FUNGI. 291 
already pointed out, are evidently one of the 
links in the chain of nature which unite the 
vegetable to the animal kingdom. The analogy 
between the higher fungi and jelly-fishes has long 
been noticed. The same circular configuration 
exists in both. Every one who sees an opened 
Geaster or a starry puff-ball is irresistibly re- 
minded of a star-fish stranded on the shore. 
And the beautiful white laminated coral is called 
fungia agariciformts, from its resemblance to a 
petrified mushroom. 
Fungi, unlike most plants, are to a great extent 
insensible to the influence of light. They com- 
monly prefer damp, close, ill-ventilated places, 
where the light, if any, is of a pale, cold, and 
sickly character. Within the sheltering darkness 
of dense leafy woods— 
‘Some lone Egerian grove, 
Where sacred and o’ergreeting branches shed 
Perpetual eve, and all the cheated hours sing vespers—’ 
they are to be found crowding together, and are 
only accidentally found elsewhere. This propen- 
sity to avoid the exposed glare of sunlight, and to 
grow in the darkest shade, seems very paradoxical, 
when we consider the essential importance of light 
among the vital agencies. Even the humblest 
lichen, moss, or conferva, will not develop itself in 
the same degree of darkness which is essential to 
the wellbeing of the fungus. All other plants are 
