Journeying with Lichens and Hepatics in Maine

Abstract

Our ardent love of the woods and the treasures they contain allured us on many a field trip and we will not soon forget the delight they gave us. Sometime, we have thought it would make an interesting tale if we could write the story of what we did not see, but that of course would be impossible; yet for years we walked blindly regarding the lichens and hepatics. The enthusiastic pursuit of any branch of knowledge is sure to give us some reward and, that we might know more of the beauty of our world, we started a friendly interest with the lichens and hepatics. We found them in some ways easier of study than our birds. The birds will not wait our time for study, but these small plants are always in their places. Fate governs somewhat the bird lover's success-what we might have seen had we reached a place a half hour earlier or stayed a half hour later is not ours to tell-but these lower forms of plant life remain almost unchanged for some time. There is no need of hurry, as when pursuing a bird song, but we can linger along the trail to admire the glory. We did encounter some difficulties as we proceeded with the lichens. We did not find books that were prepared especially for beginners, so were quite dependent on our friends who possessed higher-powered microscopes and had a wider acquaintance with the plants. However, we did acquire much pleasure tramping and studying and our interest still holds keen. Many trails led where we could find several of the Cladonia lichens. Among them were Cladonia alpestris, Cladonia pyxidata, Cladonia fimbriata, Cladonia cristatella and Cladonia rangiferina. When the snow receded in the spring, Cladonia cristatella and Cladonia pyxidata made beautiful garden spots. One friend always called Cladonia pyxidata, Gabriel's trumpet. We also found Cladonia turgida and Cladonia squamosa sarmentosa. The messages of Cetraria islandica were written in a rocky pasture where lived the polypody ferns. Around the base of the hemlocks we found Cetraria Oakesiana and on some lifeless twigs discovered Cetraria lacunosa. When we saw Usnea barbata it always called to mind Longfellow's lines bearded with moss, as it is sometimes called beard moss. We have found it growing on the tree boles higher than we could reach. Stereocaulon never looked so pretty in its rocky habitat as when seen in the spring or after a rain. It is an odd looking plant, like ornamental designs of heavy embossing for decorative work. Sticta pulmonaria and the Peltigeras we always thought were near relatives though Sticta was found on trees and the Peltigeras on the earth in damp locations. Our first Peltigera canina we proudly exhibited to our friends, but we soon learned several trails that led to its home among the mosses. Nephroma laevigatum made its home on rocks and trees. It was the cloud's