96 



NATURE STUDY MADE EASY 



HAIR Moss 



There are very many varieties of mosses. 

 The Hair Moss is a wonderful little plant. 

 It grows on the summits of hills or in 

 marshy places. In Lapland it forms food 

 for the reindeer or bedding for the Lap- 

 landers. It is soft and elastic, and serves 

 both for bed and covering. 



The Bog Moss covers deep bogs with 

 its spongy mats and makes good vegetable 

 mold and fertile soil. In Ireland and Scot- 

 land the poor use it for fuel. 



The Feather Moss grows in shady places and is very small. It 

 is said that Mungo Park, the great African explorer, when on his 

 travels once lost his way. He was so wearied and exhausted that 

 he lay down dejected, and was on the point of despair. He was in 

 the midst of a wild country, surrounded by savage animals and 

 savage men. "I was ready to lie down 

 and die," he wrote. Just at that mo- 

 ment his eye fell on a carpet of moss. 

 He picked one of the small plants and 

 examined it. The beauty of the pale 

 green plants, the perfect leaves, all so 

 fondly tended, made him feel that his 

 Heavenly Father, who had formed the tiny plant and preserved it 

 in this desert place, would not abandon him. He gained new 

 hope and strength, and arising, went on his journey. 



BOG Moss 



