MOSSES. MUNGO PARK. 235 



on the stage at theatres; for being very light 

 and combustible, they take fire very quickly, and 

 with a sort of hissing noise, while floating in the 

 air. 



The structure of the mosses is so beautiful, that 

 they are objects of the greatest interest and admir- 

 ation, to all who understand them. Mungo Park, 

 a traveller celebrated for his fortitude and courage, 

 who ventured alone into the midst of the great un- 

 known countries of Africa, wrote an account of his 

 journey that w T ill give you pleasure at some future 

 time ; and I will now read you a part of it : "I 

 " found myself in the midst of a vast wilderness, 

 " naked and alone, surrounded by savage animals, 

 " and by men still more savage. I was five hun- 

 " dred miles from the nearest European settlement; 

 " I considered my fate as certain, and that I had 

 " no alternative but to lie down and perish. At 

 " this moment, the extraordinary beauty of a 

 tc small moss irresistibly caught my eye; and 

 <J though the whole plant was not larger than the 

 " top of one of my fingers, I could not contemplate 

 " the delicate conformation of its roots, leaves, and 

 " capsules, without admiration. Can that Being, 

 " thought I, who planted, watered, and brought 

 " to perfection, in this obscure part of the world, 

 " a thing which appears of so small importance, 

 " look with unconcern upon the situation and sufc 



