200 The SEVEN VEGETABLE FAMILIES. 
The Leaves form this globular body for the defence of the Rudiment 
of the Head, confequently thefe are mofl: compad; before its Stalk is form- 
ed, and while it is vet entirely in their holom ; they are fomewhat lefs 
folded over one another when the Stalk rifes ; but when it has done its of- 
fice, and is decayed, they feparate, and hang loofe. 
If we feparate a perfed Plant with care, at the time when it is in flower, 
we find it confifl: of three parts. A flender and bending Stalk, funporting 
the flowering head j a globular or oval clufler of Leaves growing round 
the bafe of that Stalk; and a long brownifh Root hung about with innu- 
merable Fibres. 
The naked eye fees no more; but few objeds better deferve a more 
Arid examination : the Microfeope fliews this little Bryum a magnificent 
as well as lingular Plant: differing not only in frudification, but in the 
ftrudure of its parts, from all other Plants. See Plate XVII. Fig. i. 
The Root is long, browm, and hung about with innumerable very long, 
and rtrangely entangled Fibres, it is abrupt at the lower end, not attenuat- 
ed ; and in the part between that and the bafe of this clufler of Leaves, 
mimicks a kind of Stem, but covered there alfo with the like Fibres, which 
rife from every part of it. The length and number of thefe Fibres from 
the fide and bafe of the Root, and their various entanglings, thofe of one 
Root with thofe of others, make it difficult to break the mafs; and often 
tye the feveral Plants fo clofely, that they feem to rife in the way of Suck- 
ers from one another : But careful obfervation fhews them to be really 
diflind ; the feveral Roots ufually falling obliquely over one another. None 
are fo eafily feparated as the old decayed Plants of the lafl year, whofe 
Fibres are by this lime withered away. 
From the fummit of the Root rife the Leaves which compofe the 
Globe ; and there are a few lefs perfed leafy Films between them. 
The Leaves which compofe the Globe are fix: the imperfed Films 
beneatli them ufually two. Each Leaf is of an oval form, but terminat- 
ed by a fliarp point, and they are hollowed. They refemble very much 
the Leaves of Tome of the Aloes : their colour is a fine green, and their 
fubflance beautifully reticulated ; not in the leafl: refembling other Leaves. 
The Stalk rifes from the head of the Root, furrounded by thefe Leaves, 
and in the upper part twifls ilfelf into a kind of circle. It is very fimple 
in its firudure ; and at firft green, but afterwards redifli. 
On the top of this grows the Head ; a part of very fingular firudure. 
It is of an oval fliape, fwelled almofl: into roundnefs, and is covered by 
a membranaceous Hood, called the Calyptra : this is extended loofely over 
3 the 
