(j6 PACIFIC STATES FLORAL CONGRESS. 



The Parmelias are greenish-gray in tint, and when dry they lose 

 but little of the freshness of their color. They grow nearly flat upon 

 their supports, the edges only being somewhat curled and uplifted. 

 Though we fail to notice them individually, yet in fact, taken col- 

 lectively, they color the landscape to a far greater degree than at 

 first we might suspect. Taken in connection with the many other 

 lichens which grow upon stones and logs and the bark of- trees, they 

 give a variety and pleasing effect of color which we should greatly 

 miss if it were really absent. 



Come with me to the hills; examine the trunks and branches of 

 the oaks and alders, and in fact of nearly all the trees which do not bear 

 cones; notice the patches of color upon stumps and fallen logs; look 

 at the hard rocks which have faced the winds and storms for cen- 

 turies; see how the stone walls, the pasture fences, and even the heaps 

 of rubbish are decked and softened and made beautiful with these 

 touches of nature's brush; then will we appreciate to some extent the 

 delicate yet effective results which come from the presence of these 

 humble lichens. 



Botanically, the lichen is a singular compound of algas and fungi. 

 If its substance is carefully examined^ it will be seen to consist of small 

 green cells, embedded in a tissue destitute of chlorophyll, and allied 

 to the tissues of the fungi. Here indeed is a singular state of affairs. 

 Through the light-colored substance of the fungus the green of the 

 alga? may dimly appear, giving to the whole the "gray-green" of the 

 poets. In some mysterious manner, certain fungi have acquired or been 

 endowed with the power of living in peace and harmony with certain 

 minute green plants, to the mutual advantage of both. It is believed 

 that the alga3 feed the fungi, while the fungi protect and defend" 

 the algae. In some cases they have been compelled to live separately, 

 but they thrive best, for the most part, when living in the partner- 

 ship indicated. It has a resemblance to the dairyman and hi.; herd 

 of cows. The man provides shelter and protection for his kine, and 

 they, in turn, supply him with nourishing milk. The advantage is 

 mutual to man and beast, and it will probably be continued as long" 

 as the world stands. But how strange to think that all about us, 

 on rocks and stumps and fences, is going on a form of life, more 

 lowly indeed but scarcely less complex than that found on the dairy 

 ranches which stretch along the coast and spread over the hills of this 

 broad western land. 



At times, the lichens put forth little cups, called apothecia, which 

 materially enhance their beauty and attractiveness. These apothecia are- 

 frequently lined a brilliant coloring matter, black or scarlet or yellow, 

 and display, as it were, some of the beauty of true flowers. Sometimes 



