%%. 
ANALYSIS OF 
nature In all her works. Mechanifm of the Capfules of Fern, 
l6g, Difficulty of viewing the Capfules of Fern through a 
rnicrofcope. Capfules opened by the warmth of the breath. 
Have the appearance of being alive j dextrous management, 
and patience required in viewing them. Root of Polypodium 
Vulgare refembles the large kind of caterpillars. 170, Errour 
in the defcription of Polypodium Vulgare by eminent Botaniftsj 
afcribed by Mr. Curtis to too great deference to authority, 
Errour of Tournefort in delineating the Capfules of the Poly- 
podium Genus without rings j one of the many inftances of 
the fallacy of authority, 171, Polypodium Vulgare appears 
deftitute of the membrane by which the Capfules of all the 
other fpecies are enclofed. The Fern tribe opens an ample 
field of difcovery to modern Botanifts. Practice can alone 
make us acquainted with the different Genera of Ferns. Simi- 
larity of their Fructifications. Capfules varioully placed on 
the Fronds ; precife generic character not eafily afcertained, 
.172, Plates and remarks of Mr. Curtis, in his London Flora^ 
particularly ufeful in the ftudy of Ferns, 
LECTURE IV ? 
Mo/fts, Flags, and Fungufes, 
Page 177* Moffes, a tribe of plants little underftoodj 
beauty and ufe of Moffes. The opinion that they impoverifh 
the ground on which they grow, erroneous. Roots of Moffes 
penetrate but a little way into the earth. 178, Referable 
Ever-greens. Fuel, called Peat, formed from the roots of Mofs. 
Peat-fuel not exclufively derived from Mofs. J 79, Whole 
trees enter into the compofition of a Peat- bed. Mofs retains 
moifture a long time, without becoming putrid ; it's ufe to 
gardeners. The diftin® Fructifications of Moffes well eftabliflied 
lines 
