SNOW MOULDS. 63 



not o^^&g duration. It is most likely due to 

 the exi^nce of some animal matter in the soil, 

 and is extremely remarkable ; though by reason 

 of its vanishing so quickly, not attended with 

 disastrous results. 



Not so the other, called by linger Lanosa 

 Nivalis, with reference also to its coming in 

 time of snow. Unlike the last, this fungus is 

 developed beneath the snow, and is excessively 

 injurious both to grass and corn. During the 

 spring of 1846, a description of it was pub- 

 lished m the " Gardener's Chronicle." It ap- 

 pears in white patches, a foot, or even more, in 

 diameter, tinging the snow with a red hue, aris- 

 ing from the spores of the fungus which are of 

 this colour. When a spore is greatly magnified 

 the coloured contents are very perceptible. A 

 completely withered plot is left behind, 

 wherever this fungus has run its course. When 

 snows have come on without previous frosts, 

 it has been known to destroy whole crops, 

 particularly of barley and rye. In places where 

 it prevails, the farmers plough up the frozen 

 surface, so complete is the mischief effected on 

 the young plants. Happily for us, it has not 

 yet reached Great Britain ; but that it will not, 

 no one can predict, for all fungal diseases are 



