MOSSES AND LIVERWORTS 69 



the moss plant in the soil. These must not be 

 thought of as roots, for such underground organs 

 are not found in the mosses. It is obvious that 

 in the absence of true roots some special means 

 of securing moisture are necessary ; the matter 

 being of great interest is dealt with somewhat 

 fully on a succeeding page. 



In addition to the method of increase by 

 spore production which has been outlined, some 

 kinds of moss are able to reproduce their kind 

 by the production of brood bodies, or gemmce, 

 as they are called. These represent little col- 

 lections of advanced cells borne directly on 

 the leaves of the mosses, yet capable of giving 

 rise to new plants when they become separated 

 from the parent. It should be noted in this 

 connection that the brood bodies are produced 

 without any sort of fertilisation. The most likely 

 kind to meet with bearing brood bodies is the 

 Four-tooth Moss {Tetr aphis fellncida), which 

 should be sought for on the lower parts of old 

 trees or decaying portions of wood. Many of 

 the showy green stems end in small cups, which 

 contain brood bodies capable of giving rise to 

 fresh plants when, after being detached, they 

 settle down into moist places. 



