, as in Tor tula ruralis. 



Sometimes the lower part of the stem sinks Sinking 

 annually into the soil, where it sends out small stem ' 

 fibres, and is converted into a root, the original root 

 being now decayed and converted into vegetable 

 * Flora Brit. p. 1269, 



VOL. I. P 



