LICHENS. 



THE classification, which has been adopted in the following list, was 

 suggested by Dr. O. V. Darbishire, and is based upon that proposed by Dr. 

 Eeinke (Pringsheim^s Jahrbuch. 1894-1896). It has not, however,been thought 

 advisable to subdivide the genera Lecanora and Lecidea. A thorough 

 and critical revision of all the species described in Crombie's and Leighton's 

 works would be certainly necessary if they are to be included in such a 

 system, and of course any such revision was quite impossible in the time at 

 our disposal. Dr. O. V. Darbishire has with the greatest kindness examined 

 a very great number of specimens, and his help has been invaluable in the 

 preparation of the list. Many others, especially Lecideas and Graphideae, 

 have been critically examined by the Rev. W. Johnson, whose assistance has 

 also been of the greatest value. The compiler must also express his gratitude 

 to the authorities of the British Museum, and to Professor Bayley Balfour, 

 for permission to consult the herbaria in London and Edinburgh respectively, 

 and to Messrs. L. Watt, J. Murray, D. A. Boyd, and J. Paterson for many 

 interesting specimens and notes. 



It is unfortunately only too evident that the district has been insufficiently 

 explored, yet every attempt has been made to include all trustworthy 

 records. Many species, which occur in the list submitted to the British 

 Association in 1876, are not mentioned in the following one ; these consist of 

 forms found on Ben Lawers, or in other places beyond our boundaries. 



The committee hoped to obtain the valuable assistance of Dr. Stirton, the 

 compiler of the previous list, but to their great regret we found that he was 

 unable to undertake the work. The very short time available has been 

 a great obstacle, and a great many species collected by myself are not 

 mentioned at all, in default of proper verification by the referees. The 

 authority of Leighton, Crombie, or Dr. Stirton, and the opinion of Dr. 

 Darbishire, or the Rev. W. Johnson has been considered as decisive. Very 

 few records have been permitted to appear if not confirmed by one or other 

 of these lichenologists. 



There is a distinct similarity in the distribution of the lichens as compared 

 with that of the flowering plants. Certain species are found on mountain 

 summits, and again on rocks by the seashore, though they are apparently 

 absent from the cultivated ground, low hills, and other less exposed places. 

 A large number are almost confined to the Inveraray and Loch Lomond 

 districts (A and B), though some reappear about Loch Doon (L), where there 

 is probably another sub-alpine region. But whilst Glen Falloch, for instance, 

 has been explored by almost every British lichenologist of note, very few 

 seem to have visited any part of the Lowlands except the Falls of Clyde. 

 It is probable that a large number may have escaped notice, especially 

 in such places as Ballantrae, which have been but rarely visited by botanists. 



G, F. SCOTT ELLIOT. 



