86 
characteristics of this class, the plants themselves being so small 
they would be practically invisible to the naked eye in the exhibi- 
tion cases. 
tep forward brings us to the Bryophyta. This group i 
best known through the mosses which form its largest division. 
group 
is now shown by means of ccna eee and ane of the 
dissections of various organs, and Be- 
fore we come to the mosses proper we chive the ee or 
Sphagnum ; the peat-mosses are well known to many people; 
t re very characteris cur mai s. The 
specimens and plates of dissections which illustrate this group are 
accompanied by a piece of peat or turf fro rope, where the 
peat deposits are of great economic importance and are made up 
largely of the remains of these plants 
mosses proper as a class are not very particular in regard 
H 
more particular as to their habitat. ne will ae thrive on 
preserve in th ses of closely set pl. calcar ufa, 
Other species prefer ground that has been burnt r, as species 
of Funaria and Leptobryum. Others grow only on the bones of 
dead animals or places animal re’ 
e 
visible in the tuft of plants. Many mosses will grow only under 
water where they thrive luxuriantly as shown by the specimens 
of ie 
st highly developed group of the flowerless plants, 
ead an Pteridophyta, or the ferns and fern-allies, attract the 
attention of a greater number of people than any other group of 
