204 



THE AMERICAN MONTHLY 



[November, 



They grow abundantly on rocks, old 

 stumps, exposed tree roots, the with- 

 ered fronds of ferns, on mosses, 

 sheep's dung, mortar, and some have 

 been found on glass. They are na- 

 tives of the whole country side. 



" With such a liberal hand has Nature flung 

 Their- seeds abroad, blown them about in 



winds." 



Although our remarks partake more 

 of the character of hints than full sta- 

 tements, yet, on account of their 

 length already, we must at present 

 omit noticing the uses and applica- 

 tions of Lichens, with their classifica- 

 tion and geographical distribution ; 

 and we must proceed to give a few 

 suggestions on the method of studying 

 this group of plants. Now, the thing 

 of primary importance in the study of 

 any subject, is a definite object. To 

 fritter away our time over a score of 

 different things, answers no purpose 

 beyond a momentary gratification in 

 our own mind. It leaves no perma- 

 nent results, nor deep sense of satis- 

 faction. We must select where the 

 subjects before us are so many. Our 

 selection should be made with due 

 regard to the tastes and idiosyncra- 

 sies of our own minds, and the favo- 

 rableness of our circumstances for 

 the pursuit. With definite aim and 

 concentration of powers, we are sure 

 to work to some good end. Further, 

 it is not desired that any student of 

 Nature should content himself with 

 being merely a collector, classifier, or 

 herbarium-maker ; but that he should 

 seek a more intimate acquaintance 

 with things. Knowledge is only sound 

 and good in proportion as it is pro- 

 found ; for it is only when we know 

 the nature of things, that we can 

 assign them their proper place in sys- 

 tems, or increase their useful applica- 

 tion in daily life. In the study of 

 Lichens, the first thing needed is a 

 text book, or some source where we 

 can obtain a sufficient knowledge of 

 the plants, as to become a starting 

 point for our own observations. The 

 meagre notice taken of Lichens in 

 most Manuals of Botany, is of little or 



no use. Hitherto, it has hardly seemed 

 to come within the aim of books of 

 that class, to acquaint any one with 

 our Cryptogamia ; and Lichens, more 

 then any other group of plants, have 

 been ignored or neglected by them. 

 The best book, and the only suitable 

 one we have at present for a beginner 

 in Lichenology, is " A Popular His- 

 tory of British Lichens," by Dr. W. 

 L. Lindsay. This book is simply 

 and well written, also beautifully il- 

 lustrated. It costs about seven shill- 

 ings. After that, " A Manual of Bri- 

 tish Lichens," by W. Mudd, is a good 

 work, but it is scarce. The chief 

 book on the subject is " The Lichen- 

 Flora of Great Britain, &c.," by Rev. 

 W. A. Leighton, 3d Ed., 1879. Price 

 21s. This last work can only be used 

 after some acquaintance with the sub- 

 ject. In addition to the literature 

 mentioned, the student will find great 

 help from the possession or access to 

 a series of dried specimens. 



After the reading and study of the 

 text book, plants may be gathered. 

 For this purpose you may have to go 

 a considerable distance from home ; 

 but begin collecting nearest home first. 

 As you acquaint yourself with the 

 plants nearest your own immediate 

 neighborhood, then widen your area 

 of search. Select a fine day for col- 

 lecting. A little damp in the air will 

 be an advantage ; because some gela- 

 tinous and foliaceous Lichens growing 

 on stones, if very dry, are apt to break 

 and crumble in gathering. When in 

 that condition, we have sometimes 

 sprinkled them with water from an 

 adjoining stream ; and in a minute or 

 two, they have yielded beautifully to 

 the broadish point of the knife be- 

 neath them. Specimens should al- 

 ways be gathered, if possible, in fruit ; 

 and as near complete as can be. Pre- 

 parations should be made for this 

 out-door work. Put on clothes which 

 will neither trouble nor deter you 

 from thrusting yourself into any cor- 

 ner. Let your boots be such as will 

 cross swampy ground, or dip into a 

 stream without discomfort. You will 



