CHAPTER XXIII. 



LICHENS. 



" Where o'er the jutting rocks soft mosses creep, 

 Or coloured lichens with slow oozing weep." 



Coleridge. 



T was a great fair in the good town of Looe, and 

 as botanical specimens w^ere not among the 

 commodities to be procured there, we took 

 biscuits in our pockets, and set off for a long excursion, 

 which should occupy great part of the short February 

 day. We crossed the bridge, and took to the west side 

 of the river, following its course seaward, and rounding 

 the shoulder of the cliff shutting in the harbour, and then 

 making; for the rocks alone; the coast, called Hannaford. 



From the steep path the scene was very striking. An 

 open space close to the beach on the east side was filled 

 with cattle, while the few narrow streets adjoining were 

 crowded with farmers and drovers. Along the roads 

 various groups of young beasts, which had already found 

 purchasers, were being driven, and every ship in the har- 

 bour displayed its flag in honour of the important occa- 

 sion. Away to sea lay the Looe Island, girt with rocks, 

 between which and the shore the passage is so shallow 

 that it is not safe for schooners, except when the tide is 



