1 6 IJF.RNT LYNc;i:. ^ M.-X. Kl. 



Our kno\vl((l,t,M- of the flistribntion of the n<^)niibiquit<')U.s lichens varies. 

 Scimc f)l them li:i\c only Ix <n rccr)r(l((l at few statirtns in our country- 

 chiefly petites espèces that have passed unnoticed or that have been 

 proposed in recent years. Several of them were represented in the old 

 herbaria, undetermined or referred to more comprehensive names. For 

 instance Cladoiiia macrophyllodes in S. C. So.mmerfelt's herb. Such species 

 can only with uncertainty be referred to distinct geographical tribes, and 

 if we wish to make the attempt we must be prepared for subsequent 

 corrections. 



Each species has its own distribution, and there are not two species 

 of exactly the same distribution. Every grouping is to a certain degree 

 subjective, at least the more detailed subdivision. But we shall not have 

 worked long to find that there are two main groups in our liclirn flora: 

 one smaller group of lichens ivhich are nuich nwre common on our south 

 and lüesf coast than in inland and northern (i. e. north of Lofoten) provinces, 

 and one larger group of lichens which are nntcli more common in continental, 

 subalpine ami alpine regions, and in our northernmost provinces. 



The former group is related with corresponding plants in southern 

 and western countries, the latter with eastern and northern floras. 



It is hardly possible to find names quite covering these things. I have 

 designated them the coast flora, and the inland flora. These names are 

 used as termini, the word 'coast' for instance must not be mistaken for 

 the word 'strand'. 



The coast lichen flora in this wide limitation is characterized by a 

 considerable number of species the greater part of which are found in 

 Norway in a modest, perhaps even a small number of individuals, and 

 hardly one of them covers areas of noticeable size. — It should then be 

 remembered that this group does not include the social strand lichens, e. g. 

 Parmeliae of the saxatilis tribus, Rannilina angustissima, Lecanora atra, 

 L. halogenia or Verrucaria maura, for these lichens are ubiquitous in 

 Norway. 



The inland lichen flora is not poor in number of species, no station 

 in our country is richer than Knutsho. Many of them are 'rare', others 

 are 'common', but the most remarkable feature of the inland lichen flora 

 is the wide distribution of some lichens, several of which are extremely 

 abundant, covering large areas. Compared with the immense quantit}' of 

 continental lichens in our subalpine forests and on our mountains, the coast 

 lichens are like a drop in the ocean. 



It is clear that the plants of these two main groups are not arranged 

 on either side of one line. Many inland species extend to the sea, some 

 of them even as common plants, and coast species extend from the sea 

 towards more continental districts. 



