_Such as consist of a tough flexible matter, formed into ramifications,
in some species almost simple, in others resembling small shrubs: in
some of the species the branches are quite solid, in others tubular._
This order comprehends the third of Dillenius’s genus of _coralloides_;
the whole _cladonia_ of Hill; the second, and several species of the
third order of Haller’s lichens; several species of the fifth, and
the whole sixth, order of Micheli; and the _lichenes fruticulosi_ of
Linnæus.
The plants of this genus grow principally upon the ground on heaths,
forests, and mountainous barren places; except the _orcelle_, or
Canary-weed, which is found upon the rocks on the sea-coast.
To this division belongs the horned moss[83]. It is found with us in
rocky barren ground, and upon old walls not uncommon. It was formerly
in great credit as a pectoral; but is now quite in disrepute.
The common branched coralline-moss[84] is one of the most useful
plants of all the tribe of lichens. It is pretty frequent with us on
our heaths, forests, and mountains. The northern regions afford it in
abundance; and there it is peculiarly and singularly useful. It is
indeed the very support and foundation of all the Lapland œconomy, and
without which the inhabitants could not sustain their rein-deer in the
winter time. Linnæus tells us[85], that Lapland affords no vegetables
in such plenty as this, and other of the lichens. Plains of several
miles extent are totally covered over with it, as if with snow; and
where no other plant will even take root, this will thrive and be
luxuriant. These dreary and inclement wastes, these _terræ damnatæ_,
as a foreigner would readily call them; these, are the Lapland fields
and fertile pastures. On this lichen the rein-deer, those sources of
all their wealth, feed in the winter time, when it is in its most
flourishing condition, and no other vegetable is to be had: with this
too they will even become fat. The riches of the Laplanders consist in
their number of these cattle: they are cloathed with their skins, fed
with their flesh, and from their milk they make both butter and cheese.
Nature, by the inclemency of their seasons, has almost denied them
the cultivation of their earth: they neither sow nor reap; but live a
perpetual migratory life, tending their flocks of rein-deer, upon which
their whole care is centered and employed.
The milk of the rein-deer is very remarkably fat and rich: it tastes
indeed like cow’s milk, with which some butter, and a small quantity of
fat or suet, has been intimately united. Dr. Haller[86] suspects, that
this richness of the milk is owing to the animals feeding upon this
moss. Most of the plants of this family are of an astringent quality,
which indeed they manifest to the taste. This astringency of their food
will doubtless contribute much to that effect.
The rein-deer are not the only animals that will feed upon the
coralline moss. The Novaccolæ[87] gather vast quantities of it to
fodder their oxen with in the winter. They take the opportunity of
raking it together in the rainy seasons, when it is tough; for in dry
weather it easily crumbles into powder. This they moisten with a little
water in the winter season when they use it, and find it excellent
fodder.
The coralline mosses are subject to great variation: and altho’ there
are several really distinct species, yet they run so into one another,
that it is no easy matter to fix upon the real specific distinctions,
in many instances. Some species are perfectly white; others have the
extremities of the branches reddish, some brown, and others almost
black. The common coralline moss in Lapland not unfrequently grows to
be several inches long, and even a foot high.
The tubular or hollow branched coralline mosses are not the only
kinds upon which the rein-deer will feed. Almost all the lichens
are abundantly more plentiful in those northern, than in these more
southerly climates. There are several species with solid branches; one,
which Dillenius calls _The crisp warty Alpine coralloides_[88], which
is almost as plentiful as the common sort, and is equally acceptable
to those animals[89]. It was before observed, that, in defect of these
mosses, the black _mane usnea_ is a substitute equally acceptable to
those animals.
Another of the most remarkable and useful plants of this division
is the _orchel_[90], or _argol_, as it is commonly called. This
enters more into œconomical uses among us than any other of the whole
genus. How considerable an article it forms in the dying trade, in
which its uses are various and extensive, is very well known. Its
tinging property has been known from ancient times; and some of our
most celebrated botanic writers are of opinion, that it was used as a
dye even in the days of Theophrastus. That father of botany mentions
a _fucus_, which, he says, grew upon the rocks about the island of
Crete; and that they dyed woollen garments of a purple, or rather a red
colour, with it. It grows on the rocks by the sea-coast in many parts
of the Archipelago, and in the Canary Islands; from whence we generally
import it, as well as from the Cape Verd, which afford it in plenty.
The demand for _orchel_ is so great, that Mr. Hellot[91], of the Royal
Academy of Sciences, informs us, they gather yearly, upon an average,
from the isle of Teneriffe 500 quintals, which amounts to 25 ton
weight; from the Canary Islands 400 quintals, from Forteventura 300,
from Lancerota 300, the same from Gomera, and from Ferro 800.
The way of manufacturing the _orchel_ for the uses of dying, was for
a considerable time a secret in few hands; but it is now done in
London, and other parts of Europe, to great perfection. Mr. Ray, from
Imperatus, gives a brief account of the process[92]. Micheli has since
delivered a more exact detail of it. His, at least, seems to be the
method[93], which the dyers at Florence used. From both these accounts,
urine and pot-ash appear to be the principal ingredients used in
extracting its colour.
Many other plants of this genus contain the same tophaceous matter as
the _orchel_; and upon trial have been found to strike a good colour.
Micheli, after he has related the preparation of the _orchel_, suggests
the same thing; and M. Hellot, in the treatise before mentioned, tells
us, there are many other mosses, which will give as good a colour as
the _orchel_. In fact, he adds, that M. Bernard de Jussieu brought him
some from the forest of Fontainbleau, which, upon experiments with
urine and lime, took a purple colour. In the sequel of this memoir we
shall point out some of these kinds. M. Hellot has given us a process,
which he made use of for discovering whether any of these lichens
would yield a red or purple colour. It is as follows: “Put about two
drachms of any of these lichens into a little glass jar: moisten it
well with equal parts of strong lime-water, and volatile spirit of _sal
ammoniac_; tie a wet bladder close over the top of the vessel, and let
it stand three or four days. At the end of this time, if the lichen
is likely to answer, that small quantity of liquor, which you will
find in the glass, will be of a deep crimson red; and the plant will
retain the same colour when the liquor is all dried up. If neither the
liquor nor the plant have taken any colour, it is needless to make any
further trials with it.” This process is simple and easy, and well
worth observation by all who are disposed to prosecute experiments of
this nature: and indeed it is worth the trial, whether several lichens,
which we have plentifully enough in England, would not answer in this
respect.