238 - FAIRY RINGS. \_Aiigust, 



stores of wholesome food, without the risk of being poisoned, 

 Yesv would prefer a steak from FistuUna hepatica to that of an 

 ox-rump, or one from Lycoperdon bovista, however skilfully pre- 

 pared. Few persons can be taught to distinguish the wholesome 

 from the deleterious Fungi ; few would be found sufficient myco- 

 logists to distinguish Boletus edulis from Boletus hiridus. 



The cryptogamic tribes are in their habits most erratic and 

 fugacious. We know not Avhere they are, nor where or when they 

 will appear, — appearing in abundance at one time, and after- 

 wards not appearing again for many years, as I have frequently 

 observed ; subterraneous burrowers, ready to appear when the 

 season suits. The air is also filled by embryal atoms of organic 

 life, ready to germinate and continue their species when they can 

 get a suitable locality. Not only is the air filled with organic 

 life in embryo, but the atoms of disease afflicting all organic life. 



When a child, I used to be shown the fairy rings, which were 

 held sacred and approached with much reverence ; and I was told 

 not to step upon them, for it would offend the fairies ; also that 

 they met in those rings to dance by the light of the moon, but 

 could only be heard, never seen by mortal eyes. Their singing 

 and music was delightful. This took place at their levees, which 

 were celebrated occasionally in some favourite human dwellings, 

 when everything could be heard but nothing seen. I asked what 

 fairies were ; in reply they said they were the spirits of little 

 children who died before tliey were christened, and that they 

 would for ever remain on earth enjoying the greatest happiness. 



When a child, and living in a place where legends of fairies, 

 ghosts, witches, hellhounds, and other rustic lore were prevalent, 

 these stories affected me Avith a terrific pleasure. Wlien older, I 

 sought for other reasons for fairy rings, and discovered more ra- 

 tional causes of their formation. Why the Agarics and Boleti 

 are called Frog- or Toad-stools I know not, except it was from their 

 shapes. It would have been more significant to have called them 

 Fairy-stools, being so conveniently placed for the accommodation 

 of these fabvdous tiny beings, whereon they might sit down and 

 rest when wearied with dancing within the green ring. 



Bowdley, June 20th, 1862. 



