344 



o, A section of the root of Monotropa, showing the internal continuation of the vascular tissue of the 

 spongiole or fibril. 6. A portion of the same highly magnified, to show the connexion of the flocci. 



c. Epiphagos Luxfordii, highly magnified, d, e. The same, showing its adnate and fasciculate habit. 



whilst immersed in, water. From the nature of the objects this might 

 have been expected ; for let it be remembered that six thousand of the 

 filaments in juxta-position would but occupy an inch, and moreover, 

 that so delicate and tender is their texture, that the air of a room, or 

 even the dryness ordinary to the atmosphere at this season, causes 

 them speedily to shrivel and contract. The advantages of this mode 

 of examination, and its efficiency, are admitted in regard to other 

 members of the class. 



In reply to Mr. Newman's reasons for believing them a portion of 

 the Monotropa, I would say : — 



Firstly. — Its presence — if he refers to a byssoid substance gene- 

 rally — is, as far as we can judge, scarcely more "constant" than 

 other species of fungus, when the circumstances are suited to their 

 growth ; — putrefying paste has constantly its Mucor. On some por- 

 tions of the Southport plant it was not present at all ; if the spe- 

 cies found on the plant from Shoreham alone is intended, and such 



