nutenefs and obfcurity, (if they really exif^ 
at all) remaining invifible even by the aid of 
the microfcope. Many therefore fappofe 
that there is no produdion of flower or feedy 
but that they owe their origin entirely to the 
putrefadlion of earth or dung. This fort of foil 
however fir ft difeovers them under the form of 
a white, mouldy, fibrous fubftance, called 
fpawn, which proves productive of nume- 
rous minute white knots, or embryo plants, 
gradually increafing to the perfeCt Mufiiroom. 
On this fubjeCt the botanic world have 
been long divided in opinion, the moderns 
generally contend for the flower and feed, 
and have in a manner confuted the doftrine 
of putrefaction. 
Thefe confider the Mufliroom as a true 
and perfect plant, produced from feed 
afforded 
