2 FUNGI. 



that such limits exist so positively, that the universal scientific 

 mind accepts the recognized limit without controversy or con- 

 tradiction. 



In like manner, if one kingdom be made the subject of in- 

 quiry, the same difficulties will arise. A flowering plant, as 

 represented by a rose or a lily, will be recognized as distinct 

 from a fern, a seaweed, or a fungus. Yet there are some flower- 

 ing plants which, at first sight, and without examination, simu- 

 late cryptogams, as, for example, many Balanopliorce, which 

 the unscientific would at once class with fungi. It is never- 

 theless true that even the incipient botanist will accurately 

 separate the phanerogams from the cryptogams, and by means 

 of a little more, but still elementary knowledge, distribute the 

 latter amongst ferns, mosses, fungi, lichens, and algas, with 

 comparatively few exceptions. It is true that between fungi 

 and lichens there exists so close an affinity that difficulties arise, 

 and doubts, and disputations, regarding certain small groups or 

 a few species ; but these are the exception, and not the rule. 

 Botanists generally are agreed in recognizing the five principal 

 groups of Cryptogamia, as natural and distinct. In proportion 

 as we advance from comparison of members of the three king- 

 doms, through that of the primary groups in one kingdom, to 

 a comparison of tribes, alliances, and orders, we shall require 

 closer observation, and more and more education of the eye to 

 see, and the mind to appreciate, relationships and distinctions. 



We have already assumed that fungi are duly and universally 

 admitted, as plants, into the vegetable kingdom. But of this 

 fact some have even ventured to doubt. This doubt, however, 

 has been confined to one order of fungi, except, perhaps, 

 amongst the most illiterate, although now the animal nature of 

 the Myxogastres has scarcely a serious advocate left. In this 

 order the early condition of the plant is pulpy and gelatinous, 

 and consists of a substance more allied to sarcode than cellulose. 

 De Bary insinuated affinities with Amoeba,* whilst Tulasne 



* De Bary, "Des Myxomycetes,'' in " Ann. des Sci. Nat." 4 ser. xi. p. 153 ; 

 "Bot. Zeit." xvi. p. 357. De Bary's views are controverted by M. Wigand in 

 "Ann. des Sci. Nat.' 1 4 ser. (Bot.) xvi. p. 255, &c. 



