RELATION OF THE DISEASE TO FUNGI. 59 



(232.) One very delicate fungus is frequently to be 

 seen, but I do not know its mode of fructification. (Plate 

 iv., figs. 2, 3.) 



(233.) There is a fungus with a great number of seed- 

 vessels at the top, which is sometimes to be met with, 

 growing from the tubers and under-ground stems, which I 

 have figured. (Plate iv., fig. 9.) 



(234.) Many of these fungi move about when placed 

 under the microscope, an effect which probably arises from 

 evaporation. And this, I am inclined to believe, must have 

 been the appearance which misled some one, who stated in 

 a newspaper article that he imagined these fungi to be of 

 animal origin. 



(235.) One of the last fungi which attracted my atten- 

 tion I found on an under-ground stem. It presented a 

 lovely beaded form (Plate v., fig. 2). And I have also 

 noticed a fungus resembling that existing in the scald head 

 of human beings growing from dead Aphides. (Plate m., 

 fig. 7; Plate iv., fig. 1.) 



(236.) Potatoes in a diseased condition are the prey of 

 many other fungi ; but I think it quite needless to trouble 

 the reader with further description. In Plates in. and iv. 

 I have figured what I have found ; in Plate vi. I have 

 copied the figures of Martius, and in Plate n., fig. 2, and 

 Plate v., fig. 3, Berkeley's figures. 



(237.) Doubtless the fungi exercise an important influ- 

 ence upon the progress of the disease, although they most 

 assuredly have not the power of producing it. In fact, 

 they never make their appearance until the potatoe plant 

 has been previously damaged, and until some portion of it 

 is already dead. I have tried several experiments on the 

 inoculation of sound potatoes with fungi, but the result has 



