426 BOTANY. 
lungs, penetrated the moist and delicate tissues, and by develop- 
ment occasioned the death of the birds; some antecedent state of 
the system being admitted as rendering possible the developmen 
of the fungus. i 
Including these new cases, efghteen kinds of birds are recorded 
as liable to attacks of fungi, either accompanying or causing fatal 
disease. As they belong to many different groups of birds it may 
be inferred that the whole class is predisposed to them under special 
but yet unknown conditions; these moulds, as far as at present 
definitely determined, belong to two or three species of Aspergillus, 
and‘derive great importance from the interest at present attached 
to the investigation and control of cryptogamic causes of disease. 
—R. H. W. 
BOTAN., 
EXUBERANCE or PoLLEN.— For many years I have observed with 
wonder, in the early summer, or about the month of June, w ; 
immense amount of pollen seattered in the vicinities where conife- i 
rous trees and shrubs are abundant. On the Great Lakes I have 
often: noticed the surface of the water covered for miles with a 
thick coating of this yellowish deposit, looking as ìf it was strewn — 
with sulphur, which in calm weather continued for days together. 
At times, indeed, it is so difficult to get the water free from m : 
pollen that it is rather unpleasant for drinking, cooking, oF ‘washing . 
purposes. ; ee 
yellow from the pollen. 
plays on Nature’s part. It is difficult to conceive a us? 
pollen thus spread over the land and the lake waters; " "© 
there may be one hidden from us. ` po 
This superabundance of the male principle, i 
the rule throughout Nature, is a peculiarly interesting a E 
tive fact, and worthy of more investigation and i 
has heretofore received. gee 
In’ plants, insects carry off a considerable quantity 0 
pollen: bees, for example, to make bee-bread ; and we me 
a few more instances of its use besides its legitimate ne : nske 
ization. But all of these taken together would se 
which seems to be 
+ 
