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®n tbe StuJ)^ of flDicio^jfungi. 



By W. Thomson. Plate XVII. 



THE study of fungi, while being regarded by many as perhaps 

 one of the most uninviting which the world of nature affords, 

 is, nevertheless, regarded by others as one of the most 

 fascinating of the many branches of Natural Science. One man 

 smites down with his stick every fungoid growth that appears 

 before him, whereas another man would almost as soon think of 

 smiting down a friend. If those of us, however, who are regard- 

 less of the fungi world were privileged to enter the sancticm sancto- 

 rum of some mycologist who has devoted years to the study and 

 collection of fungi, our indifference would be supplanted by deep 

 interest. As he displays the treasures of his collection, drawer 

 after drawer filled with boxes, and shelf after shelf laden with 

 bottles, all containing specimens, and describes with enthusiasm 

 some particular points in their life-history, or some exciting hunt he 

 had in quest of them, it will begin to dawn upon us that there 

 must be something in it after all. I have been in the rooms of a 

 certain mycologist (lately deceased), where every available resting 

 place was occupied either with specimens or with literature on the 

 subject, and where even the dining-table was literally covered, save 

 a small portion reserved at one end for its legitimate use, with 

 fragments of bark, broken pieces of branches, withered leaves, and 

 miscellaneous piles of specimens, which had just been brought 

 home for examination. In the midst of such disorder, however, 

 my friend was in his element. He seemed thoroughly possessed 

 with his favourite hobby, and dwelt with manifest pride upon his 

 specimens. He ate many of the species, talked continually about 

 them, and indeed appeared to live entirely for fungi. 



If we had followed our friend into his happy hunting grounds, 

 we should have found him prowling about old stick-yards, creeping 

 along dry ditches, or laboriously examining one by one the fir 

 cones, leaves, or broken twigs, which covered the floor of some 

 plantation. Indeed, so enthusiastic and diligent was he that it 

 was often said that he had fungus on the brain ; but he heeded not 



International Journal of Microscopy and Natural Science. 

 Third Series. Vol. V. aa 



