186 MICROSCOPIC FUNGI. 



On tlie other hand^ we would flatter ourselves into 

 the belief that some have made a new acquaint- 

 ance with these minute and mysterious forms^ and 

 would fain know more. The groups of fungi 

 which we have endeavoured to illustrate have^ 

 with but few exceptions^ one feature in common, 

 i.e.y that they are parasitic on living plants. These 

 constitute but a small portion of the microscopical 

 species found in this country. To the elegant 

 forms of mould which inhabit decaying vegetable 

 substances no allusion has been made. These con- 

 stitute a fairy flora of forests and gardens with 

 features as varied^, and fruits as multiform, as those 

 of the trees and flowers of the earth. The nume- 

 rous, and often marvellous, phases of low life 

 developed upon dead leaves and rotten sticks, 

 would in description occupy a far greater space 

 than we have devoted to our subject. Yet, for all 

 these, we have not spared so much as a passing 

 word. The treasures still left unopened are far 

 richer than even those we have revealed. The 

 gates of another world have been thrown open, 

 but we have scarcely passed the threshold. A 

 minutely and elaborately illuminated page of the 

 book of Nature has been turned, and we have 

 only perused a single line. We might traverse 

 the primeval forests of the new world, and explore 

 the unknown regions of the old, and not encounter 

 so much to excite our admiration, or cause our 

 wonder, as lies about our feet at home; marvels 



