374 CRYPTOGAMOUS PLANT. 



prevent cattle from falling into^ the pits. Many a 

 fox, when hard pressed, has been known to make 

 for these " whirly pits,"" as his last resource ; and, 

 secreting himself in some of the under cavities, has 

 escaped from the pursuit of his enemies above. I 

 once saw one of these animals dead at the bottom. 

 Whether he perished from being unable to return 

 up the crags after one of these retreats, or by any 

 other means, I know not. 



In particular years we are much troubled here 

 by the luxuriant growth of a cryptogamous plant, 

 which I believe to be the lichen fascicularis of Lin- 

 naeus : it may always be found even in the dryest 

 summers, but being in those seasons shrivelled up, 

 is in no way troublesome, nor indeed noticed, unless 

 sought for. This lichen covers the walks of shrub- 

 beries at times in shady places, and paths in the 

 kitchen garden, appearing like a dull olivaceous 

 crust, most observable about October or November, 

 and the spring months ; but in the summer of 1828, 

 the unusual moisture of that season was so favour- 

 able to its growth^ that even in August we could not 

 walk in safety in those places where it abounded^ 

 our feet sliding along upon the gelatinous, slippery 

 foliage and tubercles. Upon the walks of our cu- 

 linary gardens we sprinkle coal ashes, and this en- 

 ables us for some time to pass along with tolerable 

 safety ; but in the end it so fosters the growth of 

 this lichen, and small mosses, which retain moisture 



