THE PAGE OF NATURE. 211 



The simplest fungi consist of a few primordial cells, 

 either separate or conjoined, or of cellular, branched fila- 

 ments or threads, performing the functions of nutrition 

 and reproduction. Between these and the mushroom, 

 which may be regarded as exhibiting the highest develop- 

 ment of fungoid life, there are numerous intermediate 

 forms more or less complex. Some resemble minute 

 mussels with their edges upwards; some are shell-shaped, 

 and others shrubby and branched like coral. Some form 

 large round balls, splitting into star-like expanding rays ; 

 others are crowned with mitres or peaked caps. Some 

 are cup-shaped, trumpet-shaped, bell-shaped. Some, such 

 as the leaden-coloured Nidularia so frequent in potato- 

 fields, form a nest in which to rear their young. One 

 forms a yellow scum on moss-tufts in woods, which in a 

 few days dries up and becomes converted into a heap of 

 black powder like soot ; another forms, on the stems of 

 grass some inches above the soil, a thick white froth, 

 somewhat resembling the salivaceous exudation of the 

 Cicada spumaria so frequent in summer woods, and 

 which may easily be supposed of animal origin. Some 

 form beautiful little goblets elevated on slender hair-like 

 stems ; while others are only to be seen through a thick 

 red lattice-work which surrounds them. In short, there 

 is almost no end to the vague, indeterminate shapes 

 which this curious tribe exhibits. Nature, in a capri- 

 cious or sportive mood, seems to have formed them in 

 imitation of the higher objects of creation, as. they are 

 her humblest and latest productions. Having such ex- 

 tremely simple and plastic materials to work upon, she 

 seems to have followed the wildest vagaries of fancy in 



