62 SKETCH OF THE LIFE AND CHARACTER 
of decorticated oak that were lying on the ground, 
and hardly distinguishable from them by its colour, 
he discovered a most diminutive species of fungus, 
which owing to its extreme minuteness and its 
resemblance to other plants of the same natural 
family, had been overlooked by former botanists. 
From its peculiar structure, which could only be 
detected by the compound microscope, he gave 
this plant the name of Hnerthenema elegans.* 
In the following year he made another commu- 
nication to the same Society in a letter addressed 
to Robert Brown, Esq., F. R. S., and V. P. L. S.F 
This paper exhibits in an eminent degree his 
patience and accuracy in conducting the minutest 
observations, and his acuteness in making distine- 
tions, and noticing exceptions te general laws. 
With extreme care he separated the parasite 
from the root of the ash tree to which it had 
adhered, and then subjected it to a microscopic 
examination. In its mode of growth he pointed 
out a beautiful instance of what Paley has called 
an interrupted analogy; its stem, contrary to 
the usual tendency of plants, shooting downwards 
* From évep3e and via, alluding to the insertion of its fila- 
ments into the under surface of the pileus. 
t+ On the Parasitical Connexion of Lathrea Squamaria, 
and the peculiar structure of its subterranean leaves. Read 
Nov. 3, 1829. 
