1841.] On Lichens in the Himalayas. 829 



rating all other species and extraneous matter; and as I see by Dr. 

 Hooker, that the presence or absence of the fructification is supposed to 

 make a difference in one of the Dye Lichens he notices, I have put 

 in two small parcels (paper), specimens of the B. Ashneh, with and 

 without the fructification, for separate experiments. I have sent you 

 also, for exhibition at the Meeting of the Society, branches of the Bar- 

 berry (JRusoot, Berberis ) which will, in some manner, illustrate 

 the fact of the abundance of some of the Lichens, as whole trees are 

 as thickly covered as the pieces I send you, and absolutely killed 

 by parasite. There are very few Lichens growing on rocks ; they 

 are almost entirely confined to the trees (especially the extreme bran- 

 ches, where no doubt they can imbibe moisture more freely) and 

 shrubs, but freely taking root amongst the moss, &c., on which they 

 may occasionally fall from the trees, detached by wind or the birds. 

 The greater part of those I have sent, are found on almost every kind 

 of tree or shrub; but more particularly such as have the roughest 

 bark. The Rhododendron alone seems almost exempt from them, 

 though it has other less conspicuous species lodged on its smooth 

 epidermis. 



I had commenced a collection for the Hortus Siccus, but even that 

 was unfinished, or rather only in its infancy when I left : but such as 

 it was, I thought it best to forward it to you, as it may enable compe- 

 tent botanists to pronounce more positively as to the correctness of my 

 nomenclature, which was, however, much improved by the assistance of 

 a small except from his Herbarium sent me by Dr. Falconer. The num- 

 ber of species I have forwarded is 19, and I have no hesitation in saying, 

 that it is scarcely a tithe of those to be found in the Himalayas. The 

 greater part however will only be valuable as botanical curiosities, 

 as they do not individually occur in sufficient quantities, to warrant 

 the probability of their becoming useful in commerce. 



I have, in a separate communication, endeavoured to give you my 

 gleanings of all that is known respecting the various properties of the 

 Lichens, and would beg the particular attention of chemists, and of 

 your Curator especially, to the recommendation of Westring respecting 

 the extraction of the dyeing principle from the Lichen, on the spot 

 where it is found, as the chief cost of any article sent from the 

 Himalayas over the capital to England, would consist of freight, &c., — 



