Lichens of Iowa. 



By BRUCE FINK. 



PREFACE. 



It seems that lichens have been neglected somewhat in 

 lo.wa up to the present time. This becomes apparent when 

 we consider that there are quite as many species of lichens as 

 of most other kinds of cryptogams, and that not more than 

 twenty-four species have thus far been listed for the State. 



Surely the lichens are not more obscure than .most other 

 cryptogams. The trees are covered with them the State 

 over, giving them a most beautiful appearance, especially 

 after a rain. The writer has counted twenty species of 

 lichens on a single tree. The rocks too are in some instances 

 so completely over-run with them that the rock itself can 

 scarcely be seen, and here thev displav even greater beauty 

 of form and color than on the trees. One large rock in 

 Fayette county doubtless bears as many species of lichens as 

 are given for a single tree. 



The enumeration of Iowa lichens herewith presented is so 

 far as the writer is able to ascertain the first extended attempt 

 tp classify these plants in our State. In 1884 twent3'-four 

 species of lichens were included in the x\gricultural College 

 Bulletin with the other known plants of the State. If other 

 lists have been made in the State, a good deal of investigation 

 has not enabled me to find them. 



The writer collected in P'ayette county for two years and 

 made excursions duringf the time into Bremer, Winneshiek 

 and Clayton counties. Mr. T. J. Fitzpatrick collected in 

 Shelb}' and Johnson counties. Prof. L. H. Pammel. Mr. F. 



