338 • 



• • 



in corn, occasioned by Puccinia graminis ; the smut and ergot, if they are 

 really any thing more than the diseased and disorganised tissue of the 

 plants affected ; the rust, which is owing to the ravages of iEcidiums ; and 

 finally, in this class is to be included what we call mildew, minute simple 

 articulated Mucors, Mucedos, and Byssi. The genus Rhizomorphai which 

 vegetates in dark mines far from the light of day, is remarkable for its 

 phosphorescent properties. In the coal mines near Dresden the species are 

 described as giving those places the air of an.enchanted castle ; the roofg, walls, 

 and pillars, are aitirely covered with them, their beautiful light almost dazzling 

 the eye. The light is found to increase with the temperature of the mines. 

 Ed. P. J. 14. 178. It is a most remarkable circumstance, and one which 

 deserves particular inquiry, that the growth of the minute Fungi, which con- 

 stitute what is called mouldiness, is effectually prevented by any kind of 

 perfume. It is known that books will not become mouldy in the neighbour- 

 hood of Russia leather, nor any substance, if placed within the influence of 

 some essential oil. Ibid. 8. 34. Boletus igniarius is used in India as a 

 styptic, as well as for Amadou. Ainslie, 1. 5. The Boleti, when wounded, 

 heal much in the same manner as the flesh of animals. Edin. Philosoph. 

 Journ. 14. 369. 



Examples. § Coniomycetes (Uredo, ^Ecidium, Mucor). 



§ Gasteromycetes (Sclerotium, Physarum, Lycoperdon). 



§ Pyrenomycetes (Hysterium, Sphseria). 



§ Hymenomycetes (Agaricus, Boletus, Clavaria). 



§ Byssacese (Racodium, Monilia, Erineum). 



CCLXXIT. ALGiE. The Sea-weed Tribe. 



Alg^., Juss. Gen. 5. (1788); Roth. Catalecta Botanica (1797); Dec. Fl. Fr. 2. 2. (1815); 

 Agardh Synops. Ahj. (1817.); Species Alg. (1821-1828); Syst. Alg. (1824); Gre- 



ville Aly. Brit. (1830) — Phycei, -^c/wmws (1807 ?) Thalassiophyta, La- 



mouroux Ann. Mus. 20. (1812) ; Gaillon in Diet, des Sc. 53. 350. (1828) Hydro- 



niYTA, Lyngb. Tentam. (181!)). — AnTnnoDiEiE, Bory in Diet. Class. 1. 591. 

 (1822) — Hydkonemate.f., Nces in Nov. Act. Nat. Cur. 11. 509. (1823); Ann. 

 des Sc. 1.3. 439. (1828) — Chaodine>e, CoNEERVyE, atid CEnAMiARiyE, Bory in 

 Diet. Class.XandA. (1823) — Ch.etoi'HOroide^:, Greville Fl. Edin. 321. (1824). 

 Hydrophyc-^e, Fries Syst. Orb. Veg. 320. (1825.) 



Diagnosis. Aquatic leafless flowerless plants. 

 Anomalies. 



Essential Character — Leafless flowerless plants, with no distinct axis of veffeta. 

 tion, growing in water, frequently lia\ing an animal motion, and consisting either of simple 

 vesicles lying in mucus, or of articulated filaments, or of lohed fronds, fomied of uniform 

 cellular tissue. Hcproductiue matter either altogether wanting, or contained in the joints 

 of the filaments, or deposited in thecip of various form, size, and position, caused by dila- 

 tations of the sulistance of the frond. Sporiiles, with no proper integument, in germina- 

 tion elongating in two opposite directions. 



Affinities. Whatever ingenuity may be employed in determining the 

 relative degree of dignity in the vegetable creation between Fungi, Lichens, 

 and Algse, it seems to me that the conclusion which is constantly arrived at 

 is, that Alga; are absolutely distinguishable from the two others only by their 



