THE AUSTRALIAN NATURALIST. 105 
Many arctic voyagers have prolonged and saved their lives 
by the use of species of the genus Gyrophora. The species of 
this genus are found on rocks projecting through the snowy or 
Alpine regions in nearly every part of the world. Several 
species have been found on Mt. Kosciusko in N.S. Wales, Mt. 
Hotham in Victoria, Mt. Wellington in Tasmania, and Ben 
Lomond in New Zealand. G. (Urnhilicaria) cylindrica is 
perhaps the commonest species of this genus found in the 
above localities. A note by the Rev. I’. R. M. Wilson attached 
to this species in the National Herbarium, Sydney, mentions 
the occasional use of this species as food, but more frequently 
for dyeing woollen cloth of a brownish-green colour.  Usnea 
longissima is stated by F. M. Bailey (Proc. Roy. Soc. Tasm., 
1880, p. 34), to be extensively used in Queensland, entwined 
round the hat as a protection against the sun. Upwards of 
thirty species and varieties of this genus occur in Australasia. 
They are very common on fences and trunks of trees in some 
parts of our forests and open country. The genus is widely 
distributed all over the world, and the Species are generally 
known as “Old Man’s Beard,” or ‘Tree Moss.” Branches 
adorned with these plants are in great demand by taxidermists, 
who utilise thena in setting up their mounts. Various other 
uses have been made of these lichens; they are in considerable 
demand in the art of perfumery, owing to their aptitude to 
imbibe and retain odours. 
Licnens As 4 Guipe to Hearra Resorts.—On the Lichen- 
flora as a guide to health resorts, much may be learned through 
a study of their general habits. Localities in and around most 
of our cities are almost destitute of lichenose vegetation, as 
they do not love places not open to salubrious air. Orombie, 
in“ Grevillea,” ii, (1874), p. 145, has observed that nota single 
lichen, nor scarcely even the trace of any thallus are to be 
found in any of the public parks of London. ‘Those in search 
of health resorts might, to some extent, be guided by the silent 
testimony of these plants growing so abundantly in some of 
our healthiest districts. 
THE MANTIS. 
Fe 
(Abstract of Paper by Mrs. L. Ross, read before the Armidale 
Branch, June, 1907.) 
THis is 2common insect here, and most people know it. The 
name Mantis is derived from the Greek, and means prayer. It 
has been termed “ Praying Mantis,” on account of the peculiar 
devotion-like attitude it assumes when at rest or av yaiting prey. 
T think it was the Ancient Romans who called these insects 
“ Soothsayers” and ‘* Prophets.” The Hottentots worshipped 
them as tutelary divinities. 
