258 



PRACTICAL BOTANY 



and closely resemble cells of many of the green algse (Fig. 

 214, A). Mats of this growth form upon or within such sub- 

 stances as soil, logs, etc., which are moist and shaded. These 



FIG. 214. The moss plant 



A, the alga-like protonema with branches (a) ; a young bud (c), and one (6) which 



has divided and produced several cells. B, a bud which has grown until young 



leaves (c) and rhizoids (&) are formed. The old protonema (a) is still seen. Both 



considerably enlarged 



growths are so alga-like that in the absence of considerable 

 magnification it is not possible, ordinarily, to distinguish them 

 from the algae. At times some of the cells become swollen, 



