THE FUNGI OF DWELLING HOUSES. 58 



size is not indispensable for effecting much injury. Nearly all this group 

 are found on damp wall paper, or damp plaster, and produce the dis- 

 colouration so frequently seen when moisture finds its way through or on 

 to a wall. To one unacquainted with these minute organisms it will be 

 a matter of surprise to be told that what looks like a patch of dirt or dust 

 is in reality a curious little forest of vegetation, of various species, which 

 spring up, nourish and decay, in the course of a few months, one crop 

 following another in continued succession, the more minute making way 

 for the larger and more conspicuous species. There is not more dis- 

 similarity in the trees of an ornamental park than can be seen in these 

 minute growths, each plant having its own characteristic outline and 

 peculiar fruit. Many of them are exceedingly beautiful, and. will well 

 repay careful examination by those who possess a microscope. We will 

 confine our remarks to one species (No. 30 iu the list,) which is known to 

 most people. I allude to the cellar fungus, Zasmidium eeUare. This 

 fungus, which forms the sombre drapery hanging over the arches of old 

 vaulted wine cellars, and in undisturbed bins in which are deposited 

 special vintages only to be produced with pride on festive occasions, 

 consists of a mass of entangled threads, bearing on certain parts spherical 

 vesicles not larger than a pin's head, of a brittle carbonaceous texture. 

 These vesicles are the sporangia, filled with minute spores, destined to 

 reproduce the species. 



By the kindness of Mr. Allen Harker, of Gloucester, we are able to 

 exhibit to you some specimens from the bonded cellars of that city, 

 bearing fruit. One of the specimens varies from the normal colour, being 

 of a rusty brown. This colour arises from its being impregnated with a 

 solution of some salt of iron. Mr. Harker says, "I have analysed the 

 incinerated ash, and find iron in large quantities." The only injurious 

 effect of this fungus is that it occasionally penetoates the corks, z-endering 

 recorking necessary, but not injuring the wine. Time will not allow of our 

 saying anything about the many interesting species contained in this 

 group, besides which it would be difficult without drawings to give any- 

 thing like an adequate notion of their interesting and often elegant 

 structure. 



The last group in our list to which we would direct attention are the 

 cup-shaped fungi, of which there are eight species, (Nos. 37 to 44,) found 

 on damp wood or walls, in various places about dwellings not properly 

 cared for. Their form is that of a miniature tea cup, from the fraction of 

 an inch to two or even three inches across. The colour of several is of a 

 sober drab or dirty white. They appear on the vertical surface of wood 

 or walls, often on ceilings, attached by their base, at which there is often 

 a manifest development of white, root-like threads (mycelium,) to which 

 they owe their origin. No. 39 in our list, called Balfour's Peziza, is a 

 pretty, purplish-white species, about one inch across. It occurred, for the 

 first time it had been noticed, on the walls of Inverleith House, near 

 Edinburgh, occupied by Professor Balfour. This house had been burnt 

 down previous to the Professor's occupation of it, and gave evident signs 

 that it had never become thoroughly dry since. Indeed, the presence of 



