FUNGI OF ECONOMIC PLANTS. 185 



quickly becomes impregnated with microscopic fungi from the 

 dairies not being kept clean, and the vessels -washed with foul 

 water, which a few years ago was found to be the cause of 

 typhoid fever in London, and it led to an Act of Parliament 

 being passed for the inspection of dairies. "Wine cellars are 

 often infested by a filamentous fungus {Zasmidium cellar e), 

 which covers the walls and casks with a coating like felt; it also 

 attacks the corks of wine bottles, and its appearance is considered 

 a test that the wine is old ; this has been taken advantage of by 

 some dealers to make new wine have the appearance of being 

 old by placing a false Zasmidium made of spiders* webs, rotten 

 sawdu.st, and logwood ; the wine then passes off as crusted old 

 port. The waUs of ceUars and mines are also Hable to be covered 

 with a fungus-growth termed JRMzomojyha; some are phosphor- 

 escent to such a degree that in the coal mines near Dresden the 

 roof, walls, and cellars are often entirely covered with them, and 

 their light is so bright as to dazzle the eye, and give the idea 

 of an enchanted cave. Phosphorescent fungi are also commonly 

 to be seen in the dark on decayed wood, rotten leaves, and other 

 decomposed vegetable substances. Tallow stores are often in- 

 fested with a microscopic fungus, known as Grease Mould (Miico- 

 rini ;pliy corny ce) ; it covers the walls with a filamentous web ; it 

 also attacks the casks and pervades the grease, destroying all fatty 

 matter, and often causing great loss to the merchant. In gar- 

 dens Polyactis vulgaris, a mould fungus, is a great pest; it appears 

 suddenly in a night, its mycelium spreading rapidly over all 

 moist surfaces, doing irremediable mischief in propagating pits 

 by overrunning low plants, cuttings, and seed-pots. Pruits, 

 such as apples and pears, are often attacked by a fungus {Mucor 

 mucedo), originating from a small wound in the skin, for although 

 looking perfectly sound their substance is pervaded by a fila- 

 mentous fungus, which renders them extremely bitter and unfit 

 to eat. 



Pungi not only attack living and decaying vegetable matter, 

 but also living animals, and especially insects. In New Zea- 

 land the caterpillar of the moth, Charagia mrescens, buries itself 



