4-2 



gration of rocks, but whether only mechanically, or chemically, or 

 both, is as yet matter of inquiry. But Linnseus, (Amasn. Acad. II. 

 p. 25,) and numberless writers after him, have beautifully displayed 

 the rise and the progressive development of vegetation, from the 

 protophyte, the crustaceous lichen on the dry top of the rock just 

 emerging from the sea, to higher lichens, to mosses, to herbs, and 

 stately trees. 



We come now to the second part of this chapter, which concerns 

 Lichenes as they respect the economy of Man generally. They 

 afford protection to tender alpine plants without doubt. They are 

 not only a refuge for insects, but serve also for the construction of 

 the nests of certain kinds, as also of birds. But above all are they 

 important, as furnishing food to the higher animals, in circumstan- 

 ces where these animals would perish without the lichens upon 

 which, for the greater part of the year, they subsist. In this way 

 certain species are essential to the very existence of Lapland as an 

 inhabited region. "Hi Lichene obsiti campi sunt Lapponum agri, 

 hsec prata eorum fertilissima." (Fl. Lapp.) Nor is it reindeer 

 alone which are sustained by lichens ; other deer, and horses, swine, 

 oxen, calves, and sheep not only will live, but grow fat upon them, 

 so that in Carniolia they fatten lean cattle by pasturing them where 

 nothing but Cetraria Islandica (Iceland Moss) grows. Finally, 

 lichens serve as food to the wandering savage tribes of boreal 

 America, and in frequent circumstances the Rock-tripe (Umbilica- 

 ria) may be said to be essential to their existence. " Next morn- 

 ing," says Franklin, in his thrilling "Journey to the Shores of the 

 Polar Sea," "the breeze was light, and the weather mild, which 

 enabled us to collect some tripe de roche, and to enjoy the only meal 

 we had for four days. We derived great benefit from it, and walked 

 with considerably more ease than yesterday. Without the strength 

 it supplied, we should certainly have been unable to oppose the 

 strong breeze we had in the afternoon." (P. 437, and see pp. 404, 

 436, &c.). According to Franklin, Muhlenberg's Rock-tripe (Um- 

 bil. Muhlenbergii), so common on the Blue Hills, the Lynn hills, &c., 

 is the species preferred by the Indians, and he calls it, "with fish- 

 roe or other animal matter, agreeable and nutritious." 



There remains only to mention the universally known Iceland 

 Moss (Cetraria Islandica) of which Proust has said, that "Nature 

 can hardly furnish a more excellent article of food." This affords 

 to the Icelanders both soup and bread, and, with Cetraria nival is, is 

 considered "wholesome, nourishing, and extremely agreeable." 

 Indeed, Olafsen says, that they reckon a ton of the flour of the 

 Iceland Moss to be equal to half a ton of ordinary flour or meal. 

 I pass over other species which might here be referred to, and 

 proceed to consider, lastly, the uses of Lichenes in the Arts. And 

 here, well remarks Fries, almost all that is known has been owing 

 to the Northern the Anglo-Saxon, Scandinavian, and German 

 nations, whom necessity constrained to value and to improve all of 

 Nature's gifts. Throughout the North, lichens have been used as 

 dye-stuffs from remote antiquity, and are still, to a great extent. 

 Swedish writers have illustrated at large the whole matter, and es- 



