which are Parafitks of the H'hciU. 121 



fieJ with obfcrving that every particle of Brand was a globular feed ; 

 not the lead variation in Ihape or magnitude was vifiblc amonglt 

 them. I afterwards put a drop of water upon them, and let them 

 remain in this fituation for fonie time; but it produced no altera- 

 tion whatfoever in their appearance. I afterwards examined in the 

 fame way the dud of one of the ftellated Lycoperdons which I hap- 

 pened to have by me; but the particles of this were much fmallcr 

 than thofe of the Brand, and not of a form fo vifibly determinate. 

 Mr. Lathbury alfo tried a variety of experiments with the fame 

 view; and in every one "the duft when diluted with water in- 

 flantly feparated, and prefented to the eye invariably a number of 

 globules, touching each other, alike in form and fize." 



It now remains for confideration, how thclc feeds vegetate and 

 afcend from the feed with the growing plant till they reach the 

 heart of the grain. This is an inquiry that may be extended to a 

 great number of the Ftingi^ which without impropriety may be 

 denominated y?^/'^«/^«^o«i vegetables; for inftance, the feveral fpe- 

 cics of JEcidhim (for they are numerous), Uredo (r), and not a few 

 aphacriiT^ except that thefe latter grow upon decaying fubftances : 

 but thefe I fhall let alone, and only offer a conjei^ture, for it is 

 merely fuch, with refped to the Brand. Perhaps then the uncom- 

 monly minute feeds of this Fungus may attach themfelves either to 

 the pluvmla, and fo pafs through the air vefTels into the plant ; or 

 elfe to the rojiellum^ which to me fecms moft probable ; and in that 

 cafe they may be propelled through the fap vefTels with the fap, till 

 at length they arrive at their final feat, the heart of the germen. 

 Whether this fpecies belong to the genus Retlcularia or not, I mufl 

 leave to be determined by thofe gentlemen who are more deeply 

 (killed in " cryptogamk lore''' than I am. 



(r) Are Mcidium and Uredo fu£Eciently diftin£l ? 



Vol. V. R The 



