A MOSS PLANT. 



Funaria hygrometrica or Atrichum undulatum. 



BRYOPHYTES; MUSCi; BRYALES. 



PRELIMINARY. 



To those who are entirely unfamiliar with the mosses, 

 the different species appear quite similar. There are 

 many species besides the two mentioned that are suitable 

 for laboratory study, but the ones mentioned are abundant 

 and are more readily obtained in all their stages than are 

 some of the others. Although the outline has been 

 prepared with a view to the use of Funaria or Atrichum, 

 it may be adapted readily to any other common form. 



Atrichum is widely distributed and very common, 

 forming carpet-like patches in woods and on shady 

 banks. Funaria has even a wider distribution than 

 has Atrichum, and has an additional advantage as a 

 type for study in that it is more readily grown in the 

 laboratory. It is found especially where fires have 

 burned, or on cinder paths. As the reproductive organs 

 of Funaria are formed rather early in the growing season, 

 it is necessary to collect specimens in the latter part of 

 March and during April, in order to obtain plants showing 

 good antheridia and archegonia. The antheridial plants 



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