ON THE CRYPTOGAM1C BOTANY. XXXI 



There is, however, one lichen which cannot be overlooked in this 

 respect, viz. Pilophoron fibula (Tuck.); and as it was first detected 

 in North America, has only been recently added to the British lists, 

 and is, besides, a very characteristic plant, any notice of its distribu- 

 tion is worth recording. It was first discovered on Ben Voirlich in 

 1871, sparingly; then more plentifully on the Cobbler and Ben Donagh 

 at the head of Loch Goil ; and lastly on the hills behind Ormidale 

 on the Kyles of Bute, where, in a luxuriant state of fructification, it 

 covered the perpendicular face of a wettish rock to the extent of 

 many square yards. This lichen may fairly be expected in many 

 similar situations on our west coast, more especially as the only other 

 stations for it are in Wales. 



Generally speaking, the rarer of the large foliaceous lichens mani- 

 fest a preference for the western districts, especially the Western 

 Islands, whose climate, as has been already stated, is moister than 

 elsewhere in Scotland. 



With this must be closed the record of the distribution of cryp- 

 togamic plants. Many important isolated facts might have been 

 added, which might have been of use for subsequent research as well 

 as served as bases for plausible theories of plant growth and spread, 

 but, apart from the very restricted limits of the present introduction, 

 it is very questionable how far it is advisable, in the transitionary 

 stage through which Cryptogamic Botany is passing, to rush into 

 vague generalities which may ultimately be upset. Better to wait 

 patiently, in this as in other departments of pure science, until a 

 surer and broader basis is arrived at, than to disturb the present 

 current of thought by crude and undigested generalizations. In 

 other words, better be a simple disciple of Faraday than a follower 

 of any of our more recent iconoclasts. 



J. STIETON. 



