[ 686 ] 
c< they are flocked with this herb, which in every 
“ refpedt is good and wholefome food” (6). 
This iriofs is not very common in the fouthern 
countries of Europe. England affords it but very 
fparingly. Mr. Newton and Dr. Dillenius found it 
in Wales; Sibbald, in Scotland. It is frequent on 
the Alps of Switzerland ; and Dr. Haller mentions 
it in his Iter Hercyniiim. Sweden and Lapland have 
it in plenty : and on account of its great abundance 
and ufefulnefs in Iceland, Bartholine, and after him 
others, called it mufcus ijlandicus. 
Conclusion. 
I cannot help remarking, by way of conclufion, 
that we have in this genus of plants a convincing in- 
flance of the utility which may refult from the fludy 
of natural fcience in general, and even of its minuter 
and hitherto mofl neglected branches. From a view 
of the foregoing memoir it is evident, I prefume, 
that the ceconomical ufes of the lichens, in the va- 
rious parts of the world, are already very confiderable 
and important : and altho’ it does not appear, that 
the fenfible qualities of any of them, or the expe- 
rience of former ages, will warrant our afcertain- 
ing any fingular powers to them in a medicinal way, 
yet poflerity will doubtlefs find the means of em- 
ploying them to many valuable purpofes in human 
life to us unknown. 
It will at once be acknowleged, that the vegetable 
kingdom fupplies us with the far greater fhare of the 
(6) Horrebow’s Natural Hiftory of Iceland, p. 36. 
neceffaries, 
