244 FUNGI. CHXP. V. 



seems to have been the first to detect what may be 

 regarded as the seeds of the Fungi ; but Hedwig 

 expected to find, and tried also to discover in them, 

 as indeed in all cryptogamous plants, the same sort 

 of reproductive organs as are found in plants with 

 conspicuous flowers. And from a persuasion that 

 they existed and were certainly to be detected, he 

 was, in some cases, perhaps rather too soon, satis- 

 fied of having succeeded in their detection. 



Stamens. In Fungi) furnished with Gills and a curtain, 

 if the inner surface of the curtain is carefully ex- 

 amined with a good magnifier, before the time of 

 its natural detachment from the stipe or Pikus y 

 there will be found adhering to it a number of fine 

 and delicate threads supporting small globules ; 

 and in such as have no curtain the same sort of 

 substances may be found adhering to the edge of 

 the Pileus. These Hedwig regards as stamens. 



Pistils. If the Gills are next examined in the same 



manner and about the same time, there will be 

 found sitting on their edge or surface a multitude 

 of small tender and cylindrical substances, some 

 of which are surmounted with a small globule, and- 

 others not. These he regards as being probably 

 the styles and summits. 



Similar substances may be detected on the other 

 genera of Fungi also. But from the extreme mi- 

 nuteness of their parts, and from their strong simi- 

 litude to the down with which the finer organs of 

 vegetables are generally covered, it is easy to per- 

 2 



