INTRODUCTION 



THE large class of Lichens has comparatively been given but scant atten- 

 tion by botanists, although their study is not less devoid of interest 

 than that of other Cryptograms or of Phanerograms possessed of 

 greater exterior attractiveness in contrast to the modest Lichen in unassum - 

 ing garb, persistently toiling in obscurity with tenacious vitality and 

 achieving important results in vegetable economy by preparing sterile soil 

 or hardest rock for the ultimate support of more pretentious plants. With 

 the object of attaining greater recognition for these humble plants by 

 students of California Botany, this preliminary list is presented. 



Without the patient and disinterested assistance and advice of Dr. W. 

 Nylander, who named the undescribed and classified difficult species,, 

 the compilation of this list could not have been accomplished. As it is 

 it gives but a tithe of the interesting Lichens of this part of the State, but 

 it is hoped that an enlargement of this report will be made if possible. 



The kindness of correspondents in forwarding specimens is also grate- 

 fully acknowledged and for these due credit has been attempted to be given. 



Soldiers' Home, Los Angeles Co., California, 

 May, 1898. 



