32 MYCOPHAGY. 



bolder excursions into the regions of the unknown or 

 the little understood. He that intelligently writes a 

 monograph is the possessor of trustworthy information, 

 for which we shall vainly look from the discursive stu- 

 dent imitating Solomon, who " gave his heart to seek 

 and search out by wisdom all things that are done 

 under the sun." The value assigned to the researches 

 of those known to be devoted to particular studies is 

 manifested by the authority accorded to their opinions, 

 and by the eagerness with which editors of encyclo- 

 paedias solicit their contributions. Witlings, no doubt, 

 make merry with the labours of the retired student 

 spending his days in elucidating some apparently mi- 

 nute point in geology, botany, or natural history. But 

 the philosopher, recognising the worth of every care- 

 fully ascertained fact, fails not to remember gratefully 

 the names of those who have helped to rear securely 

 the temple of science by depositing on its slowly rising 

 walls the materials which they have painfully gathered. 

 Very thoughtless is the wonder sometimes expressed 

 at the enthusiasm exhibited in the exploration of some 

 nook or corner far away from the observation of the 

 unreflecting multitude. 



"Various as beauteous, Nature, is thy face. 

 . . . All that grows has grace. 

 All are appropriate. Bog and marsh and fen 

 Are only poor to undiscerning men. 

 Here may the nice and curious eye explore 

 How Nature's hand adorns the rushy moor ; 

 Beauties are these that from the view retire, 

 But will repay the attention they require." 



These lines of Crabbe we commend to the attention 

 of those alas ! too many " undiscerning men," who 

 have never asked what is the use of a fungus, and who 

 carry their ignorant contempt so far as to trample under 

 foot, as noxious "toad-stools," numerous species of 

 vegetable productions, not a few of which on examina- 

 tion are found to exhibit the most graceful forms and 



