MOSSES WITH A HAND-LENS 



FAMILY J4. FUNARIACEAE. The Cord Moss Family* 



FUNARIA. 



UNARIA HYGROMETRICA (L.), Sibth., the Cord Moss, is 

 so-called because of the twisted seta, which is very 

 hygroscopic and untwists when moist. Its Latin 

 name, Funaria, is derived from funis, a rope. This 

 twisting of the seta is not peculiar to this moss, 

 however, but is a very common thing in nearly all moss families. 



The Cord 

 Moss is to be 

 found every- 

 where, being 

 especially abun- 

 dant in waste 

 places and on 

 soil re c e n 1 1 y 

 burned over. 1 

 have seen it 

 completely cov- 

 er the soil in an 

 old strawberry 

 bed. When 

 mature it is 

 easily r e c o g- 

 nized by the 

 peculiar look- 

 ing curved cap- 

 sule with its 

 mouth on one 

 side. When im- 

 mature it is 

 much harder to 

 recognize, be- 

 cause the capsule is erect and nearly symmetric and the calyptra 

 has not assumed the rakish position indicated in the figures. 



This moss has perhaps been given " a more careful study 

 than any other species ; it is described in nearly every text book 

 on botany. There are several other species in the United States, 

 but this is the only one commonly found. The capsules mature 

 early in June. 



FIGURE 35. Funaria hygrometrica X 2, with 

 capsules of various ages and degrees of magnification. 



