OF THE FUNGI. 
12 8 
Fresh leaves and stems infested by microscopic forms of 
Fungi may be dried in the same way as the fronds of ferns 
or leaves of the Phanerogamia, of which more will be said 
hereafter. The only precaution necessary is, that the pres- 
sure be not too heavy, and that the blotting paper be con- 
stantly changed. As these Fungi arise, in the first instance, 
from below the cuticle in which they excavate (so to speak) 
little hollows, and then spread themselves around in yellow 
or black pulverulent masses, too severe a pressure may 
force them back into' the cavities, or at least squeeze them 
against the plane surface of the leaf, and thereby destroy 
their natural habit and appearance. The reason why it is 
advisable to make frequent changes of the drying material 
is, that various forms of mould are developed wherever 
there is moisture present. This is of little consequence 
where large plants are being prepared, but may give rise to 
serious errors when the objects are of a microscopic nature. 
The most difficult kinds to manage are the fleshy pileate 
Fungi, those, I mean, included under the order Agaricacese, 
or Hymenomyeetes, of systematic authors. Numerous ex- 
periments have been made from time to time with a view 
to strike out some plan of retaining their natural form and 
features after death. But one arrangement after another has 
had to be abandoned, and mycologists have been compelled to 
fall back upon the earliest and withal the simplest method, 
that of drying them. Even this simple method, however,, 
is not possible with the larger individuals, not only on ac- 
count of their size, but because the substance of which they 
are composed is so sensitive to the influence of moisture, that 
it is hopeless to think of preserving them by any ordinary 
treatment. Under the most favourable circumstances they 
are shrivelled and shrunk out of all shape when taken from 
the press. So the student must be content with having por- 
tions only of the original pilant at his command ; but these 
may be prepared in such a way as to be full of instruction, 
if he will follow out the suggestions I am about to offer. 
[But first of the parts which go to form an ordinary 
