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The Museum Gazette 



LABELS FOR COMMON MOSSES. 



[For a Vivarium in March.] 



COMMON HAIR MOSS (Polytrichum commune). 



Stems long, not branched. Leaves very long and spread- 

 ing, recurved, and toothed. Sporangium (the urn which 

 contains the spores) four-sided. A very common species 

 in woods and on heaths, especially on wet sandy soils. 

 Bearing fruit in early summer. Forming dense tufts a foot 

 or more across. Used by the Laplanders for " bed and 

 bedding." (For other economic uses see White's " Selborne," 

 Letter XXVI.). {Polytrichacece.) 



SWAN'S-NECK THREAD MOSS (Mnium hornum). 



Stems elongated. Leaves spear-shaped (lanceolate), with 

 thick edges. Capsule large and drooping, with a hemi- 

 spherical lid. Fruiting early in spring. A very common 

 and showy species, forming large pale green tufts of foliage 

 in shady moist woods and lanes in hilly districts. (Bryacea.) 



COMMON BOG MOSS {Sphagnum cymbifolium). 



Stems ranging from i to 12 inches in length. Branches in 

 bundles of three, four or five together, some drooping, others 

 spreading. In fruit from June to August. The male flowers 

 may be found in March in the upper branches of the stem. 

 Very common in moorland bogs and damp woods. (Sphagnacece .) 



Bog mosses absorb the rain upon hillsides, and gradually let it 

 down. Their leaves are specially adapted for this purpose, being 

 composed of bag-like cells. There is a hole in each cell which is 

 held open by a spring (spiral) within, allowing the water to pass 

 easily in and out. These spirals can be seen with a good, microscope. 

 Bog mosses form peat, and are extensively used by gardeners for 

 packing. 



