40 , 
the fungi which send forth laterally, in all directions, thread- 
like filaments which become so entirely interwoven, as entirely 
to cover and enclose the skin of the grape in a compact and 
fine network, and on each is seen the egg-shaped capsule or 
seed pod. Mildew in corn—the potato, tomata, cucumber 
diseases—are all fungi of the same description. 
Moist rocks, stones, and old walls will also yield specimens 
within our reach of interest, quite as great as the Yeast Plant, 
or any of these minute fungi. There is a plant called the 
Gory Dew, which appears as a red stain on the surface of 
damp objects. If a little of this is scraped off the part to 
which it is attached, it will be found, under the Microscope, 
to consist of a number of separate minute cells. This plant 
belongs to the same family as the red snow plant; the rapid 
growth of whose minute organism has given rise to alarm and 
fear when its true nature was not understood. One of this 
family attacks bread, and gives it the appearance of being 
dipped in blood. Ale mould, subjected to the Microscope, 
will amply repay, by its simple structure and rapid growth, 
the patience of the investigator. The mould found on the sur- 
face of preserves, consists of a mass of filaments or threads 
serving as its base, from the which filaments arise bearing a 
number of minute cells, which are spores or reproducing 
organs. Plants of this kind are to be found on leaves in Au- 
tumn, forming irregular spots of a yellow, red, or black colour. 
If wheat is allowed to germinate in a damp place, the little 
rootlet it sends down will be found covered over with minute 
fungi. Seeds as well as fruit are liable to the attack of fungi 
during their decay ; it attacks even the oil casks in the London 
Docks, its fibres resembling threads of black silk, whilst the 
spores are scattered about the fibres. As before said, fungi 
attack the human body, and are found to be the cause of several 
painful and fatal diseases. It is probable that in all fungi, and 
certain that in most of them, the first development of the plant 
consists in filamentous or thread-like matter which radiates 
from the centre formed by the spores or seeds, and the cel- 
lular spheroidal appearances are subsequently developed with a 
view to the dispersion of the spores. So much for the minute 
fungi which may be enjoyed by young Microscopists at all 
seasons of the year. 
In Summer a drop of water from the Warren or Walton 
