LICHENS 



Lichen Attached by Black 

 Fibers on the Under Sur- 

 face. 



Lichens ! What are they? You have probably seen 

 them again and again, but did not know them. Not a 

 rock peeps above the surface of the soil but has these 

 small plants growing upon its 

 top and sides. Some, sprinkled 

 over stones and withered tufts 

 of moss, look like white and 

 yellow flowers; others are like 

 ink stains on the smooth tops 

 of posts and fallen trees ; on the 

 bark of trees may be seen many 

 patches of bright green, while 



long streaming tufts of grayish green hang from the 

 branches. 



''Some are reddish, some brown, some gray, and some 

 black. 

 And they're puckered, edged, buttoned or fringed, 



front and back; 

 Some are lying like leather close under your feet, 

 Some waving from trees in the forests you'll meet." 



Lichens are composed of two parts. One gives nour- 

 ishment to the plant, and the other bears the spores. 



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