MOSSES. 85 
the manufacture of pills. It originates indepen- 
dently of any reproductive organs or fertilizing 
influence. Indeed it is these seeds in germination 
which develop the structure upon which the 
fertilizing organ, and the organ to be fertilized, 
are situated. The stems are perennial, and con- 
sist of a mass of thick walled, often dotted cells, 
enclosing one or more bundles of scalariform 
tissue, which send off branches to every leaf and 
bud. Among these bundles may be seen elon- 
gated cells, distinctly reticulated. This kind of 
tissue indicates a close relation to the ferns, and 
justifies the position in which they are usually 
placed by systematists. New fruit-axils are 
formed year after year, bearing their new cluster 
of seeds independent altogether of any fertilizing 
organs, such as antheridia and archegonia. The 
club-mosses are all very graceful and beautiful 
plants. The Spanish moss (Lycopodium denti- 
culatum) is a great ornament to conservatories 
and hot-houses, where it conceals with its luxuriant 
drapery the mould in the pots, and keeps the 
roots of the plants moist. Nothing can be lovelier 
or more elegant than a basket of orchids in full 
flower, with clusters of this moss drooping in 
careless grace from its sides. The common club- 
moss of our moors is often gathered by the peasan- 
try to festoon the ornaments of their mantelpieces ; 
