MICKOSCOPIC FUNGI. 



CHAPTER I. 



CLUSTER-CUPS. 



IN these latter days, when everyone who possesses 

 a love for the marvellous, or desires a knowledge 

 of some of the minute mysteries of nature, has, 

 or ought to have, a microscope, a want is occa- 

 sionally felt which we have essayed to supply. 

 This want consists in a guide to some systematic 

 botanical study, in which the microscope can be 

 rendered available, and in which there is ample 

 field for discovery, and ample opportunity for the 

 elucidation of facts only partly revealed. Fungi, 

 especially the more minute epiphyllous species, 

 present just such an opportunity as many an 

 ardent student would gladly take advantage of; 

 one great obstacle to the pursuit being, until lately, 

 found in the absence of any hand-book to this 

 section of the British Flora embracing the emen- 

 dations, improvements, and additions of the past 

 forty-two years (the period at which the fifth 



B 



