21 



writer was much interested last winter in noticing a tree which was 

 well clothed with lichens. Half round there was a thick coating 

 of snow, and, under this, the lichens were fresh and well-colovired, 

 whilst those exposed to the dry and cold wind were very withered 

 looking or powdery. It is by the crumbling away of the thallus 

 that the gonidia are set free. The terms " annual " and " biennial ' 

 can have no application to lichen-life, which is seen to be so truly 

 permnial. It is by a powdery disintegration that the thallus is 

 eventually destroyed, but which of the many species now known 

 hold out longest it is not possible to say. It is, however, known 

 that some of our common species require many years for the pro- 

 duction of their so-called fructification. The winter finds the 

 botanist plenty of work amongst the lichens as well as the mosses, 

 so that they who wish to study vegetable life can find plenty of 

 material all the year round. Surely these humble plants — these 

 lich'ens or li'chens — to which your attention has been called this 

 evening, are interesting things. Poets may not have sung their 

 praises, and thousands of even eager botanists, in their search for 

 other plants, may have passed them without any misgivings, but 

 they have their charms, and, indeed, their special " points " are of 

 quite exceptional interest. 



Dr. T. Eastes presided. A large number of specimens were 

 shown, and illustrations given on the blackbeard. A short discus- 

 sion afterwards took place, in which Mr. Haydon, Dr. Morris, and 

 others too'c part. The attendance was good. 



Dr. Fitzgerald vas able to confirm, from actual observation, 

 what had been stated as to the occurrence of lichens in very high 

 latitudes. 



June 22nd, 1889. 



A ramble in search of orchids took place on the slopes of Castle 

 Hill in the afternoon. The attendance was very small. Specimens 

 of Orchis maculata, 0. pyramidalis,'Gymnadenia conopsea, Ophrys 

 apifera, and 0. arachnites were gnthered. The Secretary gave a 

 brief description of the fertilization of orchids, as illustrated by the 

 specimens gathered. 



A field day was arranged in August at Sandling Park, but as 

 only four or five members sent in their names, it did not take 

 place. 



