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passed into the lungs by breathing, and it is not unreasonable to conclude that 

 many of these household species may exert a like evil influence. The case of one 

 of the assistants in the Botanic Gardens of Edinburgh having experienced injury 

 from this cause, and the fact quoted in that admirable little book entitled 

 "Fungi: their Nature, Influence, and Uses," as to the black rust of the seed, 

 Arundo donax, producing eruptions on the skin, point clearly to this conclusion. 

 Who shall say how many of the ailments of children, -as well as grown people, may 

 be attributed to this cause, though never for a moment suspected. The showers 

 of invisible spores thrown off by a patch of black mould the size of a human hand 

 may fill the atmosphere of a room with disease- producing bodies none the less 

 potent because they cannot be seen. Besides this, as we have already shown, the 

 presence of fungi invariably indicates a state of unwholesome dampness in the apart- 

 ment where they are found, suggesting the necessity of better drainage and venti- 

 lation. They thus perform for us, in one way, the office of a friend, by warning 

 us of the unhealthy condition of our house ; while, if such warning be despised, 

 they may become our most formidable foes. 



Htmknomycetks. 



1. — Coprinus aphthosus, Fr. Scaly Coprinus. On decaying moist wood in 

 cellars, cold kitchens, &c. 



2. — Coprinus radians, Fr. Radiating Coprinus. On plaster walls. 



3. — Copr imis domesticus (Pers.). Domestic Coprinus. On damp carpets. 



4. — Lentinus lepideus, Fr. Scaly Lentinus. On rafters. 



5. — Partus violaceo-fulvus, Batsch. Violet-brown Panus. On wood in 

 cellars ; not British. 



6. — Polyporus destructor, Fr. Destructive Polyporus. On worked wood in 

 houses. 



7. — Polyporus cryptarum, Fr. Cellar Polyporus. In cellars ; not British. 



8. — Polyporus hybridus, B. and Br. Dry-rot Polyporus. On oak in houses 

 and ships. 



9. — Polyporus Vaillantii, Fr. Vaillant's Polyporus. In cellars. 



10. — Merulius lacryraans, Fr. Dry-rot Merulius. On beams and wood in 

 houses. 



11. — Stereuni hirsutum, Fr. Hairy Stereum. On damp wood and water 

 butts. 



12. — Corticium puteanum, Schum. Well Corticium. On damp wood in 

 cellars, wells, &c. 



13. — Corticium aridum, Fr. Parched Corticium. On pine wood in hovises. 



Myxomycites. (Slime Fungi. ) 

 14. — Lycogola parietinum, Fr. Paper Lycogola. On paper. 

 CONIOMYCETES. (Dust Fungi.) 



15. — Torula murorum. Cord. Wall Torula. On walls. 

 16. — Sporidesmium alternarict, Cooke. Paper sporidesmium. On damp 

 wall paper. 



