520 WILD FLOWERS OF 



While great part of the fimgi are geodical, deriving 

 their nutriment from the earth, though called into 

 their transient existence by meteoric causes, the 

 lichens may be considered as aerial, for though peren- 

 nially fixed to the rocks on which they grow, and hence 

 called by LIHMIUS vernaculi, or bond-slaves, yet in 

 fact they derive all their nutriment from the air, and 

 the more that is saturated with vapour, the more they 

 nourish and extend themselves. Hence misty moun- 

 tain tops, damp groves, and the vicinity of the sea, 

 nourish more lichens than other places, and indeed it 

 may be said that the lichen tribe only increase and 

 extend themselves in wet weather. How often with 

 mournful eye do we look up to the sombre skies which 

 at this season of the year pour their dripping trea- 

 sures with melancholy pattering upon the fallen 

 leaves and denuded trees ; how often is the misty 

 vapour that wreathes the mountain's brow, and in- 

 volves the streams and woods in its monotonous 

 mantle of grey, regarded with a muttering murmur, 

 as it rolls nearer and nearer, and at last flaps its dewy 

 fingers upon our window panes, while some martyr to 

 the rheumatism vainly turning his stiff and aching 

 shoulder, slowly staggers to his easy chair ! But, sad 

 as this aspect of things may at first sight appear, 



" When rain in torrents wood and vale deform, 

 And all is horror, hurricane, and storm," 



there are many things to answer by it in the economy 

 of nature, and among these is the growth and spread 

 of the lichens. As the rain descends, how these crus- 

 taceous plants, almost invisible before, extend them- 

 selves on every side, rioting in the moisture they drink 

 up, and which they must enjoy while they can, for, 



