USES OF FUNGI. 55 



growth of the Fungi in its suhstance, which is decomposed by it, 

 as are the fluid and half-solid matters already spoken of ; and 

 partly to the moisture, which they are the means of introducing 

 into its interior. The germs of these plants fall into the chinks 

 of the timber, where they take root ; and in their growth, they 

 greatly widen these chinks, and thus give admission to moisture 

 from without, as well as to a new set of these minute germ 8, 

 which may prove even more destructive ; and by a continuance 

 and repetition of these processes, the whole strength of the timber 

 is at last destroyed. 



60. The power of expansion which these plants possess, soft 

 as their tissues seem, is truly wonderful. Some years ago the 

 town of Basingstoke was paved; and not many months after- 

 wards, the pavement was observed to exhibit an unevenness, 

 which could not be easily accounted for. In a short time after 

 the mystery was explained; for some of the heaviest stones were 

 completely lifted out of their beds by the growth of large toad- 

 stools beneath them. One of these stones measured twenty-two 

 inches by twenty-one, and weighed 83 Ibs. ; and the resistance 

 offered by the mortar which held it in its place would probably 

 be even a greater obstacle than the weight. It became necessary 

 to re-pave the whole town, in consequence of this remarkable 

 disturbance. 



61. But although in these and many other ways, Fungi are 

 injurious to Man, the benefits they confer upon him far outweigh 

 their occasional devastations; and it is only through the constancy 

 of the former that they are overlooked and unappreciated. It is 

 not only to Man that they are of the most essential service, but 

 to the whole Animal kingdom. To Fungi may be justly applied 

 the designation, which has been conferred upon Insects, that of 

 the "scavengers of nature;" for, like insects, they labour with 

 the most astonishing effect, in the removal of refuse and decaying 

 substances, which, were they left upon the surface of the earth, 

 would prove not merely useless tenants, but injurious incuni- 

 brances. Their vapour-like germs float about in the atmosphere, 

 in countless myriads, only waiting for the presence of a fitter 

 soil, on which to alight and grow. As long as there is no refuse 

 decomposing matter to be removed, these spores remain inactive 



