THE WHITE RUST, ETC. 
485 
than we have devoted to our subject. Yet for all these we 
have not spared so much as a passing word. The treasures 
still left unopened are far richer than even those we have re- 
vealed. The gates of another world have been thrown open, 
but we have scarcely passed the threshold. A minutely and 
elaborately illuminated page of the book of Nature has been 
turned, and we have only perused a single line. We might 
traverse the primeval forests of the new world and explore the 
unknown regions of the old, and not encounter so much to 
excite our admiration or cause our wonder as lies about our 
feet at home ; marvels which we tread beneath our feet, or 
kick from our path, because they appear to be only rotten 
sticks, withered grass, and decaying leaves. All this may 
appear as the dream of an enthusiast, or the ravings of one 
on whom the moon has shone too often. When Columbus 
spoke of a new world beyond the seas, which he longed to 
seek and explore, some believed him duped and others called 
him mad. We write of no chimerical El Dorado, we speak of 
no undiscovered world, and yet we seem to allude to wonders 
still unknown, because so few have had the courage to venture 
upon the journey for themselves. 
In sober earnestness, however, let us commend this pursuit 
to all who possess a microscope and leisure to use it. It may 
be for a time the “ pursuit of knowledge under difficulties,” 
on account of the condition of our literature on this special 
subject ; but many workers will produce more readers, and 
good books will come when there are more to purchase and 
appreciate. It is not improbable that in more cases than have 
come under our own observation, microscopists, wearied of 
diatoms and allied forms, or deeming themselves in possession 
of all that is novel or interesting in this direction, are seeking 
for a new field of labour, and a new subject to kindle up a new 
enthusiasm. To these we have advised, and to any more such 
we continue to advise, that fungi should have a fair trial. If 
variety be desired, here they will have at least 2,000 species for 
a knowledge of which the microscope is essential. If they 
thirst for discovery, let them be assured that here also the 
earnest w r orker is sure to meet with such a reward. Or if they 
would acquaint themselves with the manifestations of Divine 
power as developed in the most minute of created things, let 
them follow such observers as Tulasne and De Bary, and seek 
the “ why and wherefore ” of the phenomena of mycetal life. 
If there should still be any hesitation whether there is in 
this pursuit sufficient of the element of variety for those who 
do not desire to pursue the subject into its deepest scientific 
recesses, to render it available for them, let them go to a good 
public library, such as that of the British Museum, and inquire 
