CLADONIA. 



273 



from all the varieties of the preceding species, with which 

 it is apt to be confounded, by the podetia never being 

 polished and squamulose, but always slightly farinose and 

 aphyllous. 



It varies much in size, — being seldom taller than three or 

 four inches in Britain, — and also in rigidity and strength ; 

 it is sometimes straw-coloured or ochroleucous,- — and loosely 

 ramose, or the terminal ramules are very ramose, entangled, 

 and crowded. 



A very common species on our hills and heaths in low- 

 land, subalpine, and alpine districts, growing on the ground. 

 Qn hills of minor elevation, round Perth and Edinburgh, 

 it is abundant. Crabbe calls it truly — 



"The wiry moss that whitens all the hill." 



" Omnium lichenum copiosissima" according to Pries, — it is 

 almost a cosmopolite ; but its geographical range is, in vari- 

 ous parts of the world, very irregular and limited. In nor- 

 thern Europe it is used like Cetraria Islandica, as a nutrient 

 and demulcent. It is a social plant, covering in Lapland 

 vast tracts of country, and growing to a height of six to 

 twelve inches. The barren plains so covered are the favou- 

 rite and only pastures of the reindeer during winter ; the 

 animals clear away the snow by means of their horns to 



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