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     woollen products, in particular the lung lichen of the hardwoods, 
     
     locally known as "cocherel". Modern back—to the earth~ers have 
     
     recently revived and greatly extended the art of extracting natural 
     
     dyes from lichens. 
     
    
   
   
    
     On Prince Edward Island there are probably at least several 
     
     hundred common species of lichen. These are often difficult to 
     
     identify and distinguiSh} sometimes the lichen must be sectioned, 
     
     examined under a disecting microscope or treated Wlth chemical 
     
     tests in order to establish definite identification of speCies. An 
     
     almost total lack of common names also tends to discourage the 
     
     would—be lichen identifier. Nevertheless, using growth form as a 
     
     basis, three broad groups of lichens can be fairly eaSily recognized. 
     
    
   
   
    
     Foliose or leaf—like lichens are flattened and prostrate With 
     
     an upper surface—that is different from the lower. They tend to 
     
     grow outward from the centre and so become more or less round in 
     
     outline. The body of these lichens consists of flattened lobes 
     
     which vary in degree of wrinkling and ridging on the upper surface 
     
     and in how closely the lower surface is appressed to the substrate. 
     
     The foliose group includes many of the leaf—like lichens commonly 
     
     found growing on tree bark and branches. 
     
    
   
   
    
       
     
    
   
   
    
     FRUTICOSE LICHEN 
     
    
   
   
    
     Fruticose lichens are shrubby or hair—like and are round in cross- 
     
     section. They may hang down or stand erect. Typical of the hanging 
     
     group are hairy growths sometimes seen suspended from tree branches 
     
     or trunks; these are collectively referred to as old man's beard 
     
     lichens. Erect fruticose lichens often grow on the ground, rocks, 
     
     old tree stumps and fence posts. This group includes the red-capped 
     
     British soldier lichens and the pixie-cup lichens. 
     
    
   
   
    
     Crustose or crust—like lichens are very firmly and completely 
     
     attached to the substrate on which they grow. They often appear to 
     
     be little more than a design on the surface of a rock or tree; hence 
     
     the name script lichens applied to one group. 
     
    
   
   
    
     For the average lichen—watcher identification may not be a 
     
     realistic aim, but a wealth of fascinating structural detail can 
     
     be observed by examining lichens closely with the naked eye or a 
     
     hand lens. Lichens boast a rich variety of reproductive structures 
     
     which can often be seen on the surface of the plant. The fascinating 
     
     array of colours and forms found among the lichens is a wonderful 
     
     subject to challenge any photographer . 
     
     And even if you're not quite keen enough to get down to lichen- 
     
     watching at the eye-to-eye level why not try to start watching out 
     
     for them the next time you take a walk near your home or through the 
     
     streets of downtown Charlottetown. Your walk will be the richer 
     
     for it and you just might be surprised at the array of interesting 
     
     and colourful lichen shapes you've never before noticed lurking on 
     
    
   
   
    
     the tree trunks. And for an even nicer display try taking the same 
     
     walk on a damp or rainy day. 
     
    
   
   
    
     Winifred Cairns 
     
     60 Newland Crescent 
     
     Charlottetown, P.E.I. 
     
    
   
   
    
     PIXIE CUP 
     
     LICHEN -