FLOWERLESS PLANTS 



391 



Note the great variety of form and also the great variety of 

 habitats, that is, the places and conditions where they grow, 

 on trees, on moist ground, fin rocks, on cliffs. Note the 

 general leafy structure, the hair-roots, and the varied spore- 

 cases at the top of the 

 stems. Examine these 

 cases with a magnifying 

 glass and note the inter- 

 esting ways in which the 

 cases open, by valves, 

 chinks, and lids. Can 

 you see the spores ? 



Growing in wet places 

 on ledges and cliffs, and 

 on boards near springs 

 or in damp ravines in 

 shady places, are flat, 

 lobed plants, the Liver- 

 worts. These are at- 

 tached by numerous 

 hair-roots. On the up- 

 per surface may be seen 



Diainlv the larjre breath- F1G.167. Liverwort Encrusting a Dark, Moist Cliff. 



ing pores. The surface of the plant is marked off in diamond- 

 shaped areas, the breathing pores being at their centres. 

 At maturity one will find umbrella-like projections growing 

 on the plant. These are the spore holders. There also 

 may be little cup-like structures with egg-like masses in 

 them. These also are reproductive devices, the little egg- 

 hke masses breaking off, washing away, and germinating 

 into new plants. 



