88 



M. Trog*, of Thun, has published some general observa- 

 tions on the propagation of fungi by Mycelium and by spores, 

 confirming several statements previously published in various 

 works. The recent observations on the occurrence of spores 

 in the higher fungi were not then known to M. Trog. The 

 question how the sowing of the spores of fungi is effected in 

 nature is treated of at great length : it appears highly probable 

 to the author, that the spores of the Hymenomycetes are partly 

 suspended in the air, carried everywhere by the wind, and ad- 

 here to all bodies, or as it were are precipitated from the air 

 by rain. Thus for instance after some rainy days numbers of 

 MyceneS) dung fungi, &c., are seen to shoot forth, which had 

 been probably sown in this manner. Some examples are also 

 enumerated to give weight to the notion that the spores of fungi 

 float partly in the air ; for instance, if the divided membrane 

 of a laminated fungus be placed with the lamellae downwards 

 on paper, the spores, as is commonly known, fall on the paper ; 

 as soon however, says M. Trog, as the lamellae, from sinuosity 

 or from becoming vaulted, are not in contact with the paper, 

 these spots on the paper appear without any spores, because 

 the current of air is sufficient (even in closed rooms) to carry 

 them away. I repeated this experiment, but found the expla- 

 nation nearer at hand : the falling down of the spores is me- 

 chanically prevented when the lamellae are pressed together 

 by their lateral surfaces. The second statement is very re- 

 markable : place a Peziza or Helvetia on dark paper, and from 

 time to time, especially on a little shaking, it will be per- 

 ceived how many of the asci empty themselves all at once 

 with rapidity of their spores, a smoke being seen to ascend 

 from their hymenium, which however immediately disappears, 

 and even after several hours no considerable traces of their fall 

 can be noticed around the fungus ; consequently they have 

 remained in the atmosphere or have been carried away by it. 

 The other statements have long since been proved to be in- 

 sufficient. 



M. Schwabef has published some observations on the Oscil- 

 latorice of the hot springs of Karlsbad, which correct in seve- 

 ral points the labours of his predecessors. He too feels the 



* Ueber das Wachsthum der Schwamme. Flora 1837, No. 39. 

 t Ueber die Algen der Karlsbader warmen Quellen. Mit 2 Tafeln Abbil- 

 dungen. Linnaea, 1837, p. 109127. 



