SPOTTING OF APPLES. 



377 



become spotted than in others, from causes not quite 

 obvious, as moist summers do not occasion it more 

 decidedly than dry. Particular sorts are more sub- 

 ject to these dark markings than others. The russet, 

 though a rough-coated fruit, seems exempt from 

 spots; whereas some of the smooth-rinded ones, 

 especially the pearmain, are invariably disfigured 

 with them. These marks appear to be an aecidium, 

 which we frequently find to be perfectly matured, 

 the centre occupied with minute, powdery capsules, 

 having burst through their epidermis, or covering, 

 which hangs in fragments round the margin. This 

 aecidium apparently derives its nutriment from the 

 apple ; for immediately round the verge of the 

 spot the skin becomes wrinkled in consequence of 

 the juices being drawn off by the fungus. In most 

 cases the presence of plants of this nature is symp- 

 tomatic of decay ; but in this instance we find an 

 exception to a pretty general effect, for the decay 

 of the apple does not always commence at the spot, 

 which does not even apparently contribute to it 

 for the whole fruit will shrivel up in time by the 

 escape of its juices, without any decay by mortifica- 

 tion. Though we are not able always to ascertain 

 the purposes of nature, yet this little cryptogamous 

 plant affords a strong example of her universal 

 tendency to produce, and every vegetable sub- 

 stance seems to afford a soil for her productions. 

 We have even an agaric, with a bulbous root and 



