MOSSES Will! \ HAND-LENS 



35 



THE SHAGGY MOSS 



THE Shaggy Moss [Hylocbmium triqutrhum (L.) B. & S. ] is 

 common on shaded banks that are neither extremely wet or 

 very dry. Its branches usually come out irregularly as 

 illustrated in the figure and its leaves stand straight out from the 



stem, giving it its 

 characteristic ragged 

 appearance. Some- 

 times in moist moun- 

 tain woods it branches 

 regularly and grows 

 to a height, or rather 

 length, of five or six 

 inches, so that one is 

 with difficulty per- 

 suaded that it is the 

 familiar moss of every 

 day acquaintance. 

 The stems are very 

 stout and stiff but 

 elastic, or "springy." 

 Because of its elas- 

 ticity this moss is 

 sometimes used for 

 packing china and 

 other brittle objects. 

 Although the Shag- 

 gy Moss is common, 

 its capsules are rather 

 infrequent. They ma- 

 ture in winter or early 

 Iry they are often regularly furrowed with dee]) 



Fig. 2Q. 



Hylocomium triquetrum \ 

 leaf X 4- 



stem 



spring; when 

 wide furrows. 



