LICHENS AND THE NATURALIST. 63 



of the Parmelias. In view of these facts, it would, 

 therefore, be advisable to expose the collected material ' 

 to sunlight until they are quite dry ; they can then 

 be safely stored away for an indefinite period of time. 



II. THE STUDY OF LICHENS. 



About the first thing to be done with the collected 

 material is to study it critically, with a view to deter- 

 mining the species. This can best be done at home, 

 where the necessary apparatus and conveniences may 

 be employed. It is also taken for granted that no 

 previous experience has been had in identifying lichens. 



Place the collected material on a convenient table; 

 now sort the lichens into heaps, placing those that 

 look alike together. Compare them carefully as to 

 color, branching, size, and form of the apothecia, etc. 

 Make liberal use of the pocket lens, and have the field 

 note-book at hand for reference. If the specimens are 

 dry and brittle moisten them by dipping in a basin of 

 water ; this will also restore their natural color. The 

 number of heaps indicates approximately the number 

 of species collected. 



The next step in the procedure is to select one of 

 the heaps of which the specimens have well-developed 

 apothecia. It is preferable, in most instances, to begin 

 with fruticose forms, only it must be remembered that 

 many of them are normally sterile, that is, tliey are 

 without apothecia. 



The next thing to be done is to determine the fam- 

 ily to which the plant under consideration belongs. » 

 This can be accomplished with the aid of the key and 



