FUNGI. 759 
to arise from the spores of some species of Coprinus. The great 
success of the antiseptic treatment, first introduced by Sir Joseph 
Lister, and since carried out by him with such energy, skill, 
and ability, is also due to its preventing the growths of such 
Fungi as the Bacteria in the discharges of wounds, in which 
otherwise they would cause putrefaction. The action of Fungi 
in disease is now under investigation by accurate and dis- 
criminating observers, and promises to throw much light on our 
knowledge of the causes and propagation of various diseases ; 
it is one replete with importance and interest, but which cannot 
be entertained further in this volume. 
In the same way various diseases of animals generally are 
either caused, or accelerated, by the attacks of Fungi. Thus 
the disease in the silkworm known under the name of mus- 
cardine is produced by one or more species of Botrytis. Similar 
diseases also occur in otheranimals. Caterpillars are frequently 
attacked by species of Sphxria or Claviceps, in China, Australia, 
New Zealand, and elsewhere, and ultimately destroyed. The 
mucous membrane of birds is also commonly infested with 
Fungi of various kinds. 
In other ways, again, Fungi are often very destructive. 
Thus the disease called Dry Kot, which frequently occurs in 
wood, is especially caused by dampness, and the subsequent 
development of the spores of such Fungi as those of Merulius 
lacrymans and M. vastator, and Polyporus destructor. The 
different kinds of Moulds which are found on bread, cheese, 
preserves, fruits, paper, books, and various other substances, 
are also Fungi of the species Mucor, Botrytis, Aspergillus, Peni- 
cillium, Oidium, &c. 
An interesting matter connected with the action of Fungi 
on organic matters is also afforded by the process of fermentation, 
which is now commonly regarded as being essentially caused by 
Fungi. Thus, Pasteur has demonstrated that the fermentation 
of saccharine fluids is due to the development in them of the 
Yeast plant, and the butyric fermentation to the growth of 
Bacteria. 
Agaricus.— Aguricus campestris, the Common Mushroom, and its varie- 
ties—A. arvensis, A. oreades (the Champignon), A. deliciosus, A. cwsareus 
and A, procerus, &c.—are largely used for food in this and other parts of the 
world. (See Properties und Uses of Fungi, page 757.) The subterranean 
mycelium of various species of Agaricus, as that of A. oreades, A. prunulus, 
A. Orcella, A. campestris, and others, and of allied genera, developes in 
a radiating manner, and, by the remains acting subsequently as a manure, 
causes the grass in our meadows, in such places, to grow in a very luxuriant 
manner in rings, which are commonly called fairy rings. 
Amanita (Agaricus) muscaria is a very poisonous species. _It possesses 
narcotic and intoxicating qualities, and is much used in Kamtschatka 
and some other parts of the Russian empire as a narcotic and intoxicating 
agent. This fungus possesses the remarkable property of imparting its 
intoxicating qualities to the fluid excretions of those who partake of it. 
When steeped in milk, and other liquids, it acts as a poison to flies ; hence 
