382 CRYPTOGAMOUS PLANT. 



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 Dillenius : it may always be found even in 

 the driest 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 shrubberies 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 sea- 

 son was so favourable 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 culinary gardens we sprinkle coal- 

 ashes, and this enables 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 as a sponge, that the evil we 

 endeavour to remove is by the autumn increased : 

 where gravel is not obtainable, paring off the crest 

 of the walk is the only effectual remedy, and this 

 ultimately we are necessitated to resort to. It is 

 notable that such a very insignificant product, this 

 hardly discernible plant, should endanger limb and 

 life, and by circumstances become so formidable to 

 us " lords of the creation," as to force us to devise 

 contrivances to counteract its injurious tendencies. 



There are times when we suffer here greatly by 



