610 : Mosses. [June, 
lies the ring or annulus upon which they are inserted. It varies 
much in its development. The capsules, it should be mentioned, 
are, at some period of their growth, clothed with a membranous 
cover, either entire like a candle extinguisher, when it is mitriform, 
or split on one side and hood-like, when it is cuculliform. This 
body, called the całyptra, is apt to be fleeting, and hence easily 
lost. It is often entirely absent in mature specimens, but is im- 
portant and should always be secured if possible. The capsules 
assume all kinds of forms—cylindric, oblong, globose, pyriform, 
unequal sided, obovoid, etc. The powdery particles they contain 
are the spores or sporules. The capsules are borne on thread-like 
pedicels, though sometimes nearly or quite sessile. An enlarge 
ment of the pedicel just below the urn is known as apophysts. The 
elongated receptacle of the flower takes the name of the vaginula. 
Often the capsules are immersed or partly hidden in the floral 
(perichetial) leaves, as in Fontinalis. “ Intermixed with the 
reproductive organs are cellular, jointed filaments ( paraphyses). 
Mosses have two kinds of reproductive organs, sometimes Sep 
rated on different plants (diæcious), but oftener found on distinct 
portions of the same plant (monecious). Some are even polyga- 
mous, The fruit of quite a number is not known at all. 
process of reproduction is quite recondite, and beyond the scop? 
of the present article. 
It should be said that the character of the stem and of the 
leaves is most important. The latter must be closely studied as 
to their shape, margins and appendages. The mid-rib may be 
prominent, forming a costa, or even prolonged above into an aw". 
The so-called arcolation or arrangement of the cells of the leaves 
is quite characteristic, assuming very beautiful geometric we 
In Sphagna, which some authors separate from true mosses, 
cate cross sections of the leaves must be examined. À 
There are many points of terminology and description pas 
which I have not here entered, indeed, the terms mee i 
tremely numerous, and to a beginner perplexing. One eee 
master them and their application only by persistent use pis. 
are usually defined in any good manual of mosses OF any oo 
botanical glossary. 
At every step of one’s work in the stud 
pressed with the extraordinary beauty of t 
The leaves are wonderful microscopic object 
he objects TS 
s, and the capsules 
y of mosses he is i A 
ee eer! ee We en ee 
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