244 
MUSCI. 
the various modes in which the fructification of ferns appears ; 
(a) genus folypodium or polypody with capsules in roundish 
spots on the back of the frond ; (6) asplenium, capsules in lines 
nearly parallel, diverging from the centre of the frond ; (c) 
blechnum, capsules in uninterrupted lines running parallel to 
the midrib of the frond on both sides ; ( d ) pteris or brake, 
capsules forming lines on the edge of the leaf. 
Some ferns bear their fruit in a peculiar appendage, as a spike 
or protuberance in the axils, or at the base of the leaves ; no 
appearance of flowers is ever presented. When the brown or 
white dust-like spots are examined with a microscope, they are 
found to consist of clusters of very small capsules, at first en- 
tire, but afterwards bursting elastically and irregularly. Besides 
attention to the situation and form of the capsules, it is necessa- 
ry to observe the membrane which envelopes them ; this is cal- 
led their involucrum. The seed is as minute as the finest pow- 
der, and so light as to be wafted by the air to any distance or 
height ; we thus often see ferns growing high on the trunks of 
trees, or on the summits of old buildings. Some ferns grow to 
a great height in southern latitudes, almost like trees. At the 
southern extremity of Van Dieman’s Land, a species has been 
found, whose trunks attained to the height of twelve or sixteen 
feet. One species in our country, Oxoclea sensibilis, called the 
sensitive fern, is said to wither on being touched by the human 
hand, though the touch of other substances does not produce 
any similar appearances. 
The number of species of ferns which are already known, 
amounts to about seven hundred. They generally abound in 
moist and shady situations, but are sometimes found on rocks 
and dry places and on the trunks and branches of old trees. 
The frond or leaf of the fern is often pinnate , or divided like a 
feather ; sometimes it is undivided and resembles a palm leaf. 
The equisetum hyemale is known to house keepers under the 
name of scouring rushes. The quantity of silex contained in 
the cuticle renders it a good substitute for scouring sand. 
Musci, or mosses. 
The 2nd ordpr contains the mosses, which are little herbs 
with distinct leaves, and often a distinct stem ; their conical, 
membranous corolla is called a calyptra or veil, its summit be- 
ing the stigma ; this veil clothes the capsules, which before the 
seed ripens, is elevated on a fruit stalk. The capsule is of one 
cell, and one valye, opening by a vertical lid ; the seeds are very 
Sensitive fern — Number of species — Where they generally abound — 
Scouring-rushes — Mosses. — 
