1898] RAMALINA RETICULATA 409 
indeed it is a difficult matter (if possible at all) to find a whole 
fruiting specimen of Ramalina reticulata, | have not done so, 
The only specimens showing the holdfasts which I have been 
able to find, are small, the largest only seven inches long, 
(measured dry). Judging by the size of these holdfasts, it is 
hard to believe that they would grow strong enough to hoid plants 
much longer ; and of course the rest of the thallus is as weak 
asthe holdfast, and that it breaks readily has just been shown. 
Plainly then the usual and most effective mode of reproduc- 
tion and distribution of Ramalina reticulata is a vegetative one, 
therain softening the thallus and making it possible for the wind 
todetach pieces, even of considerable size, which are then car- 
tied (a large proportion of those detached) and fastened more 
or less securely by the wind upon branches of trees and shrubs, 
where the fragments thrive as if always undisturbed. 
THE RETICULATED THALLUS. 
: The characteristic feature in the habit of Ramalina reticulata 
-i8,as the name implies, its netted structure. From the youngest 
and smallest to the oldest and largest, these Ramalinas are all of 
them nets. The youngest (and the young branches reproduce 
ts) are shaped something like a narrow spatula ( figs. I, 2). 
Just behind the backwardly rolled and somewhat narrower tip, the 
Dh thallus begins to be perforate, these perforations increasing 
Msize to near the base of the thallus. There they are decidedly 
Smaller, finally disappear, and the thallus contracts into a single 
thickened strand, which enlarges at the base. The stalk of a 
branch is very short and is confluent with the thallus (fg. 7, 
0 figs. 3 and 4 where branching is taking place). In the young 
Ramalinas which have grown from the spore, on the branches of 
es, etc., the stalk may be somewhat longer and slightly broad- 
Ned at the base into a small flattened, discoid holdfast ( fig. Ff). 
Nce neither the stalk nor the holdfast keeps pace with the 
wth of the net-like part of the thallus, it is easy to see that 
creasing weight of the last will sooner or later result in 
‘chen being broken or torn into two pieces. 
