Ll'CHENS. 237 



called Sea- weeds; and the genera, in both divisions 

 of the order, are distinguished, either by the situ- 

 ation of what is supposed to be the flower or seed, 

 or by the resemblance of the whole plant to some 

 other well-known substance. 



The nearer we approach either to the north or 

 south pole, the more we find the earth to abound 

 with lichens and liverworts : in advancing towards 

 the equator, the class of plants next in abundance 

 are the mosses ; and then the grasses. 



Li'chens commonly grow in fleshy or leather - 

 like patches, on the stems of trees, rocks, old build- 

 ings, palings, and other solid bodies. 



EDWARD. 



Are those lichens, that grow, like rough yellow 

 and bluish crusts, upon the old gooseberry-bushes 

 and apple-trees in the garden ? I think your draw- 

 ing is like them. 



MOTHER. 



They are some of the most common species. 

 Lichens, as well as mosses, are found to thrive in 

 all kinds of soil, and in every climate ; and, like 

 mosses, they have the property of growing again, 

 when placed in situations adapted to them, though 

 they may have been kept in a dry state for many 

 years. They are not destroyed either by heat of 



