FUNGI. 271 



covered with, moulds, some zoned with confervse, but not 

 one the least like my beautiful lop-eared specimens ! 



The Dacrymyces group are minute fungi-like pimples 

 of jelly on dead wood, or the trunks of trees. The orange 

 species (D. stillatus) is very common ; a constant para- 

 site on pine rails. It grows in great abundance near the 

 railway station at Warwick. The pretty golden cup 

 Dacrymyces (D. chrysocomus) is rare ; we have no speci- 

 men of it. 



Thus we reach the end of the first great family of 

 fungi ; those whose fruit-bearing part is exposed. AVe 

 would fain clear away the prejudices against the whole 

 race, but this is difficult ; for in the present day pre- 

 judice can only be vanquished by utilitarianism, and we 

 can only claim the protection of that for a very limited 

 number of fungi. People have been too long accustomed 

 to consider them as evil signs : and Shellev furthers the 

 popular superstition. 



"Agarics, and fungi, with mildew and mould. 

 Started like mist from the wet ground, cold, 

 Pale, fleshy, as if the decaying dead 

 With a spirit of growth had been animated. "' 



Surely the high intelligence of the nineteenth century 

 woidd do better to emulate Bishop Main's style of deal- 

 ing with the fungi! Let us prevail on our gentle 

 readers to tread in his steps. 



" For mostly in the forest dank. 

 Or mid the meadow's herbage rank, 

 "When flora's lovelier tribes give place, 

 The mushrum's scorn'd but curious race. 



