MOSS. .;:>;> 



seed of other plants or shrubs, each of which 

 strives for mastery. Thus the* moss creeps 

 onwards, the lichen follows, the thistle, the 

 bramble, and the creepers succeed, until 

 every crevice is lost in vegetation ; and their 

 decay alone enables more powerful plants to 

 succeed, until the seed of the ash, and even 

 the acorn, find a receptacle in the rock, where 

 the germ sends forth its fibres, running be- 

 neath decayed and living plants, and, finding 

 crevices, forces its thready roots into every 

 vein. There it sucks and swells, until it be- 

 comes so powerful that it exercises dominion 

 over the fossil world ; for by the aid of the 

 winds it dislodges large rocks, and manures 

 the hollows with their crumbling stones. 

 Among these, fresh seeds are lodged, until 

 the whole becomes a towering forest. Thus 

 every thing shews infinity of power, conduct- 

 ed by infinite wisdom and goodness in Him, 

 " who maketh the grass to grow upon the 

 mountains, and herbs for the use of men. "* 



Of the early use of moss, Ovid has made 

 mention in his silver age : 



" Houses then were caves, or homely sheds, 



With twinino- osier fenced, and moss their beds." 



* Psalm cxlvii. 8. 

 2 a 2 



