( *° 4 ) 
may be properly efteemed the fupport of 
millions of mankind, as it is the fole food of 
the rein-deer ; without which ferviceable ani- 
mal, the inhabitants of the northern regions 
could not exift. The rein- deer furnimes them 
with milk, butter, and cheefe, draws them in 
fledges with eafe and fwiftnefs over vaft 
tracls of land buried in fnow; his flefh af- 
fords them food ; his fkin, clothing ; his 
tendons, bow-ftrings ; and his bones, fpoons 0 
All thefe benefits would be loft, had not na- 
ture formed this lichen fo as to enable it to 
vegetate beneath the fnow, by which it is 
commonly covered to a great depth: the rein- 
deer, however, contrive to dig through the fnow 
with their feet and brow-antlers, till they ar- 
rive at their food. To the common name of 
rein-deer lichen, by which this plant is known, 
it has therefore the fulleft claim. The whole 
tribe of lichens poffefs qualities of which va- 
rious ufes are made ; different fpecies being 
ufed in dying reds and purples. Dr. Thun- 
berg relates, that the Japanefe gather a fpecies 
of ulva, which is one of the alga?, and, clear- 
ing it from all impurities, dry and reduce it 
to a fine powder, which they eat with boiled 
rice, and fometimes put into foup. There are ' 
other fpecies alfo of them, which are ufed for 
food 
