FUNGI. 285 



they, as a consequence, gradually appear upon the 

 basidia, or spore-bearing spicules, at the rate of 

 one hundred thousand every minute." 



Although the calculation was made many years 

 ago, and by what process we do not know, yet the 

 venerable Fries calculated the number of spores, 

 which are simple cells, that are developed in a 

 fungus which seldom exceeds two inches in diameter. 

 He says, "The sporules are so infinite, — in a single 

 individual of Reticularia maxima, I have reckoned 

 above ten millions — so subtile they are scarcely 

 visible to the naked eye, and often resemble thin 

 smoke, so light, raised perhaps by evaporation into 

 the atmosphere, and are dispersed in so many ways, 

 that it is difficult to conceive a place from which 

 they can be excluded." We have also in remem- 

 brance some calculations made on the production 

 of spores by the giant puff-ball, which are far more 

 astounding, but the reference has hitherto evaded 

 our search. Suffice it to say that the formation of 

 cells in the soft fleshy fungi, under favourable con- 

 ditions, are so enormous as almost to stagger our 

 faith in figures. 



" Thou art in small things great, not small in any : 

 Thy even praise can neither rise nor fall. 

 Thou art in all things one, in each thing many : 

 For Thou art infinite in one and all." 



Microbes. 



The observations of recent years, consequent upon 

 the improvements of the microscope, have resulted 

 in demonstrating the existence and the nature of 



