246 CRYPTOGAMS 



wood of the same kind. How do they differ in look, strength, 

 softness, and other qualities? 



Note. Fungi propagate by spores which are so light as to be 

 easily carried by the winds. When discharged from the parent 

 fungus, they float away on the winds. If any favorable locality 

 for growth is found, such as the exposed end of a broken branch 

 or a fallen tree, these spores promptly germinate and begin their 

 work of destruction. The tree becomes permeated with the fine 

 cobweblike fibers, and when mature, they produce the shelves. 

 Whenever a tree is seen to bear these fungi, it should be promptly 

 cut down and burned t6 prevent the spread of the disease. 



Logs and old lumber which are affected with fungi ought to be 

 burned. 



Suggestion. Procure some fresh mushrooms with a por- 

 tion of the soil in which they are found growing. 



Repeat Experiments 140-144 with them to find out if they 

 transpire water. Repeat Experiments 145 and 152 and 153 to 

 find out whether they perform the same work as green plants. 



Examine a portion of the delicate skin covering of the 

 fungus with a microscope. Do you find stomata ? 



210. A MOSS PLANT 



Object. To learn the characteristics of the spore-bear- 

 ing stage of a moss. 



Apparatus. Any moss when in fruit, a hand magnifier, a pin. 



Method. From a tuft of moss, carefully remove one 

 of the plants. If the specimens are dry, they may be fresh- 

 ened up by plunging them into hot water for a minute before 

 studying. Of how many parts does a moss plant consist? 

 Describe each. Examine one leaf with the magnifier. Do 

 you find any veins such as are found among seed-bearing 



