Sa 
21 
writer was much interested last winter in noticing a tree which was 
well clothed with lichens. Half round there was a thick coating 
of snow, and, under this, the lichens were fresh and well-coloured, 
whilst those exposed to the dry and cold wind were very withered 
looking or powdery. It is by the crumbling away of the thallus 
that the gonidia are set free. The terms ‘‘ annual” and “ biennial’ 
ean have no application to lichen-life, which is seen to be so truly 
perennial. It is by a powdery disintegration that the thallus is 
eventually destroyed, but which of the many species now known 
hold out longest it is not possible to say. It is, however, known 
that some of our common species require many years for the pro- 
duction of their so-called fructification. The winter finds the 
botanist plenty of work amongst the lichens as well as the mosses, 
so that they who wish to study vegetable life can find plenty of 
material all the year round. Surely these humble plants—these 
lich’ens or li’chens—to which your attention has been called this 
evening, are interesting things. Poets may not have sung their 
praises, and thousands of even eager botanists, in, their search for 
other plants, may have passed them without any misgivings, but 
they have their charms, and, indeed, their special ‘« points ” are of 
quite exceptional interest. 
Dr. T. Eastes presided. A large number of specimens were 
shown, and illustrations given on the blackbeard. A short discus- 
sion afterwards took place, in which.Mr. Haydon, Dr. Morris, and 
others too part. The attendance was good. 
Dr. Fitzgerald was able to confirm, from actual observation, 
what had been stated as to the occurrence of lichens in very high 
latitudes. 
June 22nd, 1889. 
A ramble in search of orchids took place on the slopes of Castle 
Hill in the afternoon. The attendancé was very small. Specimens 
of Orchis maculata, O. pyramidalis,'Gymnadenia conopsea, Ophrys 
apifera, and O. arachnites were gathered. The Secretary gave a 
brief description of the fertilization of orchids, as illustrated by the 
specimens gathered. y 
A field day was arranged in August at Sandling Park, but as 
only four or five members sent in their names, it did not take 
place, 
