166 GUIDE TO THE STUDY OF LICHENS. 



12. Bryopogon. 



This group is evidently closely related to Alectoria, 

 as is indicated by the histological characters. The 

 thallus is long, pendulous, typically fruticose ; much 

 branched, lobes cylindrical, only slightly compressed at 

 the joints. In a transverse section of the thallus it is 

 found to be nearly hollow in the middle, no central 

 core being present (also true of Alectorid). Color 

 black. Apothecia few, small to medium, lateral. 

 Disk dark, entire, somewhat convex. Spores are 

 small, simple, colorless, eight in each spore-sac (nor- 

 mal number). It must also be kept in mind that the 

 Alectorias as well as Bryopogons are frequently sterile. 



The species occur upon rock, soil, trees and ferns 

 in the higher altitudes and latitudes. 



1. Bryopogon Oregana. Thallus comparatively 

 small, more or less erect, much branched, compara- 

 tively rigid, black. Apothecia medium, comparatively 

 numerous. Disk dark to black. Spores typical, 6/a 

 X 4.5;a. 



2. Bryopogon juhata. Thallus long, pendulous, 

 much branched, branches long and entangled, some- 

 times bearing soralia, brown to black. Apothecia 

 very few or wanting, lateral. Disk of same color as 

 thallus. Spores typical of the genus. 



This is without doubt a most striking lichen. In 

 its perfect development it resembles a tuft of woman's 

 tresses. Because of such a resemblance it has been 

 designated as " tree or rock hair." It has also been 

 called " horse-tail lichen," but this name is less apt 



