Read The Script

Day 139: There is a secret message here, I'm sure of it, but even if I was conversant with Ogham script, the form of Gaelic used in mediaeval Ireland (or any Gaelic, for that matter) is out of my realm of expertise. Whatever Graphis scripta is trying to tell me, I can't read it. That said, I don't understand Italian either, but that doesn't prevent me from enjoying a good opera. Nor can I read Chinese, but I can admire the artistry in its written characters. Thus, Graphis scripta is one of my favourite lichens. The black "inscriptions" are in fact the fruiting bodies of this crustose species, specialized structures called "lirellae." Close examination of them would show that each "dash" is split down the center. The thallus (body) of the lichen is the whitish-grey background, one of several species of lichen which give our Red Alders the appearance of having grey bark.