FUNGI— THEIR NATURE AND HABITS. 5 



of the parasitic fungi of any family. Here also we find the grape-vine Oidiums 

 that have caused such havoc in the vineyards of both Europe and America. 

 The very common moulds, Penicillium and Aspergillus, are also members of this 

 family. 



Of the Sporidifera section of fungi there are two families, the Physomycetes 

 and Ascomycetes. In the first of these the reproductive cells termed sporidia 

 are produced in bladder-like cells scattered on free or slightly felted fertile threads 

 that proceed from the mycelium. The most noted order of this family is that of 

 the Mucors in which asci with spore cells are produced in vascular sacs growing 

 at the extremity of slender threads that spring from the mycelium or spawn. 

 One species, the Ascophora elegans, is remarkable for having two kinds of fruit 

 and for growing on bread while yet hot from the oven. To the^ Ascomycetes 

 belong several orders of importance, among which may be mentioned the Peri- 

 sporiacei, which are very destructive parasitic fungi. The mildews that infest and 

 prove so destructive to the hop, rose, and peas, are found in this order. These 

 form a coating of felt on the surface of the leaves that give them a white color. 

 The Tuberacei are subterranean species, of which the Truffle is the most impor- 

 tant. This is a highly prized article of food in many parts of Europe, and, I 

 believe, in some of the southern parts of the United States. The Morchella fur- 

 nishes a number of species that are highly esteemed as articles of diet. The num- 

 ber of different kinds of fungi is somewhat remarkable ; more than two thousand 

 of the more conspicuous ones have been figured. The order Agaracini contains 

 not less than one thousand different forms, and some others are nearly, if not 

 quite, as numerous in their genera and species. 



If we direct our inquiries to the habitats of fungi we are confronted by the 

 fact that from the frozen Steppes of the north to the burning plains of the torrid 

 zone there is no climate, continent nor island where they are not found — on the 

 open plains ; in the deep, dark forests ; on the bleak, barren mountains, and in 

 the dark caverns ; growing in the earth, on the rocks, attached to trees, logs, 

 stumps, sticks, plants, leaves, offal, and in liquids; sending their mycelia into 

 the stomata of leaves and the pores of timber; flourishing on all kinds of dead 

 and decaying organic matter ; and preying on all forms of living organisms, ani- 

 mal and vegetable ; removing that which is already dead, and bringing disease 

 and death to the living. Abounding in all latitudes, penetrating every orifice 

 and crevice, thriving in all conditions, multiplying with a rapidity that is incon- 

 ceivable, appearing at times in numbers that overwhelm the imagination, filling 

 the air with their spores and sporidia, which by their levity are liable to be car- 

 ried by the wind and sown upon all objects, where they patiently wait for the 

 coming of conditions favorable for their germination and growth. Affecting the 

 interests of all living beings, they command the attention and invite the study 

 and investigation of all thoughtful students of nature. It therefore becomes a 

 subject of interest to inquire in what manner and to what extent fungi affect other 

 organic beings. One of the most important offices performed by this low class 

 of organisms is to remove dead and decaying organic matter. Much of this mat- 



