48 MICROSCOPIC FUNGI. 



is barely possible for him ever to have beard the 

 ergot of grain called by tbe name of mildew. 



How long this disease bas been known, is an 

 unsolved problem. About tbe middle of the last 

 century a tract was published on this subject in 

 Italy, but this was probably not even the first inti- 

 mation of its fungoid character. Before such con- 

 clusion had been arrived at, men may have struggled 

 in the dark, through many generations, to account 

 for a phenomenon with which they were doubtless 

 familiar in its effects. In 1805, Sir Joseph Banks 

 published his " Short Account/' illustrated by en- 

 gravings from the inimitable drawings of Bauer, 

 whereby many in this country learnt, for the first 

 time, the true nature of mildew. 



With a view to the clearer understanding of these 

 parasites in the phases of their development, let us 

 select one, and we cannot do better than adhere to 

 that of the wheat and other graminaceous plants. 

 A fine day in May or June dawns upon our prepara- 

 tions for a stroll, far enough into the country to find 

 a wheat-field. Even now, with the area of the 

 metropolis constantly widening, and banishing 

 farmers and wheat fields farther and farther from 

 the sound of Bow-bells, a corn field may be reached 

 by a good stiff walk from Charing- Cross, or a six- 

 penny ride at the most, in nearly any direction. 

 Having reached the field, it may be premised that a 

 walk into it of less than twenty yards will be sure 

 to reward you with the fungus we are in quest of. 



