176 Bastow, Lichen-Flora of Victoria. [vo?'xxx 



with the rock or tree on which it grows, as in Lecidea geographica 

 and in Graphis. 



The apotheciiim is the principal character of the hchen. It 

 is the fruit, and " by their fruits ye shall know them." If, 

 with a sharp knife, we cut across an apothecium, we shall find 

 the spore-sacs, or thecae, nestled in the midst of a number of 

 paraphyses or upright filaments, and the tops of these filaments 

 form the top or coloured part of the apothecium (fig. 112). They 

 may be white, red, black, yellow, or brown, and the colour is a 

 specific character ; but the most important specific character 

 is the shape and colour of the spores contained in the spore-sac 

 or theca. The spore may be one-celled, two-celled, or many- 

 celled, and with the colour it is very characteristic. 



Sometimes a difhculty is found in identifying the spores. 

 They may have been all shot out during a shower, but, as a 

 rule, they may be found, if looked for diligently. They are 

 hard and glassy, and cannot well be mistaken for anything 

 else than spores ; but have a care lest they are fungus spores. 

 Many a time have my dreams been dispelled, when I found a 

 curious spore, when I was informed that it was only a fungus 

 spore. I had to go back and find the spore, in which, as a rule, 

 I succeeded. This is the point where the slogging comes in — 

 i.e., close apphcation to the subject in hand. 



The spores are of various forms — some are elliptic, some are 

 long and narrow, some are crescent-shaped, and some are very 

 minute and round. The colours are also most important. 

 They may be hyahne or clear, or fuscous (light brown), and a 

 little dilute iodine often reveals forms that would otherwise 

 remain invisible. I recommend a good J-inch objective for 

 spore-hunting. The part of the apothecium examined should 

 be absolutely powdered with a knife in a drop of water on a 

 glass slip. The theca or spore-sac must be burst, then the 

 spores are let out, and can be distinctly observed. 



Some lichens much resemble sheep's dung both in colour and 

 form — the genus Heterodia, for instance (fig. 31) ; but if the plant 

 is immersed in water for a few minutes it opens out in beautiful 

 green fronds. This plant is found amongst the grass near 

 Kew Asylum. 



I shall never forget one little episode at Ferntree Gully. I 

 arranged with a very particular friend to return home by the 

 6 p.m. train, and so, being hungry and tired, we had a cup of 

 tea at the kiosk, and, having a half-hour to spare, we observed 

 a fallen tree. This was a glorious opportunity to collect, and 

 we were soon at its side. We just revelled amid the hchens, 

 and obtained a number of them ; then, looking at my watch, 

 I called out to my companion, Mr. Wilson, and shouted, 

 " Come on, let's run for it ! " but, as we were soon out of 



