392 



NATURE-STUDY 



Another interesting flowerless plant, of which there are 

 many forms, is the Lichen. These are usually flattened 

 plants growing upon trees, rocks, earth, and cliffs. Gener- 

 ally they are of a bluish-green color, but often they are yel- 

 low, red, and black. Many form an irregular crust; others 

 are much branched and dissected. Some forms present a 



tufted or thread- 

 like structure. 

 Visit a pile of 

 cordwood and 

 note how many 

 kinds of lichens 

 may be found 

 on the bark. 

 Note that cer- 

 tain species are 

 found only on 

 certain kinds of 

 trees. A visit to 

 a forest or to a boulder field will show many other kinds 

 of lichens. The faces of old weathered cliffs are often cov- 

 ered with them. 



There is a great class of flowerless plants called Fungi. A 

 fungus has no chlorophyll, and therefore cannot make its own 

 food (starch), and derives it from the living or dead tissues of 

 other plants, or from animals. 



The most conspicuous fungi are mushrooms, or toad- 

 stools, and puff-balls. It is well that pupils should learn 

 a little of the general structure and habits of these peculiar 

 plants. We speak of mushrooms growing in a single night, 

 but in reality where mushrooms appear thus suddenly there 



FIG. 168. Agaricus Campestris. 

 (Common mushroom edible.) 



