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that what looks like a patch of dirt or dust is in reality a curious little forest of 

 vegetation, of various species, which spring up, flourish and decay, in the course 

 of a few months, one crop following another in continued succession, the more 

 minute making way for the larger and more conspicuous species. There is not 

 more dissimilarity in the trees of an ornamental park than can be seen in these 

 minute growths, each plant having its own characteristic outline and peculiar fruit. 

 Many of them are exceedingly beautiful, and will well repay the examination of 

 those who possess a microscope. We will confine our remarks to one species (No. 

 30 in the list, ) which is known to most people. I allude to the cellar fungus, Zas- 

 midium cellare. This fungus, which forms the sombre drapery hanging over the 

 arches of old vaulted wine cellars, and in undisturbed bins in which are deposited 

 special vintage.'; only to be produced with pride on festive occasions, consists of a 

 mass of entangled threads, bearing on certain parts spherical vesicles not larger 

 than a pin's head, of a brittle carbonaceous texture. These vesicles are the spor- 

 angia, filled with minute spores, destined to reproduce the species. 



By the kindness of Mr. Allen Harker, of Gloucester, we are able to exhibit 

 to you some specimens from the bonded cellars of that city, bearing fruit. One of 

 the specimens varies from the normal colour, being of a rusty brown. This colour 

 arises from its being impregnated with a .solution of some salt of iron. Mr. 

 Harker says, " I have analysed the incinerated ash, and find iron in large quanti- 

 ties." The only injurious effect of this fungus is that it occasionally penetrates 

 the corks, rendering recorking necessary, but not injuring the wine. Time will 

 not allow of our saying anything about the many interesting species contained in 

 this group, besides which, it would be difficult without drawings to give anything 

 like an adequate notion of their interesting and often elegant structure. 



The last group in our list to which we would direct attention are the cup- 

 shaped fungi, of which there are eight species, (Nos. 37 to 44, ) found on damp 

 wood or walls, in various places about dwellings not properly cared for. Their 

 form is that of a minature tea cup, from the fraction of an inch to two or even 

 three inches across. The colour of several is of a sober drab or dirty white. They 

 appear on the vertical surface of wood or walls, often on ceilings, attached by their 

 base, at which there is often a manifest development of white, root-like threads 

 (mycelium), to which they owe their origin. No. 39 in our list, called Balfour's 

 Peziza, is a pretty, purplish-white species, about one inch across. It occurred, 

 for the first time it had been noticed, on the walls of Inverleith House, near 

 Edinburgh, occupied by Professor Balfour. This house had been burnt down 

 previous to the Professor's occupation of it, and gave evident signs that it had 

 never become thoroughly dry since. Indeed, the presence of any m this group 

 indicates a confirmed state of dampness, quite incompatible with a healthy con- 

 dition of a dwelling house. 



We have thus briefly glanced at a subject which deserves much more ex- 

 tended notice, especially that part of it which relates to their sanitary influence. 

 It has been established, beyond doubt, that the spores of fungi are capable of 

 producing evil effects, such, for example, as those of the common puff-ball when 



