MOSSES. MUNGO PARK. 



31 



CASiRE.N'SIS, OR FKATHi-R- 



JVIoss. 





of those already noticed, to which they seem to bear a greater 

 resemblance in external form. 

 Mosses do not, like Ferns, 

 bear their fructification upon 

 the leaves or modifications 

 of them ; it is inclosed in a 

 little case or urn, which is 

 furnished with a lid, and is 

 borne on a long distinct stalk, 

 so as to be very easily ob- 

 served when full-grown. 

 The interior of this minute 

 organ usually contains a 

 structure of great beauty, 

 which will be hereafter de- FIG. 4.-iiYp.vuM 

 scribed in detail ; but it is 

 interesting to know, that it was by the contemplation of this, 

 that the heart of Mungo Park, the African traveller, was 

 revived, when the difficulties by which he was surrounded had 

 almost extinguished hope within him. The passage has been 

 often quoted ; but, it may be hoped, never without its use ; 

 and it does not seem superfluous to introduce it here. 



28. This enterprising traveller, during one of his journeys into 

 the interior of Africa, was cruelly stripped and robbed of all that 

 he possessed, by banditti. " In this forlorn and almost helpless 

 condition," he says, " when the robbers had left me, I sat for 

 some time looking around me with amazement and terror. Which- 

 ever way I turned, nothing appeared but danger and difficulty. 

 I found myself in the midst of a vast wilderness, in the depth of 

 the rainy season, naked and alone, surrounded by savage ani- 

 mals, and by men still more savage. I was five hundred miles 

 from any European settlement. All these circumstances crowded 

 at once upon my recollection, and I confess that my spirits began 

 to fail me. 1 considered my fate as certain, and that I had no 

 alternative but to lie down and perish. The influence of religion, 

 however, aided and supported me. I reflected that no human 

 prudence or foresight could possibly have averted my present suf- 



