Ep , ^ 7M 
et " ^d 
will $$ k : * 
464 Lichenes of New England. 
phosphate of lime to the bony structure of the — í 
perfect animals.” * 
That these hints may possibly be of use in sug- 
gesting further examination of the properties of our 
lichens, and in making them of somewhat more con- 
sequence to investigators, has been my motive in 
giving them a place. I cannot close this paper with- 
out saying how delightful a pursuit for leisure hours 
the study of the Cryptogamia affords. Perhaps no 
r4 
Li 
other braneh of botany ean be pursued with less ex- - 
pense of time, though none will repay more ; or with 
less of that drudgery which always attends a herba-. 
rium. The necessary books are few in number, and 
for the Lichenes any of the old Linnzan Floras, as 
Scopoli, Lightfoot, Hudson, will furnish, so far as 
they go, no contemptible substitute for more modern 
systems. And such authors as Linnæus himself, and 
Sir James Smith, leave little, indeed; to be desired. 
The botanist who engages in this pursuit, finds win- 
ter, also, a season of flowers; and the snow cannot . 
hide his tree-lichens, or the inhabitants of the exposed 
tops of the old fences; and if he keeps in-doors, his 
wood-pile is rich in species. Another pleasure 15 
added to his walks and to his hours of study, and he 
attains, through these humble plants, a yet firmer 
hold on the satisfying charms of Nature. 
Xoigs* oi yàp nào: Iiug Syytoior moocavoay ` 
£x Gov yàg yévos au£v, ov uiunuæ AayovTes 
uoŬyor, ooo tuer Te xol Egner Oywr ent ere? 
eanth. 
* Br. F1., II. 169. 
