x  Olfrcotione upon certain Fungi, rd Pardi of ibe Wheat. 
By the Rev. William Kirby, FLL.S. ` 
Se February 5, 1799- 
erino me the time that my attention has been directed to thofe 
infects which frequent the wheat fields, I have: often had 
occafion to obferve the appearances produced i in that grain by feveral 
different fpecies of Fungi (a), which derive their nourifhment from 
it. Ithought of confidering this fubject at large; but as my time 
is likely to be fully employed in other purfuits,. Iíce no probability of 
doing this in the manner. that I could with; and therefore having 
- made fome obfervations, which, though by no means complete, may 
not be wholly unimportant, I now beg leave to lay them before the 
Linnean Society; trufting that they may ferve as hints to others 
who. may be inclined to enter more fully upon fo interefting a 
fubject. 
I have noticed be. or fix different. fpecies. of thefe. Fungi. The 
firft I fhall mention is named by Dr. Withering Reticularia Se getum (2). 
In the Rev. Henry Bryant's s pamphlet upon Brand (c), it is called 
(2) That thefe appearances are baika by minute vegetables of the onde? of Fungi, 
feems now to be CET by thofe naturalifts who are the moft- converfant with 
that order. 
(b) Bot. Arr. vol. iv. p. 383. 
(c) A particular Enquiry into the Caufes of that Difeafe. i in the Wheat commonly 
called Brand, &c. Norwich 1783. 
Duf 
~ Tm Ps nr 
