393 
Order IY. MUSCI. 
Cellular, usually tufted plants, rarely more than a few inches high and 
usually much less, with distinct erect or prostrate stems, generally branched 
but sometimes quite simple ; cells and tubes composing the stems and 
leaves without transverse bars or spiral threads, except in Sphagnum. Leaves 
imbricate distichous or 3— 8-farious, sometimes of two forms, one larger, 
the other resembling stipules ; never lobed or divided ; margin entire or 
toothed, sometimes thickened. The leaves at the base of the fruitstalk 
usually differ from the others, and are called perichcetial leaves. Reproduc- 
tive organs of two kinds : capsules , containing minute spores, produced from 
archegonia ; and antheridia, which are minute membranous sacs, by means 
of whose contents the archegonia are fertilized. I. Capsule {theca, spo- 
rangium :) lateral or terminal on the branches, rarely radical, sessile or on a 
fruitstalk {seta), globose oblong-ovoid turbinate or pyriform, terete or an- 
gular, equal at the base or with a swelling ( apophysis or struma ) at its union 
with the fruitstalk, indehiscent or bursting by 4 valves at the sides {An- 
drecea'), or most commonly by a transversely deciduous cap ( operculum ), co- 
vered by a deciduous calyptra, which is entire (mitriform), or split on one 
side {dimidiate or cucullate). The operculum, on falling away, exposes a cir- 
cular orifice or mouth of the capsule, which is usually open, rarely closed (in 
Polytrichum and its allies) by a transverse membrane ; rim of the mouth 
naked or crowned with 1-3 concentric rows of appendages {peristome), con- 
sisting, 1. of the annulus, a row of loose cells that often curls upon removal ; 
2. of theouter peristome, a row of erect or incurved teeth, often reflexed when dry, 
separate or variously combined, free or united by transverse bars {trabeculate), 
simple or forked, straight or tortuous; 3. of the inner peristome, consisting of a 
fine membrane split into cilia or teeth ; this membrane lines the capsule to 
its bottom, and is there drawn up as an axis or central column {columella). 
Spores numerous, escaping from the mouth of the capsule, green yellow or 
brown, simple or combined, without external covering or markings. II. An- 
theridia : Oblong or linear, stalked, membranous sacs, mixed with jointed 
filaments {paraphyses), surrounded by whorls of leaves {perigonia), either 
axillary or terminal on the stems or branches. The sacs have open mouths, 
and contain a multitude of cells, each with an enclosed spiral filament {anthero- 
zoid) endowed with motion. When the antheridia are on the same plant 
with the capsule, the Moss is called monoecious ; when on separate, dioe- 
cious ; in fewer cases the antheridia and archegonia (which become capsules) 
are found intermixed in the same inflorescence. 
One of the most beautiful tribes of plants, found in all parts of the globe except the driest, 
abounding in temperate perennially humid latitudes, as the west coast of New Zealand, which 
is veiy rich in species. 
The capsules, from whose form and structure the main divisional and generic characters 
are drawn, are thus developed. The female inflorescence, as it is called, consists of a ter- 
minal or axillary bundle of two or more archegonia, mixed with jointed filaments, and sur- 
rounded by perichsetial leaves. Archegonia are very slender, erect, cellular, flagon-shaped 
bodies, tumid and hollow at the base, the hollow being continuous upwards to the tip, which 
is open ; a minute loose cell is contained in the base of their cavity. The process of ferti- 
lization has never been observed, but it is believed that one or more of the autherozoids, 
having escaped from the antheridia, find their way into the cavity of the archegonium, and 
VOL. I. 2d 
