66 
THE CANADIAN NATURALIST 
maple is likewise found another curious lichen (^Jungerman- 
nia) consisting of a multitude of small^ very close^ brownish- 
black ramifications : these black patches are usually small. 
Ash^ elm^ leverwood^ basswood^ and sometimes birch, have 
their trunks clothed with larger and thicker masses : a 
branchy moss {Hypnum ?) of a dull green, occurs, mixed 
with a bright green moss {Hz/pnum ?), in large loose 
bunches, covering great portions of the trunk together. With 
these there is often found a large, broad lichen (Puhnonaria), 
pale brownish grey, palmated like the horns of a deer : this 
is usually found on lever wood {Ostrya Virginica,) The first 
mentioned, and perhaps some of the others, often occurs on 
rails and boards which have been much exposed to the 
weather. 
C, — There seems to be great variety in the different 
lichens. 
F, — Yes ; and their number is very great ; but from 
the minuteness of many, and the obscurity which exists in 
the fructification of all, much difficulty is found in arranging 
them, and they are yet comparatively unknown, even to 
botanists. Indeed the study of the Cryptogamia may be 
considered as a science in itself, requiring a close, undivided, 
and continued attention. 
C — The spring begins to announce its approach by the 
increasing power of the sun ; the snow melts, and becomes 
soft and rotten" as it is called, even when the temperature 
in the shade is much below 32.° The runners of sleighs cut 
through the snow, and rest on the ground ; travelling will 
soon be over for a while. 
F — We may have heavy snow-storms, and some very 
cold weather yet. Spring does not come in a day : old Win- 
ter is loth to give up his dominion, and does not resign it 
without many struggles. 
