484 
POPULAR SCIENCE REVIEW. 
there is only a minute globose nucleus or more probably a 
vesicle of air, in the centre; occasionally they become so 
transparent that the globular bodies alone are visible. After 
the conceptacles burst several are frequently collected together 
into an irregular linear body, which consists principally of the 
conglomerated sporidia. 
One other very common and troublesome little fungus will 
for the present close our examples. This is found creeping 
over dried plants preserved in herbaria, on decaying fruit, 
preserves, and various other substances, sometimes animal as 
well as vegetable, but chiefly the latter. To the naked eye it 
appears as a myriad of little yellow spherical bodies, of the 
size of very small pins* heads, resting upon fine cobweb-like 
threads (fig. 36). When magnified the surface of the con- 
ceptacles is seen to be reticulated (fig. 37). In the interior 
the sporidia are borne, contained also, as in the former instance, 
in asci. It has been considered probable } but, as yet, not 
fully proved, that this mildew is a compound fruited (asci- 
gerous) condition of an equally common mould (Aspergillus) . 
All the leaves containing the above-named species of fungi 
may be dried and preserved for future examination, either 
between folds of blotting-paper or the leaves of an old book. 
They will generally be examined to the greatest advantage in 
the fresh state, but if too much pressure be not employed in 
the drying, it will not be difficult, even in that condition, to 
make out their characteristic features. Care must be taken, 
by changing their position, that moulds of other kinds do not 
establish themselves upon the specimens in drying, or that 
when dried they do not fall a prey to Eurotium herbariorum. 
For the present, at least, we are about to bring these papers 
on Microscopic Fungi to a close. Already we fear that some 
subscribers will have thought our story of rust, brand, and 
mildew interminable, and looked anxiously for the announce- 
ment just made. On the other hand, we would flatter our- 
selves into the belief that others have made a new acquaint- 
ance with these minute and mysterious forms, and would fain 
know more. The groups of fungi which we have endeavoured 
to illustrate have, with but few exceptions, one feature in 
common, i.e ., that they are parasitic on living plants. These 
constitute but a small portion of the microscopical species 
found in this country. To the elegant forms of mould which 
inhabit decaying vegetable substances no allusion has been 
made. These constitute a fairy flora of forests and gardens 
with features as varied and fruits as multiform as those of the 
trees and flowers of the earth. The numerous, and often mar- 
vellous, phases of low life developed upon dead leaves and 
rotten sticks, would in description occupy a far greater space 
