Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1883-02-22
LichenS.

LlcnenS run tnrOugn the WnOle cnfO-
matte scale, ana show what striking
effects Nature can produce by an har-
monious combination of few simple
lines and hues. Most of them are Of q
quiet gray tint, but some display the
most vivid colors. One species covers
trees and rocks with bright yellow,
powdery patches; another sprinkles
them with kind of green rust, espe-
cially in the neighborhood of large
towns. In Europe, almost every old
wall, castle, and rocky seashore as en-
blszoned with the brilliant, deep yellow
rosettes ofthe common warm parmelia.
Olive green and pale primrose-yellow
lichens diversity the surface of moor
land boulders and likes. And. what is
very remarkable, the higher we ascend
the mountain-side, the further north
we penetrate, the brighter becomes the
coloring and the more graceful and
luxuriant the form of lichens; present.
ing in this respect parallel to many
Towering plants, such as the birch,
whose stem is whittier and whose leaves
are more shining and fragrant in Nor
way than in this country.
One of the loveliest species is the
Geographical Lichen" LcGded Geo
graphical, which is the most artic, ant
arhc and alpine plant in the world, oc-
cupying the extreme outpost Of vege-
tation in altitude and latitude; and its
yellow-green crust becomes brighter,
smoother and more continuous, and its
characteristic black dots and lines,
like towns and rivers and boundaries
on q map, become deeper and glossier
the nearer we approach tue limit of
perpetual snow. 1t is a fit of compan-
ion of those exquisite alpine flowers
that bloom their fairest IN the same
desolate circumstances and exhibit q
grace ard beauty far surprising those
of their favored sisters of the plain.
The little cup lichen, that holds up
it's tiny goblets IN myriads to catch the
dewdrops upon the turfy top of every
old wall and bank, assumes in ono of
its kindred forms that grows at a
great height upon the mountains, q
larger size, more elegant shape and a
more tender color. Nothing of the
kind can be lovlier than TINS mountain
| species, with its soft, sulphur. colored
cups, decked round the edge with
waxen heads of the most brilliant
scarlet, creeping over the bleak alpine
turf, and forming, With the gay flowers
of the purple saxifrage and the moss
campion, tiny garden in the wilder
ness.
On the widest islands of the Antarc-
tic Ocean, where nothing else bu,
lichens grow, some Of the finest spe-
species abound, with large, polished
black shields contrast beautifully with
their yellow, shrubhy stems; aud on the
fundras, or vast plains that border the
Polar Ocean, the eye is delighted be
you'd measure with the delicate and in
tricate branching and the snowy purity
Of the larger lchens, which form al
most the only vegetation.
One hchen in New Zealand initiates
the finest lace-work; another, found on
Scotland's northern moors, resembles
miniature coral; aud on the highest
and most exposed ridges Of the Scot
fish mountains, one lesfy species occurs
whose under.side Is OF the most splen-
did orange color, while Its upper sur.
face. constantly wetted by the clouds
and mists, Is Of the most vivid ereea.
varied by the chocolate color Of It's
large, fat, shield-like qualification. -
! A non