THE WOODS IN AUTUMN 



245 



threads the leafy stems are again produced. The light 

 spores are shed in dry weather, are wafted about in all 

 directions by the winds, and germinate in all moist and 

 shady places. The teacher who has a good hand lens 

 might try to make out some of the structural beauty of 

 moss capsules and leaves. 



The Bare-soil Moss (Funaria hygrometrica Sibth.) may 

 be found in spring and summer on moist clayey soil 

 which has been recently laid 

 bare. Look for it on that 

 side of street and railway cuts 

 which is exposed to the north. 



The large Hair Moss (Poly- 

 trichum commune L.) can be 

 found in patches near swamps 

 and in damp woods. 



Among the most important 

 moss in the economy of nature 

 is the common Peat Moss 

 (Sphagnum cymbi folium 

 Ehrh.). It covers many square 

 miles of swamps, both in this 

 country as well as in Europe. 



Besides the green mosses 

 which you find on moist soil, 

 and on decaying wood and 

 bark everywhere, you must have noticed on the soil, on 

 rocks, on the bark of trees, and on wood, a grayish growth, 

 which sometimes appears in closely adhering patches, some- 

 times presents a hairy or leaf-like form, the latter often 

 looking like bits of old crumpled paper. These are 

 Lichens. They are generally gray in color, but you will 

 find on them yellow, dark, or red spots and cups. These 

 spots and cups contain the spore sacs of the lichen. The 



hygrometrica. 



a, whole plant, slightly enlarged ; 

 6, reduced ; c, a capsule with 

 cap still adhering, slightly en- 

 larged. 



