152 Transactions of the 



secondary consequence, the pulmonary tissue itself had become some- 

 what atrophied. The vegetable parasite, moreover, seemed to have 

 extended its areal distribution towards the ribs and breast-bone, 

 the inner hning membrane (periosteum) of which, and even the 

 bones themselves, were roughened. 



The microscopic characters of the cryptogamic substance in 

 this case agreed in most respects with that of No. 1 ; the echinate 

 cells and filamentous threads being very distinct. Some other 

 duties occupied my immediate attention at the time, so I could 

 only satisfy myself of near identity with former cases, whilst my 

 artist produced a faithful drawing of the vegetation in situ. 



Probably one of the earliest, well-authenticated observations of 

 vegetable growth within the body of a bird is that of the celebrated 

 John Hunter, in his notes on the dissection of a Sea-gull (Larus 

 marinus).* I quote it in full; for, from only being published of 

 late years, though it is a century since his memorandum was written, 

 Continental and other authorities do not allude to it. Moreover, it 

 possesses another interest from the gull having been alive when 

 undoubtedly the growth sprung up ; for some writers have hinted 

 that fungi may be developed subsequent to death, which this 

 instance demonstrates to the contrary. 



Hunter says : — " This bird I kept in the garden upon flesh for 

 about a month ; and about four or five days before I killed it, it 

 was taken HI, so that it did not eat, but grew worse and worse till 

 I killed it. On opening the abdomen I saw a number of white 

 spots ; some on the kidneys, some on the membranous partitions, 

 and others upon the stomach. These I found to be chiefly mould : 

 some parts of them were green, and had a down [Mucedo] upon 

 them. This mould must have formed before death ; and, although 

 one can hardly beheve it, yet so it must have been, for it was seen 

 in less than twelve hours after death; and if a little could have 

 been produced in that time, yet the whole could not, for some of it 

 was more than a quarter of an inch thick. The membranous par- 

 titions were thick and inflamed, and I account for this mould in 

 this way. We know that there is aii- within the cavity of the 

 abdomen, which is taken in by the windpipe and goes through the 

 lungs, from thence through the diaphragm into the abdomen. 

 Now, if this air was at all confined, and did not get out for a 

 supply of fresh to get in, it would certainly putrefy the juices that 

 were thrown out by inflammation, and these juices might become 

 mouldy before death. This is a hint that the air in an emphysema 

 should be let out, and not allowed to become putrid." 



Dr. Bennett's paper, akeady referred to, contains a succinct 

 repertory of faxjts and literature concerning parasitical vegetables 



* • Essays and Observation&,' edited by Trof. Owen, 185r», vol. ii., p. 329. 



