lo Mr. G. Livens on Structure and Life LListory of Lichens. 



characters would suffice to define a rose. In order therefore to 

 gain some idea of what a lichen was they would have to consider 

 the lichens as a whole, and not merely in their external form, but 

 in relation to their inner structure also. Proceeding Mr. Livens 

 dealt with the three main types of design amongst lichens — the 

 crustose, leafy, and erect — and pointed out that there was as much 

 similarity between them as existed between flatworms, tortoises, 

 and men. About fifty years ago it was discovered that lichens were 

 not individuals in the usual sense of the word, but were rather 

 colonies of individuals. The character common to them and not 

 shared by any other plant was that a lichen was a dual organism, 

 composed of two different elements — fungal on the one hand, 

 algael on the other The fructifications represented the fructi- 

 fications of the fungal element, and the spores were the reproductive 

 bodies. Mr. Livens described nature's plans for ensuring the 

 continued existence of certain species of lichens, and said lichens 

 could only be formed in regions where algae could live 

 freely. But did one always find lichens inhabiting regions 

 where free living algge were to be found also ? No. It had been 

 asserted that lichens were met with plentifully in situations towards 

 the summits of lofty mountains, where free living fungi and free- 

 living algse were unknown. After considering other features of 

 interest to be found in lichens, Mr. Livens, in conclusion said, to 

 the most casual of observers the lichens might be interesting on 

 account of their quietness and variety of form. Their structure 

 was of interest in so far as it revealed to them that they weie not 

 individuals, but were colonies of complex and regular organization. 

 In the life history of lichens they saw some of nature's wonderful 

 devices for ensuring the safety of her organisms and for spreading 

 them into the remotest parts of the globe. 



Both papers were illustrated by a series of limelight views. 



On the motion of Mr. Adam Speers, seconded by Mr. R. 

 M. Young, J. P., a hearty vote of thanks was passed to Mr. 

 Whitehouse and Mr. Livens, and the meeting concluded. 



