360 



LOW FORMS OF FUNGOUS VEGETATION. 



Fig. 172. 



regularly disposed (Fig. 1 71), and closely resembling those of an 

 ordinary mycelium (compare Fig. 175, a), but occasionally exhibits 

 a distinct Fructification that enables its true character to be recog- 

 nized. * 



268. There are scarcely any Microscopic objects more beautiful 

 than some of those forms of ' Mould ' or ' Mildew, ' which are so 

 commonly fouud growing upon the surface of jams and other pre- 

 serves ; especially when they are viewed with a low magnifying 

 power, by reflected light. For they present themselves as a forest 

 of stems and branches, of extremely varied and elegant forms, 

 (Fig. 172), loaded with fruit of a singular delicacy of conforma- 

 tion, all glistening brightly on a dark ground. In removing a 

 portion of the ' Mould ' from the surface whereon it grows, for the 

 purpose of microscopic examination, it is desirable to disturb it no 

 more than can be helped, in order that it may be seen as nearly as 

 possible in its natural condition ; and it is therefore preferable to 

 take up a portion of the Membrane-like substance whereon it 

 usually rests, which is, in fact, a Mycelium composed of interlacing 

 filaments of the Vegetative part of the plant, the Stems and 

 branches being its Reproductive portion (§ 271). The universality 

 of the appearance of these simple forms of Fungi upon all spots 



favourable to their development 

 has given rise to the belief that they 

 are spontaneously produced by decay- 

 ing substances : but there is no occa- 

 sion for this mode of accounting for 

 it ; since the extraordinary means 

 adopted by Nature for the produc- 

 tion and diffusion of the germs of 

 these plants adequately suffices to 

 explain the facts of the case. The 

 number of sporules which any one 

 Fungus may develope, is almost in- 

 calculable ; a single individual of 

 the puff-ball tribe has been com- 

 puted to send forth no fewer than 

 ten millions. And their minuteness 

 is such that they are scattered 

 through the air in the condition of 

 the finest possible dust ; so that it 

 is difficult to conceive of a place 

 from which they should be excluded. 

 * See Prof. Kolliker 'On the frequent Occurrence of Vegetable 

 Parasites in the Hard Tissues of Animals,' in " Quart. Journ. of Microsc. 

 Science," Vol. viii., 1860, p. 171. — The Author feels it due to himself to 

 state that previously to the publication of his friend Prof. K.'s paper, he 

 had himself arrived at a similar conclusion in regard to the parasitic 

 nature of many of the Tubular structures which had been originally 

 regarded not merely by himself, but by Prof. Kolliker, as proper to the 

 Shells in which they occur. 



Stysanus caput-medusce. 



