74 ORDEKS. 



. Capsule, PI. 3, fig. 14, a. It is of one valve and 

 one cell, opening by a lid. 



S. Lid, (ppurculum.) PI. 3, fig. 15,6. Which is situ- 

 ated on the top and is covered by the calyptra. 



Observation. The capsule in most mosses has its orifice closed 

 by a fringe. 



4. Fringe, (peristomium.') PL 8, fig. 15 & 16, a. Which 

 is brought into view by removing the lid. It is either 

 simple or double. The number of teeth, remarkably 

 constant in each genus and species, is either 4, 8, ] 6, 

 32, or 64. 



Observation. 1. This part is a very interesting- object in the mi- 

 croscope. 



2. The stamens and pistih of mosses are so difficult to be ob- 

 served, that I believe no distinctions are founded on them. The 

 barren flowers of mosses consist of an indefinite number of nearly 

 cylindrical, almost sessile anthers ; the fertile flowers, of one, 

 rarely more, perfect pistils, accompanied by several barren ones. 

 Some' few species have the stamens and pistils associated in the 

 same flower, but they are generally separated. 



3. Hedwig raised mosses from the seed. 



3. HEPATICJE, Liverworts. Their herbage consists 

 of stem, leaf, and fructification, all united, hence call- 

 ed a frond. The capsules are destitute of a lid or opcr- 

 culum. 



4. A&GM, Flags. In this order the herbage is a 

 frond, sometimes a mere crust, sometimes of a leathery 

 or gelatinous texture. The seeds are imbedded either in 

 the frond itself or in some peculiar receptacle. 



To this order belong the seaweeds, &c. 23 the com- 

 mon weed upon rocks, between high and low water, 

 with blistery swellings, and the green fibrous substance 

 in fresh water; also the Lichens, very distinct from the 

 above, examples of which are seen in the green and 

 dark coloured patches on rocks, and in the light green 

 fibrous substance on trees. 



5. FUNGI, Mushrooms. PI. 2, fig. 9. These cannot 

 properly be said to have any herbage, Their subsance 



