M. C. COOKE OS BLACK MOULDS. 



usual to repair hedges by thrusting in cut branches of hawthorn, 

 sloe, maple, and other plants to fill np the gaps made by predatory 

 bovs. These branches m : grow, a nd the ends which are thr\. -" 

 into the ground, not only help to fix them, but also to keep them 

 moist, and help to develope the black moulds. Such a 6] t shon 

 be examined. The~e hints « . h m rer, probably be suffiek f I 

 indicate the kind of pi - st favourable in which - G black 

 moulds, and how to carry them home. The next point is how I 

 examine them when we get them there. I always prefer, in the 

 first instance, to attach date and localities to the spoil of the day, 

 before examination, which provides for another hunt if any sr : 

 proves unusually productive, and localises a good thing, the 

 precise spot for which might be forgotten if not done at once. I: - 

 always useful to add. whenever it is post - - . the name : 



the stick. : a if on which the mould occurs, whether sloe or 



maple, holly or hawthorn, nettle or thistle. 



Having 1 prepared for examination, it maybe prem - that in 

 case of Moulds no previous soa kin g or damping is desirable, 

 although this is essential for the Aseom; I - fungi. It - - 

 method always to look at a specimen firsl '■-■■[ ket lens, then 

 with a two-inch objective, and lastly with a quarter-inch. For the 

 latter, of course, some preparation is necessary, and to accomp.:- 

 this it mav be well to detail my own method. In ore- ri - .in, 

 first of all, the true character of the mould, a preliminary a- 



I n is made by taking off a small quantity of ti :ld on I 



point of a sharp knife, and transferring it to a _ bsg abide. A very 

 minute drop of water first placed in the centre of the slide is suffi- 

 cient to cause the mould to leave the knife and adhere to the slide, 

 but not sufficient to spread over it, and cause the spores to leave 

 their attachment to th thi -. It is essential to ascertain 

 how the B] : - are attached to the threads, whether singly or m 

 clusters, whether terminal or lateral ; and inasmuch as the i 

 of moisture is sufficient to cause them at once : I ak from ther 

 supports, the examination can only be performed bef: : : mould 

 is moistened. In order to do this the mica scope sfa aid be placed 

 erect, the small fragment of mould on the slide covered with thin 

 glass, and then submitted to the quarter inch objective, dry. It 

 will t>e conceded at once that a most imperfect fiew will thus be 

 obtained of the mould, but by the exercise of care and patience it 

 will not be impossible to make out all essential particulars as to 



