342 



Monotropa, and occasionally other substances in its vicinity. Usu- 

 ally it is present in such quantities as to render the examination of it 

 an operation exceedingly difficult ; on the Southport specimens it 

 is sometimes much less abundant, but even in these cases it was not 

 till after repeated examination that the real nature of its connexion 

 became satisfactorily apparent. The fibres of which it is composed 

 are nearly equal in thickness throughout, irregularly branched, and 

 united hy lateral adhesion, at intervals, to the substance on which 

 they are found : this union, in several instances, was so complete, that 

 when the fibres were forcibly detached, a very small portion of the bo- 

 dy with which they were connected was separated with them ; in no 

 case, however, was this operation performed but a continuation of the 

 fibre became evident, as seen at n, o, fig. 2. Evidence of a terminal 

 connexion or thickened extremities was seen in no instance.* 



In order more fiilly to test the correctness of these observations, 

 the roots of other plants were appealed to : several fi^om the green- 

 house which were matted owing to the small size of the pots in which 

 they grew, were examined ; but in these a marked distinction was evi- 

 dent, so much so, that at first sight I should have had no doubt of 

 their origin, they possessed in every particular the appearance of 

 spongioles : while the really fungoid matter found on the roots of 

 groundsel, Epilobium, Plantago &c., had so much resemblance to the 

 substance in question, that it would be difficult by words to render 

 the difference appreciable. 



Thus far had I proceeded when by the application of a magnifying 

 power of about 350 linear, I became aware that the fibres on the 

 Southport plant were of two very difierent kinds ; and, on examina- 

 tion, the specimens received from Mr. Newman afforded, at least, a 

 third. This I regard as a somewhat forcible argument in favour of 

 the opinion that they are altogether extraneous ; for all the species are 

 similarly attached, and I apprehend that no such differences as those 

 about to be described would be likely to occur in the roots of one 

 plant. 



The species observed are as follows : — 

 No. I. — Filaments tufted, fasciculate, more or less adnate, membranaceous, slightly 

 tubular, jointed, irregularly branched, colourless.f (Fig- 1, c, d, e). 



Found only on Mr. Newman's specimens from Shoreham. 



* These results were obtained with powers of about 100 — 200 linear, 

 f The Sussex specimens from Mr. Newman supply a filament differing from these ; 

 but as the one had been some time dry before examination, and the others were viewed 

 in a fresh state, I have preferred leaving it undescribed. 



