SS4 CRYPTOGAMIA ALG^. 



Pjmctlmes a blackifh colour. The flalks at firft 

 are very fmall and round, afterwards broader 

 and comprefs'd, not hollow within, but full of 

 a white Ipongy pith. Ihey are divided and 

 fubdivided into many fine branches, which are 

 widely fpread, the angles of the divarications 

 being obtufe and roundifh. The extremities of 

 the branches terminate in imall fbort acute fpinc! 

 or forks. The fubftance of the ftalks is rigid 

 and tough, fomewhat brittle when dry, their 

 furfacc fmooth and gloffy, but in the larger 

 and older fpecimens belet around with nume- 

 rous very minute innocent fpinules, efpecially 

 about the ilimmirs of the branches, which ap- 

 pear on that account rough and hifpid. Th« 

 young plants are generally deftitute of theli 

 ipinules, and terminate only with fliort acut« 

 horns or forks. 

 T he fruftifications are very rarely found. The) 

 grow upon the' extremities of the branches, ir 

 th(^ fhape of broad fiat fmooth fhields, of tht 

 fame colour as the leav^cs, their edges unequall) 

 defiex'd, and furrounded with fpinules. 

 The plants vary from half an inch to- an inch anc 

 a half in height ; and the fmallefl fpecimens 

 are the moll crowded or matted together. 

 Some authors have fuppofcd this Lichen to be onl 

 the young plants of the L. IJlandkus above 

 mentioned. See No, 41. 



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