SCAVENGERS OF NATURE. 23 



It may be said of the great majority of the 

 fungals, that one of such conditions is that they 

 should find a matrix, or suitable place for their 

 growth, of some organic matter in a state of 

 decomposition. Herein again such fungi differ 

 from lichens, which are often found attached 

 to living parts of vegetables. Hence fungi have 

 not unappropriately been designated '' the sca- 

 vengers of nature," as consuming those decom- 

 posing substances w^hich would, if left to decay, 

 prove injurious to the health of animals. This 

 is one of those beautiful provisions of a merciful 

 Providence, whereby a natural antidote is called 

 into existence out of the very dangers them- 

 selves which arise from natural laws, and tends 

 to beget in the Christian mind that veneration 

 with which the gospel instructs us to regard 

 such evident manifestations of wisdom and 

 goodness. When we look upon those singular 

 appearances QXiWedi fairy rings /vn our meadows, 

 we are apt to pass them by with a transient, 

 thoughtless glance, or a momentary wonder at 

 their existence. But science has withdrawn 

 the veil, and teaches us to perceive in them the 

 presence of the mycelium, or spawn of the 

 fungi, thus colouring the leaves of our grasses, 

 and writing on the very surfaces of the fields 



