194 



The Boleti, as far as I have observed, seem to be more abundant on the 

 lighter soils, but many of the Elvellacei seem to prefer the heavy soils. 



Living, as I do, in a district where the soil is chiefly clay, or marl, I am 

 always struck with the scarcity of fungi, compared with those districts where the 

 soil is lighter. I do not, of course, mean that a careful search on the heavy soils 

 will not be repaid, but that the species are not so abundant. 



With regard to the situation which fungi usually prefer, those in woods are 

 usually most abundant in the more shaded parts, with a southern aspect, where 

 the growth of underwood has been sufficiently long in continuance to hinder the 

 growth of the flowering plants, and to leave the ground tolerably bare. 



The thicker the growth of underwood, and the longer it has been left un- 

 disturbed by cutting, the more prolific will the soil be in fungi, should the season 

 be a good one. A wet and moist situation is not usually very productive in 

 Agarics, but the soil which is damp, without being actually wet, seems to suit 

 them better. 



Ground which "poaches" up when walked upon, and where the water 

 stands in puddles, will seldom prove very productive of fungi, at least of the 

 Hymenomycetes. Some of the Ascomycetes seem, however, to prefer those damp 

 situations, as I have found Lcotia lubrica, Peziza acetabulum, badia, trechispora, 

 and umbrata, on very wet, and damp banks. Often that kind of ground will 

 yield Elvellacei, which is too wet for Agarics. 



Certain fungi again, are addicted to the vicinity of particular trees. Firs, 

 oaks, and beech, seem to be most preferred, but elms and ash are not so much 

 frequented by them ; morels, however, prefer the latter trees. The reason of this 

 is, perhaps, that the nourishment contained in the decaying leaves of the first- 

 named trees, is more suitable for the growth of fungi, than what is contained in 

 the leaves of the last-named ; or else that ash, and elm, abstract more of the con- 

 stituents from the soil, necessary for the growth of fungi, than do the former trees. 

 The three S's of Fungology, viz.. Season, Soil, and Situation, deserve more 

 attention than they have hitherto received, and I do not doubt, but that more 

 attention will, in time, be paid to these subjects, for I think that fungi have, the 

 same as the flowering plants, their special times of year for appearing, as well as 

 their favourite soils and situations. 



THE FUNGI OF OUR DWELLING HOUSES. 

 [By William Phillips, F.L.S.] 



The important part which the minute vegetable forms of life classed as Fungi, 

 are believed by the most competent authorities to play in the production of 

 diseases in the human frame, may warrant a brief account from a botanical point 



