FUNGI. 309 



cetes) ; (the first class of the second, or Ascus division) ; 

 and that of the threads in the sixth class (Physomy cetes). 

 We have considered useful fungi — those good for food 

 as the mushroom, chanterelle, morel and truffle ; those 

 useful in the preparation of food, as the yeast plant, the 

 vinegar plant, blue cheese mould, etc.; those useful for 

 other purposes, as the amadou of commerce, made from a 

 polypore ; snuff, made from another polypore ; a tricho- 

 gaster, used for dye ; and the puff-balls, for preserving 

 the lives of bees. We have looked with horror on 

 poisonous agarics, on the dry rot, stinkhorn, moulds, 

 bunts, smuts, mildews, and ergots, and seen how the 

 worst of all is converted into a blessing by the blessing 

 of God on man's ingenuity. Duly considering these 

 things, I trust we shall not feel our time among, the 

 fungi wasted. 



