304 



PLANTS 



plants like clover, peas, and alfalfa (cf. 56), for they take nitrogen 



from the air, and convert it into food for plants. 



Moulds are fungi that grow upon fruits, bread, shoes, etc. We can 



grow the bread mould readily by covering damp bread with a dish 



(Fig. 248). 



Mildews and rusts are fungi that 

 attack seed plants, and cause great 

 loss in fruit trees and grains. Mush- 

 rooms, toad stools, and puff balls are 

 also fungi. Lichens (cf. 215) are a 

 class of fungi that form spreading 

 masses, red, blue, yellow, etc., in 

 color, upon trees, rocks, and boards. 



FIG. 248. Bread Mould (Mucor) with 

 a Fruiting Body that produces Spores. 



325. Mosses. Mosses are much more highly de- 

 veloped plants than fungi and algae; for they have leafy 

 stems, and organs similar to roots, which hold the plant 

 up from the ground. In the common form of 

 the moss, little, erect stalks are formed (Fig. 

 249) for the organs of reproduction. The moss 

 does not produce flowers. 



Mosses send out many leafy branches, and 

 so cover even bare rocks and mountain sides 

 with verdure. They can endure very dry and 

 very cold weather, renewing their growth as 

 soon as conditions are favorable. In cold 

 climates the moss of bogs and swamps is 

 changed to peat (cf. 118). This is mud 

 containing so much carbon that it can be used for fuel. 



Fig. 249. A 

 Moss Plant. 



326. Ferns. Ferns are plants of still higher develop- 

 ment than mosses. Their peculiar and beautiful leaves 

 spring from underground rootstocks (cf. 317). Each 



