DICRANUM. 141 



off the protecting lid, and display the bright red peristome 

 closing or expanding according to the state of the atmo- 

 sphere. Its connection "^vith an interesting adventure in the 

 travels of Mungo Park, the African traveller, is so trite, 

 that we only refer to it in passing. We trust however 

 that the lesson of patient endurance, and trust in a heavenly 

 Pather^s care, with which he was inspired while he surveyed 

 this humble plant, on the sultry soil of Africa, will not be 

 lost on our young readers. It is but few, comparatively, 

 who are exposed to the trials and privations he encountered ; 

 yet in every difficulty let us remember that we are ever 

 under the protecting care of Him, without whom a sparrow 

 cannot fall to the ground, and by whom the hairs of our 

 head are all numbered. 



" Sad, faint, and weary, on the sand 

 Our traveller sat him down ; his hand 



Covered his burning head. 

 Above, beneath, behind, around, 

 No resting for the eye he found. 



All nature seem'd as dead. 



" One tiny tuft of Moss alone. 

 Mantling with freshest green a stone. 

 Fixed his delighted gaze ; 



