CRYPTOGAMOUS PLANT. 
253 
beneath, and washing away the support; and in part 
by the superfluous water from the ditches and water* 
courses above draining into the fissures of the rock, and 
so gradually mining or wearing away a passage ; for 
they are now frequently the receivers of all the running 
water from the land, which seems naturally to drain 
into them, and apparently has been so conducted for a 
long course of years. Some of them present dark and 
frightful chasms, and bushes and brambles are encour- 
aged to grow about them, to prevent cattle from falling 
into the pits. Many a fox, w r hen hard pressed, has 
been known to make for these “ whirly pits,” as his last 
resource ; and, secreting himself in some of the under 
cavities, has escaped from the pursuit of his enemies 
above. I once saw one of these animals dead at the 
bottom. Whether he perished from being unable to 
return up the crags after one of these retreats, or by 
any other means, I know not. 
In particular years we are much troubled here by the 
luxuriant growth of a cryptogamous plant, which I be- 
lieve to be the lichen fascicularis of Linnaeus : it may 
always be found even in the dryest summers, but being 
in those seasons shrivelled up, is in no way troublesome, 
nor indeed noticed, unless sought for. This lichen 
covers the walks of shrubberies at times in shady places, 
and paths in the kitchen garden, appearing like a dull 
olivaceous crust, most observable about October or No- 
vember, and the spring months ; but in the summer of 
1828, the unusual moisture of that season was so favor- 
able to its growth, that even in August we could not 
walk in safety in those places where it abounded, our 
feet sliding along upon the gelatinous, slippery foliage 
and tubercles. Upon the walks of our culinary gardens 
we sprinkle coal ashes, and this enables us for some 
time to pass along with tolerable safety ; but in the end 
it so fosters the growth of this lichen, and small mosses, 
which retain moisture as a sponge, that the evil we en- 
deavor to remove is by the autumn increased : where 
gravel is not obtainable, paring off* the crest of the walk 
is the only effectual remedy, and this ultimately we are 
necessitated to resort to. It is notable that such a very 
W 
