In the upright radiate thallus, more especially among the _Ramalinae_, though also among _Cladoniae_[381], there has appeared a reticulate thallus resulting from the elongate splitting of the tissues, and due to unequal growth tension and straining of the gelatinous cortex when swollen with moisture. In several species of _Ramalina_, the strap-shaped frond is hollow in the centre; and strands of strengthening fibres give rise to a series of cortical ridges. The thinner tissue between is frequently torn apart and ellipsoid openings appear which do not however pierce beyond the central hollow. Such breaks are irregular and accidental though occurring constantly in _Ramalina fraxinea_, _R. dilacerata_, etc. A more complete type of reticulation is always present in a Californian lichen, _Ramalina reticulata_, in which the large flat frond is a delicate open network from tip to base (Fig. 64). It grows on the branches of deciduous trees and hangs in crowded tufts up to 30 cm. or more in length. Usually it is so torn, that the real size attainable can only be guessed at. It is attached at the base by a spreading discoid hold-fast, and, in mature plants, consists of a stoutish main axis from which side branches are irregularly given off. These latter are firm at the base like the parent stalk, but soon they broaden out into very wide fronds. Splitting begins at the tips of the branches while still young; they are then spathulate in form with a slightly narrower recurved tip, below which the first perforations are visible, small at first, but gradually enlarging with the growth of the frond. [Illustration: Fig. 64. _Ramalina reticulata_ Krempelh. Portion of frond (after Cramer).] _Ramalina reticulata_ is an extremely gelatinous lichen and the formation of the network was supposed by Lutz[382] to be entirely due to the swelling of the tissues, or the imbibition of water, causing tension and splitting. A more exact explanation of the phenomenon is given by Peirce[383]: he found that it was due to the thickened incurved tip, which, on the addition of moisture, swells in length, breadth and thickness, causing it to bend slightly upwards and then curve backwards over the thallus, thus straining the part immediately behind. These various movements result in the splitting of the frond while it is young and the cortices are thin and weak. Peirce made a series of experiments to test the capacity of the tissues to support tensile strains. In a dry state, a piece of the lichen held a weight up to 150 grms.; when wet it broke with a weight of 30 grms. It was also observed that the thickness of the frond doubled on wetting. E. ROOTING BASE IN FRUTICOSE LICHENS Fruticose and filamentous lichens are distinguished by their mode of attachment to the substratum: instead of a system of rhizinae or of hairs spread over a large area, there is usually one definite rooting base by which the plant maintains its hold on the support.