202 ORIGIN OF MOULD. V. 
the elder Dr Monti, alfo-a very eminent botanift, 
has called the truth of his opinion in -queftion, 
and rather inclines to think that mould fprings 
by fpontaneous generation. Before difcufling 
this matter, which is fo interefting, it 1s proper 
to examine where the duft is found, which ren- 
ders it neceflary to make a brief analyfis of the 
heads of mould, which can only be done by fee- 
ing it ripen. Before maturity, the heads are of 
a whitifh and yellowifh colour, the furface very 
{mooth, and they are firmly attached to the ftalk. 
‘Broken with a fine needle, they feem membran- 
aceous, and full of a granulated fubftance. If, 
~ inftead of being broke, they burft, a number of 
moft minute round feeds fometimes come out; 
thefe are found both in the {pherical and fungi- 
form heads. When they blacken, the appearance 
changes ; ; the furface feems unequal ; it is lacer- 
ated in feveral places, and refembles a parcel of 
black rags. Many feeds are feen when opened ; 
but young mould has white feed, and old or ripe 
mould has black. By letting a drop of water 
fall on the heads, the feeds are feen more dif- 
tinctly and in greater abundance. On contaé& 
with the fluid, or a little afterwards, the heads 
burft and fcatter a cloud of feeds around ; fo that 
{ may affirm, without danger of exaggeration, a 
thoufand are in each head. The unripe heads 
do not open in this manner when wet; they re- 
main 
