The True Nature of Lichens

Abstract

THE editorial note on this subject in NATURE, vol. xiii. p. 168, was thoroughly disappointing to those who, like myself, may have had hopes that the confident allusion by the reviewer of Haeckel to the “clearing up” of the “true nature of Lichens” had reference to some demonstration—of which we had not heard—of the part played by Spermogonia and Pycnidia in Lichen-Reproduction. Having long had in contemplation the publication of a volume of “Outlines of Licbenology,” it has been my business for years to note carefully all publications of any importance on the Natural History of Lichens. Those of Prof. Schwendener of Bâle and his disciples could scarcely have escaped me; so that I find the papers mentioned in the editorial note aforesaid, as well as others, duly recorded, with abstracts and relative criticisms, in my Lichenological memorandum book.