9VSG1. 229 



by their surface ; many of them float without any at- 

 tachment."* 



These plants, notwithstanding their simple structure, 

 and humble aspect, are all, important in the economy of 

 vegetation. Like the Mosses, they abstract nourish- 

 ment from the atmosphere, and by their decay enrich 

 the soil over which they spread, and cover with a fer- 

 tile mould, the rocks to which they are attached. 



The Rein Deer of the North is supported by the 

 branched coralline lichen, Cenomycerangiferina which 

 grows luxuriantly beneath the Lapland snows, at a 

 season when the vegetation of all other plants is abso- 

 lutely arrested. 



The Iceland Moss, Cetraria Icelandica thrives in a 

 country where no kind of grain reaches maturity, and 

 is pulverized by the inhabitants who use it as food. It 

 is indeed the best food which consumptive patients can 

 use, and for them, it is imported into the United States. 

 Probably some of our own Lichens might answer the 

 same valuable purposes. We know that the Lungwort 

 Pulmonaria has possessed a high reputation, and fur- 

 ther investigation may establish its efficacy as a medi- 

 cine. 



Many of the Lichens have been employed in the 

 arts ; some as affording colouring materials and others 

 as yielding mucilage, which has been substituted for 

 the more costly gums of Crete and Arabia. 



5. FUNGL 



The only remaining order of imperfect plants em- 

 braces the Fungi or Mushrooms. Destitute of leaves 



• Smith. 



