SUGGESTIONS. 185 



Tims do we arrive at tlie close of the task wliicli 

 we had set ourselves to perform. This fragment 

 of a history of microscopic fungi goes forth to 

 plead for students^, and prepare the path for 

 somewhat more complete. Is it not a shame that 

 more than two thousand species of plants (never 

 mind how minute_, how insignificant) should be 

 known to exist_, and constitute a flora_, in a nation 

 amongst the foremost in civilization^, and yet be 

 without a complete record ? It is nevertheless true 

 that hundreds of minute organisms_, exquisite in 

 form_, marvellous in structure^ mysterious in 

 development_, injurious to some^ linked with 

 the existence of all^ are known to flourish in 

 Britain without a history or description^ in the 

 language of, or produced in_, the country they 

 inhabit. It is also true that the descriptions_, by 

 which they should be known^, of hundreds of the 

 rest lie buried in a floating literature whence the 

 youthful and ardent student needs^ not only youth 

 and ardour^ but leisure and perseverance unlimited 

 to unearth them. This_, however_, by the way; we 

 may be too great dotards on our native land^ and 

 foolish in our desire to see her in advance^ and not 

 in the rear in scientific attainments^, pursuit s_, and 

 productions of other and^ perhaps^ less favoured 

 nations. 



Already we fear that some of our readers will 

 have thought our story of rust^ brand_, and mildew 

 interminable^ and looked anxiously for the close. 



