Volume 8 
Number 9 
The Plant World 
a iHaffajine of papular -Botany 
SEPTEMBER, 1905 
OUTLINES FOR THE OBSERVATION OF SOME OF 
THE MORE COMMON FUNGI. 
By Professor George F. Atkinson, 
Cornell University. 
These outlines have been prepared for the Plant World at the 
suggestion of Dr. C. S. Gager. They are not intended as a 
guide to the thorough and scientific study of fungi, but are de¬ 
signed more for the purpose of aiding in the observation of these 
interesting and curious plant forms, so far as this can be done 
for persons having no technical knowledge of the subject and 
having no aids in the way of microscopes more than perhaps 
now and then a pocket lens. It must be understood that with the 
general outlines here given, species, or in many cases genera even, 
cannot be accurately described. In many cases the description 
will answer for several species and for the purpose of study 
any one of several closely related species will answer. But it is 
hoped that they may serve the purpose of stimulating some to 
make careful observations and to increase the interest in out-door 
life by widening the range of forms of life with which one may 
come into conscious contact. 
The Black Mold. 
One of the black molds is often very common on decaying 
vegetables or fruits, or on old bread. It is often obtained in the 
following way. Cut a lemon or orange in halves. Squeeze out 
the juice. Allow the rind to lie for a day in an occupied room. 
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