Fungi in Vegetatioji. 155 



gi," as suggestive of many important investigations, I applied to 

 the writer for specimens of what he considered Cryptomyces 

 Wauchii. With great readiness Mr. Goodsell kindly for- 

 warded to me several specimens, of which he says : — 



"Since the receipt of yours, I have examined, perhaps, 

 fifty filbert plants that were injured last season, as I sup- 

 posed, by the fungi, without being able to find a single spec- 

 imen exhibiting its summer appearance — the side where the 

 fungi made their appearance is uniformly dead — the outer 

 bark separated from the inner, which is covered uniformly as 

 on the specimens enclosed." 



By submitting these to a powerful magnifying lens, I could 

 perceive no structure of the fungi, which would ally them to 

 any known form with which I am acquainted; and, indeed, 

 there was nothing which would indicate that these specimens 

 were any thing more than the dead remains of some sort of 

 parasitic growth. To the genus Cryptomyces belong fungi 

 which burrow between the wood and bark of whatever plant 

 it infests ; and the general description in the article referred 

 to seems to point out the plant as Mr. G. intimates. I shall 

 therefore feel greatly obliged to him for perfect specimens 

 next summer, as he promises me. 



It may not be familiar to the reader, that some of these 

 lower forms of vegetables, e g. the parasitic fungi, have a 

 very beautiful internal organization, consisting of a sort of 

 seed vessels called technically asci, and other peculiarities 

 beside. Deeper powers of the microscope are requisite to de- 

 velope them than are commonly at hand. As objects, there- 

 fore, of curiosity and elaborate beauty, or as subjects for the 

 care and prudent inspection of the agriculturist, these inju- 

 rious forms of vegetable life address him and call upon his 

 attention, as the article very properly suggests. I hope that 

 they will be accordingly studied, and made worthy of inves- 

 tigation, as your Rochester correspondent has set so good an 

 example, by moving in so important a matter. 



Hmgham, March, 1849. 



The subject of fungi in vegetation is one of much interest, 

 and, we trust, will receive the attention of all cultivators. We 

 shall be glad to have Mr. Russell and Mr. Goodsell pursue the 

 matter further. — Ed. 



