POLYMORPHIC FUNGI. 
35 
had previously been discovered and illustrated is very generally 
known. 
If we are asked what deductions we are to make from the 
facts proved and the presumptions admitted, but not proven, 
we may answer briefly — that the tendency of recent discoveries, 
in the relations of one form to another amongst fungi, is to 
demonstrate that reproduction is not so simple a process in 
these low conditions of plant life as had hitherto been supposed. 
44 This it is, and nothing more.” 
At one time the word 44 spore ” represented the only recognised 
organ associated with the multiplication of fungi. Male 
organs or fecundative power was now and then mysteriously 
alluded to, but until recently all reproduction was supposed to 
be confined to a kind of germinative bud which was termed a 
spore. Each fungus was held to be perfect in itself, and re- 
produced itself, with no relation to any other individual, by 
this means. The change of opinion amongst mycologists is 
manifested, as much as anything, in the new terms, or the ap- 
propriation of terms from other cryptogams, now in vogue. 
Conidia, spermatia, oospores, zoospores, pycnidia, protospores, 
&c., all relate to organs but recently recognised in fungi. 
And, however much we may qualify the fact, however much we 
may doubt the evidence in special cases, we cannot ignore the 
conclusion that reproduction is very complicated, although 
very little understood in these extraordinary plants. Whilst 
admitting that the Cladosjporium and the Macrosporium , the 
Alternaria , bottle-shaped cysts, and minute spermatia are all 
so intimately related with a certain species of Sphceria , that 
they can no longer be regarded as plants with a distinct 
autonomy and independent existence, we are unable to explain 
the relations which one bears to the other, or by what means 
each exerts its influence. The field for observation and research 
is a large one, and promises a rich reward ; all that is required 
is earnest and careful workers, in which this , of all European 
countries professing to be scientific, has hitherto been most 
lamentably deficient. How long shall such a reproach continue ? 
EXPLANATION OF PLATE LXVIII. 
Fig. 1. Barren thread of Rhinotrichum lanosum. 
„ 2. Fertile thread of Rhinotrichum lanosum. 
„ 3. Portion of fertile thread of Rhinotrichum lanosum, showing one of 
the branchlets with terminal spicules hearing the spores • a, a 
spore detached. 
