THE PAGE OF NATURE. 197 



ray is by far the most effective, and violet, the nearest 

 to darkness, the least so. The sunbeam has recently been 

 divided into actinic, luminous, and calorific rays. The 

 actinic or chemical rays are indispensable to germination ; 

 under the influence of the luminous rays, a mantle of 

 green overspreads forest and field, and the woody tissue 

 is formed ; while the calorific rays bring forth flowers 

 and fruit. Thus spring, summer, and autumn each enjoy 

 a peculiar influence from the sun j although, probably, 

 in all the three processes, of germination, growth, and 

 fructification, the three forces are concerned, but in 

 modified activity. Even during the day this distinction 

 is observed ; in the evening there being less actinic 

 power than in the morning, and at noon more luminous 

 and calorific power. To all these influences of light the 

 fungi are to a great extent insensible. They do not dis- 

 turb themselves or deign to turn towards the light at 

 all ; they continue to shoot out perpendicularly, horizon- 

 tally, or even reversed, just as the surface from whence 

 they spring happens to be directed. The Geranium 

 growing in the cottage window, yearningly stretches out 

 its tender leaves and blossoms to the smiling sunshine 

 without ; and the pea or potato sprouting in a cellar, 

 which has but one north window, half-closed, spreads its 

 cadaverous, blanched, and brittle shoots in the direction 

 of that feeble flicker of light ; but the fungus points its 

 stalk and its seed-vessel as readily from as to the light, 

 as unconsciously downwards to the earth, as upwards 

 from it. Give it air, warmth, moisture, and undisturbed 

 quiet, and it can live and luxuriate without light. But 

 this love of seclusion and darkness gives a dull, sober 



