670 

 Analysis of the Ash of the Agaric of the Fairy-rings. 



98-69 



Those who are acquainted with the recently published theory of 

 manures, will at once see from this analysis that the agaric is almost 

 entirely composed of the most valuable manures : 29 per cent, phos- 

 phoric acid, 55 per cent, potash : the inevitable result of these ma- 

 nures being so abundantly deposited on the surface of the ground, is 

 an increased growth in the herbage and a consequent change of co- 

 lour. Our personal observations did not extend to grass preserved 

 for mowing, but Mr. Way declares that the grass of which these rings 

 are formed, is " always the first to vegetate in the spring, and keeps 

 the lead of the ordinary grass in the pastures until the period of cut- 

 ting.^'' This may be regarded as positive proof that the circle has re- 

 ceived some extraordinary supply of manure, and the analysis now 

 explains to us whence that supply comes. 



Satisfactory as this appears, and indeed, is, our readers must bear 

 in mind that it only touches that branch of the inquiry which relates 

 to the influence of the fungus on certain phaenogamous plants, the 

 origin, increase, and mode of growth of the fungus itself remains un- 

 touched : indeed, from the report of Mr. Way's paper in the Athe- 

 naeum,* it is evident that he has no conception of what we suppose to 

 be the true state of the case- 

 He is made to say " A fungus is developed on a single spot of ground, 

 sheds its seed and dies." This, as far as we can comprehend the 

 meaning, is purely hypothetical : but we are at a loss to ascertain 

 Mr. Way's precise meaning; does the expression "e* developed'''' im- 



* We have to regret the extreme incorrectness and almost unintelligibility of this re- 

 port: even the author's name and the analysis are, as Mr. Way points out in a subse- 

 quent number, ridiculously erroneous. 



