i6 FLOWERLESS PLANTS 



Coming to the other extreme, the fact that 

 fiowerless plants are able to withstand high 

 temperatures has ensured their distribution in 

 situations which would be quite impossible for 

 the higher t}''pes. Certain hchens are found in 

 abundance growing upon the rocks of deserts. 

 It has been shown that during the heat of the 

 day the temperature of these rocks and the 

 plants which are growng on them may be as 

 high as 200° Fahr. This is, of course, not very 

 far short of boiling point, yet these lichens grow 

 and thrive naturally in these scorching situations. 

 In the hot springs at Carlsbad and elsewhere 

 certain algae flourish in a temperature which is 

 at least 170° Fahr., and it is said that these 

 enterprising plants have been discovered in 

 situations where the water is even hotter still. 

 It will be realised from such instances that the 

 fiowerless plants do not lack in adaptabihty to 

 general conditions. 



It is a singular fact that so few of the 

 fiowerless plants are of any very direct benefit 

 to the human race. A certain number of the 

 fungi are edible, but their actual food value is 

 reaUy very smaU, and they cannot be ranked 

 as important articles of diet. In the same way 



