MICROSCOPE IN THE COUNTRY. 



appearance. It may be an earlier stage of the 

 growth of the former. 



The microscopic structure of the higher forms uf 

 fungi is not without its interest. In the fungi a 

 very elongated form of cellular tissue frequently 

 occurs, and in the stem of the common mushroom 

 it will be seen to be branched, as at figure 103. 

 The looser portions of the fibres of the mushroom, 

 ^ hich are found in the earth at the bottom of the 

 stem, afford even a better illustration of this struc- 

 ture, and is given at figure 107. The gills of the 

 mushroom, when put under the Microscope, display 

 a number of small projections surmounted with 

 four round cells ; these are the spores arranged in 

 fours, and which, on that account, are called tetra- 

 spores. They are seen at c, figure 107. 



In the woods, in winter time, fungi abound, and 

 their parts may be examined under the Microscope 

 with great interest. Amongst the winter beauties 

 of the forest, none are more attractive than the 

 various forms of peziza, or cup-moulds. If a section 

 be made through one of the cups of these beautiful 

 fungi, they will present the appearance drawn in 

 figure 108, plate 4, A series of hollow elongated 

 cases will be found lying between compressed elon- 

 gated tissue. In these cases a series of rather oval 

 minute cells will be found, which are the spores of 

 the peziza. If these are magnified with a higher 

 power, they will be seen to be covered over with 

 minute spines, as seen at a. 



Amongst the objects which more especially 

 attract the attention of observers in the country, 

 in winter time, are the various forms of lichens, 

 which grow parasitic upon the bark of trees. There 

 is one of a yellow colour, which spreads on palings 

 and the barks of trees, like dried pieces of yellow 

 paper. At the surface of the membranous scales of 



