104 THE AUSTRALIAN NATURALIST. 
newspaper pockets. When the plants are thoroughly dry, a 
sufficient amount of the plant, together with the fruit, should 
be placed in pockets of strong white paper, made in the same 
way as indicated above, or what is even better, by gluing or 
fastening the specimen on a sheet of clean white paper. 
The size and shape of the specimen will determine the size 
and shape of the pocket or paper, which should then be pinned 
to herbarium sheets of uniform size. Time and place of 
collecting should be indicated on the pocket or sheet on which 
the specimen is fastened, or on suitable labels printed for each 
locality where much collecting is done. ; 
If it is desired to send a collection of specimens to specialists 
for determination, it is a good plan to number the pockets or 
sheets on which specimens are fastened, provided always that 
each duplicate specimen receives the corresponding number. 
The name when supplied can then be added. 
Uses or Licuens.—Lichens, like some species of Ferns and 
Fungi, have a positive advantage over Mosses and Hepatics, in 
that they are, in many cases, highly valuable economically. 
Cladonia rangiferina supplies food to the reindeer of Lapland, 
hence it is popularly known as the “‘ Reindeer Moss.” It covers 
vast tracks of country in the colder regions in nearly every 
part of the world. ‘Tasmania and some parts of New 4ealand 
have furnished a number of specimens of this scrubby little 
lichen and its forms, but it has not, so far as I can gather, been 
used to any great extent in this part of the world. “ Iceland 
Moss,” Cetruria zslandica, is kept in most of our druggists’ 
shops, as it is used largely in medicines. The lichen is 
common in Iceland and the northern and mountainous parts of 
the United States. It is held in great repute on account of its 
medicinal properties in pulmonary affections. It is extremely 
mucilaginous, bitter to the taste, and somewhat astringent. 
Icelanders convert it into a tolerably pleasant food by drying 
it, and then boiling it in water. A soup is also made from it. 
‘“The Gardeners’ Chronicle” (Series 3, Vol. xxiv., 1898, p. 
179), recommended it as one of the best materials for planting 
in shady court-yards and under trees where no direct sunlight 
penetrates. It is said to have a good effect when in contrast 
with turf and gravel. 
Several species of the genus Moccella, commonly known as 
“ Orchella-weed,” are of immense value on account of their 
fine colouring matter. Litmus, that beautiful, deep violet- 
blue, so useful to chemists as a test for acids, is perhaps the 
best. It is prepared chiefly from MR tinctorta. Lecanora 
esculenta, which rolls in a detached state, abundantly on 
the sandy plains of Africa, is collected as food for man and 
beast. Numerous articles have been written on this species, 
some authors asserting its identity with the manna supplied to 
the children of Israel whilst journeying through the wilderness, 
