102 BOTANY FOR YOUNG PEOPLE. 



3i/. The LIVERWORTS, which are thicker 

 and more juicy than the Mosses. There is 

 some dispute on account of the origin of the 

 name. A number supposed it to be derived 

 from the virtue it was formerly thought to pos- 

 sess in curing diseases of the liver, and the rest 

 think it arose from their resembling the colors 

 of that organ. The Juggemiannia are the most 

 common plants in this order. 



5th. The SEA WEEDS, a name that needs no 

 explanation. A common plant in it is the Gulf 

 Weed, found floating in the Gulf of Florida, 

 sometimes forming floating fields many miles in 

 extent. One of its species, named the Gigantic, 

 is said to be over six feet long , another forms a 

 good manure, and a fourth is boiled with meal 

 in Lapland, and given to cattle for food. On 

 burning, many of them afford an impure soda 

 called Kelp. 



5th. The LICHENS, which vary in texture, 

 form, and color, being woody, leathery leaf-like, 

 and white, green, or black. Many of them are 

 exceedingly useful for many purposes in medi- 

 cine and dying. They mostly resemble trees 

 in miniature. You have often eaten jelly made 

 of the Irish, and Iceland Mosses. 



