54 THE FUNGI OF DWELLING! HOUSES. 



any in this group indicates a confirmed State of dampness, quite incom- 

 patible with a healthy condition of a dwelling house. 



We have thus briefly glanced at a subject which deserves much 

 more extended notice, especially that part of it which relates to their 

 sanitary influence. It has been established, beyond doubt, that the spores 

 of fungi are capable of producing evil effects, such, for example, as those 

 of the common puff-ball when passed into the lungs by breathing, and it 

 is not unreasonable to conclude that many of these household species may 

 exert a like evil influence. The case of one of the assistants in the 

 Botanic Gardens of Edinburgh having experienced injury from this 

 cause, and the fact quoted in that admirable little book entitled " Fungi . 

 their Nature, Influence, and Uses," as to the black rust of the seed 

 Arundo donax, producing eruptions on the skin, point cleaiiy to this con- 

 clusion. Who shall say how many of the ailments of children, as well 

 as grown people, may be attributed to this cause, though never for a 

 moment suspected. The showers of invisible spores thrown off by a 

 patch of black mould the size of a human hand may fill the atmosphere 

 of a room with disease-producing bodies none the less potent because 

 they cannot be seen. Besides this, as we have already shown, the 

 presence of fungi invariably indicates a state of unwholesome dampness 

 in the apartment where they are found, suggesting the necessity of better 

 drainage and ventilation. They thus perform for us, in one way, the 

 office of a friend, by warning us of the unhealthy condition of our 

 house ; while, if such warning be despised, they may become our most 

 formidable foes. 



Hymenomycetes. 



1. — Coprinus aphthosus, Fr. Scaly Coprinus. On decaying moist wood in 



cellars, cold kitchens, &c. 

 2. — Coprinus radians, Fr. Radiating Coprinus. On plaster walls. 

 3. — Coprinus domesticus, (Pers.) Domestic Coprinus. On damp carpets. 

 4. — Lentinus lepideus, Fr. Scaly Lentinus. On rafters. 

 5.— Parvus viola ceo- fidvus, Batsch. Violet-brown Panus. On wood in 



cellars ; not British. 

 6. — Polyporus destructor, Fr. Destructive Polyporus. On worked wood 



in houses. 

 7. — Polyporus cryptarum, Fr. Cellar Polyporus. In cellars ; not British. 

 8. — Polyporus hybridus,) B. and Br. Dry-rot Polyporus. On oak in 



houses and ships. 

 9. — Polyporus Vaillantii, Fr. Vaillant's Polyporus. In cellars. 

 10. — Mcrulius lacrymans, Fr. Dry-rot Merulius. On beams and wood in 



houses. 

 11. — Stereum hirsutum, Fr. Hairy Stereum. On damp wood and wate? 



butts. 

 12. — Corticium puteaneum, Schum. Well corticium. On damp Wood in 



cellars, wells, &c. 

 13. — Corticium aridum,Fr. Parched Corticium. On pine wood in houses* 



Mtxomycetes. Slime Fungi* 

 14. — Lycogala parietinum, Fr. Paper Lycogala* On paper* 



