536 EXPLOEATOEY NOTICES TOE NOVEMBEE. 



like the deserted columns of a ruined temple ragged 



with weeds. 



" The Hawthorn there, 



With moss and lichen grey, dies of old age." * 



Yet here, occasionally, the eye of research is rewarded 

 by observing some rare and curious fungus, as the 

 Agaricus odorus, scenting the shade, the huge Poly- 

 porus squmnosus, its lobes piled high upon each other, 

 or the singular varnished grotesque P. lucidus, besides 

 numerous more minute ones. We have occasionally 

 spent an amusive hour in proking with a stick among 

 the damp fallen leaves in a coppice. Numerous cu- 

 rious and even elegant Fungi were thus disclosed to 

 view, such as the Beech-mast and other Pezizce, Cra- 

 terium pedunculatum, minute coloured TricMce, &c. 

 In this way an industrious mycologist may find food, 

 especially with the microscope, to employ many a 

 dreary winter's day. 



But a pelting storm breaks in upon the studies and 

 delights of the exploring botanist ; and beneath some 

 ivied oak, projecting brambly bank, or bower of wild 

 feathery Clematis, he is forced to seek a temporary 

 shelter as the howling storm vents its fury upon the 

 darkened landscape. It breaks in pealing uproar 

 upon the forest, and the lofty branches creak and 

 groan around the deluge falls in one continuous 

 splash upon the soaked leaves but lo, a break of 

 light ! a sudden impulse hurries the dark squadrons 

 far on, and a brilliant iris starts up irradiant at the 

 foot of the pleased shelterer. 



* GRAHAME. 



