LICHENS AND THT: NATURALIST. 65 



It would also be advisable for the beginner to pur- 

 chase a set of lichens already named by some good 

 autliority on lichens. A set of from fifty to one hun- 

 dred lichens typical of the United States can be had 

 for from five to ten dollars. These lichens would be 

 found very useful as helps in the identification of most 

 genera and species. 



This general advice is intended to point out the way 

 as to the procedure in the identification of species. 

 Great patience is necessary. Do not expect impos- 

 sibilities ; if you determine one out of every six 

 species collected you have done well ; if you deter- 

 mine them all you are a genius and should make lichen- 

 ology your life-work. In any case the mere name adds 

 little to our appreciation of the lichen ; it is the 

 knowledge of its true relation to other things which 

 makes it interesting. 



III. THE PRESERVATION OF LICHENS. 



Fortunately lichens are very easily preserved ; they 

 require less care than any of the other groups of plants. 

 Some skill is, however, necessary to prepare a really 

 fine collection, or herharirim, as it should be more tech- 

 nically called. Some collectors will no doubt find use 

 for lichens for decorative purposes, but the prime ob- 

 ject of the great majority of lichenologists in making 

 collections will be to arrange them in some suitable 

 manner, with the view to accumulating a lichen-herba- 

 rium of fine, large, well-preserved, well-mounted speci- 

 mens. With this in mind, we shall consider especially 

 the preservation of the foliose and fruticose lichens. 



