40 . 



the fungi which send forth laterally, in all directions, thread- 

 like filaments which become so entirely interwoven, as entirely 

 to cover and enclose the skin of the grape in a compact and 

 fine network, and on each is seen the egg-shaped capsule or 

 seed pod. Mildew in corn — the potato, tomata, cucumber 

 diseases — are all fungi of the same description. 



Moist rocks, stones, and old walls will also yield specimens 

 within our reach of interest, quite as great as the Yeast Plant, 

 or any of these minute fungi. There is a plant called the 

 Gory Dew, which appears as a red stain on the surface of 

 damp objects. If a little of this is scraped off the part to 

 which it is attached, it will be found, under the Microscope, 

 to consist of a number of separate minute cells. This plant 

 belongs to the same family as the red snow plant ; the rapid 

 growth of whose minute organism has given rise to alarm and 

 fear when its true nature was not understood. One of this 

 family attacks bread, and gives it the appearance of being 

 dipped in blood. Ale mould, subjected to the Microscope, 

 will amply repay, by its simple structure and rapid growth, 

 the patience of the investigator. The mould found on the sur- 

 face of preserves, consists of a mass of filaments or threads 

 serving as its base, from the which filaments arise bearing a 

 number of minute cells, which are spores or reproducing 

 organs. Plants of this kind are to be found on leaves in Au- 

 tumn, forming irregular spots of a yellow, red, or black colour. 

 If wheat is allowed to germinate in a damp place, the little 

 rootlet it sends down will be found covered over with minute 

 fungi. Seeds as well as fruit are liable to the attack of fungi 

 during their decay ; it attacks even the oil casks in the London 

 Docks, its fibres resembling threads of black silk, whilst the 

 spOres are scattered about the fibres. As before said, fungi 

 attack the human body, and are found to be the cause of several 

 painful and fatal diseases. It \s probable that in all fungi, and 

 certain that in most of them, the first development of the plant 

 consists in filamentous or thread-like matter which radiates 

 from the centre formed by the spores or seeds, and the cel- 

 lular spheroidal appearances are subsequently developed with a 

 view to the dispersion of the spores. So much for the minute 

 fungi which may be enjoyed by young Microscopists at all 

 seasons of the year. 



In Summer a drop of water from the Warren or Walton 



