W. H. WEEKES, ESQ. 197 



the idea of a magDificent forest, consisting of trees and flowering 

 shrubs in miniature. In particular spots, fine, downy, needle- 

 like spires occur in vast multitudes, and these otherwise naked 

 processes rising from the body of the fiingus, are surmounted by 

 what appear to be seed-vessels in some instances, and irregular 

 feathery tufts in others." * 



This experiment was not designed with any reference to my 

 researches on the development of the electrical acari, but swarms 

 of these creatures appeared incidental to its progress, and, at the 

 time the above note was made, many of them were seen inhabit- 

 ing the miniature forest on the fimgus, where they seemed to 

 thrive amazingly, and to attain a larger size than any I have 

 hitherto seen. 



About the autumn of the year 1844, the fungus had extended 



the positive side of the arrangement, thus forming a continuous 

 .ircular band ; and it is not the least remarkable feature of its 

 brief history, that immediately on the completion of this event, 

 the luxuriance and beauty of its vegetation were observed rapidly 

 to decline. A portion of the fungous mass still adheres to the 

 glass, but it is no longer an object of special interest. 



To what extent this singular and beautiful production is 

 indebted to the action of an electric current constantly, and for a 

 long time, traversing the saccharine liquid, in connexion with 

 which it appeared, I am not prepared, by the assistance of facts, 

 at present to say, but the following suggestions occur to my mind 

 as strong analogical reasons in support of its electrical origin 

 nature, and progress. 



1st. I am tolerably conversant with most of the known fungi 

 of this country, but am not acquainted with any species with 

 which the one in question can be identified, or even be said to 

 resemble. 



* Shortly after the Sbove note was entered in my memoranda, a small 

 portion of the fungus, with its incumbent vegetation, was submitted to a 

 powerful microscope, and a sketch made in accordance, which for obvions 

 reaacms cannot be here introduced. 



