46 MYCOPHAGY. 



fungi ; and there are many scattered memoirs on the 

 same subject. Berkeley thinks there is no reason to 

 believe that they induce epidemic diseases such as 

 cholera or influenza according to an opinion once 

 somewhat prevalent ; but a curious production called 

 Sarcina, from its resemblance to minute woolpacks, is a 

 rather constant attendant on cancerous affections of the 

 stomach ; and the influence of fungi in producing cer- 

 tain cutaneous disorders is now undoubted. A few 

 spores rubbed into the skin, or inserted in it, soon pro- 

 duce the disease termed Porrigo lupinosa ; and recent 

 experiments tend to show that this direct influence is 

 greater than has been generally suspected. Dr Lowe 

 has induced skin diseases by inoculation with the gran- 

 ules of yeast, and is disposed to attribute a great deal 

 more to the agency of fungi than has been hitherto al- 

 lowed ; and the knowledge of their influence, whether 

 externally or internally, has led to it being counteracted 

 by the administration of salts fatal to fungal growth. 



The diseases produced by fungi on the staple vege- 

 table food of man are chiefly referable to the lower orders 

 of the tribe. " The spawn, however, of higher species 

 is often fatal to trees and herbaceous plants, by induc- 

 ing decay among the roots. It has long been known 

 that trees would not in general flourish where others 

 had grown before, and this was attributed to exhaustion 

 of the soil ; it is now, however, ascertained that the evil 

 arises from spawn attached to old decaying roots. A 

 most striking instance occurred lately in the Gardens 

 at Kew. Two deodaras were planted before the Direc- 

 tor's house, within a few yards of each other, under ap- 

 parently similar circumstances. After a time, one of 

 these became unhealthy, and it was suggested that the 

 roots should be examined. A scrutiny took place, when 

 it was found that an old cherry-tree formerly stood on 

 the same spot, that its roots were covered with spawn, 

 and that this had extended to the roots of the deodara. 

 The remains of the old cherry-tree were grubbed up, 



