364 A TEXTBOOK OF GENERAL BOTANY 
3. They destroy food, clothing, timber, and other useful materials. 
4, Some fungi are poisonous and when eaten cause serious illness 
or even death. 
Fungi are useful to 
man in the following 
ways: 
1. Certain fungi, par- 
ticularlymushrooms, are 
used for food. In some 
countries the raising of 
mushrooms is an indus- 
try of considerable im- 
SD ES 
Ea fase <= t The fl 
emme!e oy CLES Rea 0rtance. 1e flavors 
CO 




og 
EOS SY OSE HEE FA ZEN of many fine cheeses 
Oe ee are due to the growth 
Sere of fungi. 
AZO OOO OSD é 
OF, Sl 2. Some fungi are 
used as medicine, one, 
ergot (Claviceps pur- 
purea) (Fig. 368), being 
official in all pharmaco- 
poelas. 
3, All commercial al- 
cohol is produced by the 
yeast fungi. 
Fia. 394. Cross section of a lichen thallus 4. The raising of 
bread by yeast is due 
ors 






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O = 



The dark oval bodies near the upper portion of 
the thallus are algal cells to the yeast fungus. 
5. Certain fungi kill 
insects which are harmful to man. One fungus attacks the common 
house fly and is one of the few natural agents which reduce their 
number. | 
6. Fungi are useful by causing the decay of plant and animal 
remains. If it were not for the destruction of dead plants and ani- 
mals by fungi and other organisms the remains of plants and animals 
would form a thick covering over the earth. By the decay of plants 
and animals the food material in them is rendered available to green 
plants. 
