MOSSES WITH A HAND-LENS 



Family i. SphAGNACEAE. The Peat Mosses. 



HE Peat Mosses (PI. III.) are so different from the other 

 mosses that many bryologists do not consider them as 

 mosses at all, but would put them in a separate class. 

 Their protonema is much like the prothallium of a fern, 

 and the stalk upon which the capsule is borne is not at 

 all homologous with the seta of the other mosses, as it is an out- 

 growth from the gametophyte and not the lower portion of the 

 sporophyte, i. e., it is developed from the moss plant instead of 

 from the fertilized egg-cell. The structure of the leaves is also 

 very different from that of the other mosses. The leaves of some 

 species are pink or deep red and furnish microscopic mounts of 

 very great beauty. 



Although the Sphagnaceac consists of but one genus, the 

 number of species is very large and the distinctions are very 

 puzzling, so that only two or three of the commonest and most 

 easily recognized species are here discussed. 



Economically, the Peat Mosses are of more value than any 

 others. In many portions of Ireland and Scotland peat is almost 

 the only fuel supply of the peasantry. In the United States there 

 is an abundant supply of peat. Dana estimates that there are 

 15,000,000,000 cubic feet in Massachusetts alone. Cheaper and 

 more satisfactory fuels are so abundant that peat is little used in 

 this country. 



The memorable coal strike of 1902-03 called attention to our 

 enormous and easily accessible supply of fuel of this sort, and 

 some attempts were made to utilize this source of fuel supply. 

 During the civil war, when coal was scarce and high-priced, peat 

 was vised to a considerable extent, and if coal should again be- 

 come scarce and high-priced for any considerable time there is 

 no doubt that the peat supply of our country could be made to 

 furnish fuel for its needs for a century or more. At present it 

 is not likely to compete with coal, because people are unfamiliar 

 with its use, and the demand has not warranted any great invest- 

 ment in plants for scientifically preparing it for market. Those 

 interested in the matter should read an article by Mr. S. 

 Power, in the " Outlook " for January 17, 1903. 



Peat Mosses grow in and near water in swamps. They 

 keep growing at the top and dying below. Sticks, leaves, and 

 other vegetable matter is washed in among the decaying stems. 



