EXPLANATION OF THE PLATES. 



49 



Plate III. 



SPHAGNACE2E. 



Fig. 1. Generic Character. 



Fruit apparently on short lateral branches (cladocarpous) . Roots none. 

 Stems erect, branched, the branches in bunches round the stem [fascicled) . 

 Leaves set spirally on the stem, of singular texture, generally whitish- brown. 

 Areolae (a) long", waved, lined with spiral filaments, having small pores, the 

 whole, under the microscope, having the appearance of exquisite lace-work. 

 Monoicous or dioicous. Antheridia inserted singly among the leaves of the 

 perigonia. Archegonia at first sessile, but the recejjtacle elongating, and thus 

 separating the leaves of the perichastium, the fructification appears to be at the 

 end of a branch. Leaves of perichtetium sheathing. Capsule (h) black, 

 globular, shining, without peristome, without fruitstalk (sessile) ; that which 

 appears to be the fruitstalk being in reality the long vaginula. Lid concave, 

 flattened. Spores small. 



These mosses extend over larger spaces than any others with which we are 

 yet acquainted. In moorland districts the bogs are filled with them for miles;* 

 by their rapid growth they often choke up pools, and aid in the formation of peat. 

 They may be known by their generally washed-out, ragged look. Their colours 

 are chiefly dirty white, brown, dull lilac, crimson and green ; but in some species 

 the young plants form dense cushions of bright emerald green. The species are 

 numerous ; they will at first be found rather difficult to determine, but they are 

 soon distinguished by practice, and all will furnish an almost endless variety 

 of objects for the microscope, of which it is impossible to exaggerate the 

 wonder and the beauty. The capsule, examined with a condenser under a 

 power of twenty, is like a goblet carved in ebony, supported on a silver stem. 

 The leaves, each species having its own distinctive form of cell, but all having 

 cells of the same general shape, appear like lace which casts the productions 

 of Honiton and Brussels into the shade. A branch may be examined with a 



* They form the " Mosses " of northern districts, and from the associations connected with 

 " Mosses " and " Moss Trooper," the Sphagnum might be called the Historical Moss. 



