310 FIRST FORMS OF VEGETATION. 
a yellow scum on moss-tufts in woods, which in 
a few days dries up and becomes converted into 
a heap of black powder like soot ; another forms, 
on the stems of grass some inches above the soil, 
a thick white froth, somewhat resembling the 
salivaceous exudation of the Cicada spumaria so 
frequent in summer woods, and which may easily 
be supposed of animal origin. Some form beauti- 
ful little goblets elevated on slender hair-like 
stems ; while others are only to be seen through 
a thick red lattice-work which surrounds them. 
Fic. 28.—CrucIBULUM VULGARE. 
In short, there is almost no end to the curious 
shapes which this tribe exhibits. Nature, in a 
capricious or sportive mood, seems to have 
formed them in imitation of the higher objects 
of creation, as they are her humblest and latest 
productions. Having such extremely simple and 
plastic materials to work upon, she seems to have 
followed the wildest vagaries of fancy in the 
determination of their shapes, and to have 
moulded many of them in imitation of the sub- 
stances upon which they are produced. 
Although fungi in general are sober, nun-like 
