NATURE STUDY MADE EASY 97 



Go, then, into the wood and lanes, and collect these beautiful 

 mosses, which strike their tiny roots into the soil, and fix themselves 

 in any crevice they can find. Bring them home and care for them. 



These tiny mosses have many uses. They appear before the 

 blossoms, and they remain long after the summer flowers have 

 gone. They make storehouses for wandering insects. The birds 

 use their leaves to build their nests, and they feed on the moss 

 spores. They make rich mold and keep the soil moist around 

 roots of ferns and bushes. Their matted roots protect the rocks 

 on which they grow from falling apart. 



Have you ever noticed how difficult it is to pull apart the roots 

 of mosses ? Small as they are, the roots strike so firmly into rocks 

 and stone that it is almost impossible to move them. 



The Moss 



There is a fresh and lovely sight, 

 A beauteous heap, a hill of moss, 

 Just half a foot in height. 

 All lovely colors there you see, 

 All colors that were ever seen ; 

 And mossy network too is there, 

 As if by hand of lady fair 

 The work had woven been. 



Ah me ! what lovely tints are there 

 Of olive green and scarlet bright. 

 In spikes, in branches, and in stars, 

 Green, red, and pearly white ! 



WILLIAM WORDSWORTH, Adapted. 



