216 LICHENS. 



microscope afterwards, we saw the closely packed cells of 

 the bark, the more loosely-collected and larger cells of 

 the medullary layer containing the gonidia, and the 

 elongated cells which form the fibrous under covering. 

 This is a very common lichen, and grows as luxuriantly 

 in the Highlands of Scotland and the dales of Yorkshire 

 as on this southern peninsula, Cornwall. It is as beauti- 

 ful as it is common, its leafy fronds, whether dry and gray, 

 or moist and olive, and its plentiful chestnut shields, form- 

 ing an attractive object among mosses, round tree roots, 

 or in the Alpine pasture and the sheltered grave-yard. 

 A pretty poem, which appeared some years since in 

 Chambers' Journal, must have been suggested by this 

 lichen : — 



"Ye dainty mosses, lichens grey, 

 Laid cheek on cheek in tender fold, 

 Each with a soft smile day by day 

 Returning to the mould. 



" Brown leaves that with aerial grace, 

 Slip from the branch like birds a-wing, 

 Each leaving in the appointed place, 

 Its bud of future spring. 



" If we, God's sentient creatures knew 

 But half your faith in our decay, 

 We should not tremble as we do, 

 AVhen He calls clay to clay. 



"But with an equal patience sweet 

 We should put off this mortal gear, 

 In whatsoe'er new form is meet, 

 Content to re-appear. 



