380 Rev. M. J. Berkeley on three species of Mould 



pact kind of fuel, which in texture reminds one forcibly of lignite, 

 deserve further attention, especially as regards the fossil woods 

 which are contained in them. I consider it not impossible that 

 beds of lignite may be concealed under the form of such peat-beds, 

 which on this supposition might, by proper draining and contri- 

 vances, yield a very valuable kind of fuel at an easy price. There 

 has also been some rumour of traces of lignite in the construc- 

 tion of canals and railroads, which are too rare with us. It is to 

 be wished that those persons who can make inquiries, and do not 

 mind the trouble of stating the result of their labours, would 

 choose some better medium of communication than perishable 

 newspapers, where their communications can scarcely be found 

 when wanted. The provincial reports will doubtless gladly 

 promote inquiries of such general provincial interest. 



XXXIX. — On three species of Mould detected by Dr. Thomas in 

 the Amber of East Prussia. By the Rev. M. J. Berkeley, 



M.A., F.L.S. 



[With two Plates.] 



In the spring of the present year I received from Dr. Karl 

 Thomas of Konigsberg, who is perhaps better known as a meta- 

 physician than as a naturalist, part of a large collection of sec- 

 tions of amber from East Prussia which consists of several hundred 

 individuals. A large portion of the specimens transmitted con- 

 tained unequivocal specimens of moulds, in most cases in the con - 

 dition of mere mycelium, but in one or two instances in beautiful 

 fructification and in a very high state of preservation. Of these 

 he kindly sent some very beautiful and correct sketches, of which 

 I have availed myself in the present communication. 



The actual occurrence of fungi in a fossil state has hitherto 

 been very problematical. In the extensive collection of fruits 

 from Sheppey Island which formed the foundation for Mr. 

 Bowerbank's work, I believe no undoubted instance of any pa- 

 rasitic fungus occurred, though Spharice and other fungi of a 

 hard texture might reasonably have been expected in such a 

 situation, and especially in so recent a formation. Dr. Brown 

 has observed occasionally appearances in the cells of fossil wood 

 which he has been inclined to refer to mycelium, though as I 

 understand with no very decided opinion on the matter. 



Dr. Goppert has figured, on a fossil fern belonging to the 

 older coal-measures, what he considers a fungus under the name 

 of Excipulites Neesii. I have not seen this figure, but the cir- 

 cumstances under which the vegetable remains which gave origin 

 to the beds of coal must have existed, would not be such as would 



