66 THE CANADIAN NATURALIST. 



maple is likewise found another curious lichen (^Jungerman- 

 nia) consisting of a multitude of small, very close, brownish- 

 black ramifications : these black patches are usually small. 

 Ash, elm, leverwood, basswood, and sometimes birch, have 

 their trunks clothed with larger and thicker masses : a 

 branchy moss {^Hypnum ?) of a dull green, occurs, mixed 

 with a bright green moss {Hypnum ?), in large loose 

 bunches, covering great portions of the trunk together. With 

 these there is often found a large, broad lichen {Puhnonaria), 

 pale brownish grey, palmated like the horns of a deer : this 

 is usually found on leverwood {Ostrya Virginka.) The first 

 mentioned, and perhaps some of the others, often occurs on 

 rails and boards which have been much exposed to the 

 weather. 



C. — There seems to be great variety in the different 

 lichens. 



F, — Yes ; and their number is very great ; but from 

 the minuteness of many, and the obscurity which exists in 

 the fructification of all, much difficulty is found in arranging 

 them, and they are yet comparatively unknown, even to 

 botanists. Indeed the study of the Cryptogamia may be 

 considered as a science in itself, requiring a close, undivided, 

 and continued attention. 



C — The spring begins to announce its approach by the 

 increasing power of the sun ; the snow melts, and becomes 

 soft and " rotten" as it is called, even when the temperature 

 in the shade is much below 32.° The runners of sleighs cut 

 through the snow, and rest on the ground : travelling will 

 soon be over for a while. 



F — We may have heavy snow-storms, and some very 

 cold weather yet. Spring does not come in a day : old Win- 

 ter is loth to give up his dominion, and does not resign it 

 without many struggles. 



