64 PACIFIC STATES FLORAL CONGRESS. 



to enter an open wound and feed upon the living tissues, while others 

 pass into the body with the breath or food, and begin their rapid or 

 more delayed work as producers of disease. To successfully combat 

 their work is the great problem of medicine. Very much has been 

 learned within the last twenty-five years; very much more, it is safe 

 to say, will be known before the end of the next quarter century. 

 Man is fast learning to obey the divine command, with its implied 

 promise, to go forth and subdue nature. 



Leaving now this great subject, with its. manifold attractions and 

 possibilities, we turn to the lichens, a division of the vegetable world 

 which is very puzzling and very obscure. In my hand I hold a speci- 

 men of the most beautiful form on our coast, Evernia vulpina, the 

 Golden Lichen of the Sierras. Its color is a rich yellow, varying 

 somewhat in shade in different specimens, but one of the most pro- 

 nounced colors to be found in the whole vegetable creation. This 

 lichen grows upon trees, usually upon the under side of the dead 

 limbs of the pines, which are, in consequence, lighted up with a peculiar 

 glory. In form it is diffuse and branching, sometimes occurring in 

 flattened bars, but more often in round, branching threads. It grows 

 sometimes to the length of several inches, but never extends in long, 

 pendulous masses, as do some other members of the group. When 

 dry, its texture is quite firm and stiff, though it can be much softened 

 by moisture. It has little or no fragrance, and is entirely too severe 

 to be swayed or tossed by the winds or storms. But when we note 

 its beautiful color, its graceful form, and the wealth of its branches, 

 we may well admire it and count it one of our chief est botanical 

 treasures. Like other lichens which grow upon trees, it is often called 

 a moss, though an examination of its botanical structure shows that 

 it differs greatly from the plants which really deserve that name. 

 With what a charming tone the poet Bryant sings of the woods: 

 "Here are old trees, tall oaks and gnarled pines, 

 That stream with gray-green mosses; here the ground 

 Was never trenched by spade; and flowers spring up 

 Unsown, and die ungathered." 



ISTo wonder that he adds : 



"It is sweet to linger here, among the flitting birds, 

 And leaping squirrels, wandering brooks, and winds 

 That shake the leaves, and scatter, as they pass, 

 A fragrance from the cedars, thickly set 

 With pale blue berries." 



The Golden Lichen is a lover of the mountains, and is found only 



at considerable elevations, being perhaps most abundant at from 4,000 



to 6,000 feet above the level of the sea. As an ornament, it is a most 



tting object to bring home from a trip to the mountains/for it 



retains its brilliant color for many years, with but little change. 



