MUSCI. 
•245 
numerous and minute. In some genera the veil is wanting, which 
serves as a distinction in the order. The barren flower of mos- 
ses consists of a number of nearly cylindrical, almost sessile an- 
thers, the fertile flowers of one pistil, seldom more, accompanied 
by several barren pistils. Both stamens and pistils are intermixed 
with numerous succulent threads. You may here observe {i’'ig- 
48 ,) the different parts of mosses; (a) represents the capsule ; ( b ,) 
Fig. 48. 
the pedicel or stem, (c,) the sheath, which before the pedicel grew up, 
served as a kind of calyx, to protect the embryo fruit ; (r/) the 
operculum or lid which before the capsule is ripe is covered by 
the calyptra ; (e) the calyptra, or veil ; f the fringe or teeth 
which when the capsule is ripe, and has thrown off its other 
parts often appear around its edge ; ( g ,) the barren or stamin- 
ate flower of a moss. 
The mosses are generally perennial and evergreen, and capa- 
ble of growing in colder climates than most other vegetables. 
In Spitzbergen, the rocks which rise from the surrounding ice, 
are thickly clothed with moss. A botanist who travelled in 
Greenland, counted more than twenty different species without 
rising from a rock where he was seated. The parts of the 
mosses which have been described are not seen without the as- 
sistance of a good microscope. It is not to be expected that 
young botanists will be fond of this department of the science, 
although those who become acquainted with it, discover much 
enthusiasm in its pursuit. The following interesting remarks 
on Cryptogamous plants are taken from an English writer. 
“ Mosses and Ferns, by the inconsiderate mind, are deemed 
an useless or insignificant part of the creation. That they are 
not, is evident from this, that he who made them has formed 
nothing in vain, but on the contrary has pronounced all his 
The inconsiderate may think mosses and ferns an insignificant part 
creation — Varioususes — Different parts of mosses. — 
21 * 
