181 



On some of the Fungi f on ml in the Bath District. By C. E. Broome, 

 M.A., F.L.S. 



(I^ead Uth March, 1879.; 



1 propose to continue the remarks on the fungi of the neigh- 

 bourhood of Bath, made before the Field Chib on previous 

 occasions, by giving some account of the Family of Hyphomycetes. 



The Hyphomycetes arc characterised by a filamentous structure 

 which creeps over the substance on which it grows, and from 

 whose threads erect, fertile stems are produced. These plants 

 are known ftxmiliarly as Moulds, and present themselves to us in 

 every form and situation. Their importance in nature is very 

 great ; in some cases acting as scourges, in others as benefactors 

 to the human race. It is considered by those who have studied 

 the subject that the ferments of beer, wine, and other fluids are 

 ' caused by the growth of Penicillium belonging to this Family, and 

 of other allied fungi. 



Penicillium glaucum, which is said to cause the ferment of beer, 

 mdi has been named Saccharorayces cerevisioe, from cerevisia an 

 ancient name for beer, may be charged not only with the evils 

 arising from the abuse of this favourite drink by its indirect action, 

 but is, in its direct effects, one of the plagues of man. Taking its 

 origin from very minute spores (conidia) which are carried about 

 by the air, and which seem to be present in every place, and 

 always ready to grow, it attacks our proiasions, our fruits, our 

 dried plants, our meat raw or cooked, nor does it scruple to attack 

 our persons, having been found in the ears and other cavities of 

 the human body. * Appearing at fii'st as delicate, branched 



♦ In his address to a medical class, at King's College, London, in October, 

 1877, Professor Lister says, treating of fermentation — " The large class of 

 diseases termed zymotic f derive their name from the hypothesis that their 

 essential nature is fermentative," and "the most frequent evil in operations 

 and the most pernicious in its effects, both upon the wounded part and upon 

 the constitution, is putrefactive fermentation." And again, "Blood drawn 



t Zymotiu, from zamoo, to feiment by leaven. 



Vol. IV., No. 3. 



