18G THE MICROSCOPE. 



from which it is to draw life. But I further believe that 

 there must be some peculiar disposition yet to be developed 

 in the plant before the fungus will act upon it, to its own 

 rapid development, and the destruction of the said plant," 



Fig. 104. Fungi. (Magnified 200 diameters.) 



I, Brachycladium penicillatum, found on the stem of a plant. 2, Aspergillus 

 glaucus, found on cheese, &c. 3, Boirytis ; the common form of mould on 

 decaying vegetable substances. 4, Fungi caught over a sewer (foul air). 

 5, Fungi growing on a pumpkin. 6, Fungi caught in the air at the time of 

 the cholera. (Aerozoa?) 



Fig. 104, 4 and 6, represents forms of fungi taken in 

 London by the author during the cholera visitation, Sep- 

 tember 1854. Our limited knowledge of the matter does 

 not forbid the supposition that there may be some, even 

 among the purely vegetable fungi, which might, in certain 

 conditions of the human body, when taken into the frame, 

 produce immediate severe constitutional disturbance. The 

 Sarcina may be cited as an instance of this fact. It strikes 

 us, however, as far more probable, that from drains and 

 cesspools reservoirs as they are for excrementitious animal 

 matter may emanate specific fungi, the spores of which 

 under certain conditions of atmosphere, w r ould be given 

 out in such quantities, and in such minute particles, as 



