| # MICRO-FUNGI: WHEN AND WHERE TO FIND THEM by ## Thomas Brittain 1882

Thomas Brittain (1806-1884) Born - Sheffield 2nd January 1806. Died - Urmston, Lancashire 23rd January 1884. Accountant by profession. To aid the identification and location of particular species the volume was split into twelve parts, each part referring to a particular month of the year. We have also included facsimile pages from the Northern Microscopist for the months of September thru December and also for January. The original volume has two plates. However, this CD has a number of supplementary illustrations from 'Microscopic Fungi - Rust, Smut, Mildew and Mould' by Mordecai Cubitt Cooke. The illustrations are taken from the sixth edition of 1902. Some references concerning Thomas Brittain extracted from 'Identifying Microslide Labels' Obituary - Transactions of the Manchester Microscopical Scoiety 1891 (front). And Gardeners Chronicle 1884 I, 155. Dictionary of National Biography. VI. 359. Elected to the Manchester Literary and Philosophical Society - 25th January 1859 President of the Manchester Microscopical Society - 1882 Science Gossip July 1866 Exchange Column - 'Cuticles of Leaves and Petals, also Foraminifera and Diatoms. - T.Brittain, Fallowfield, Manchester' also in Science Gossip of August 1866 an article 'On the Microscopic Uses of Canada Balsam' by Thomas Brittain Science Gossip September 1866 - 'Cuticle of Fern. - If the Harts tongue (Scolopendrium vulgare) be carefully examined when the seeds are pretty well developed, it will be found that the seeds are covered with a thin tissue. This is called the indusium, and is, in fact, simply an extension of the pure cuticle. This can be cut off readily with a razor or sharp knife. It forms a long narrow strip, and is easily mounted. - Thos. Brittain, Fallowfield.' Science Gossip October 1866 - 'Epithelium Cells. - The cells which form the scarf-skin or cuticle of the human subject can be obtained in several ways. They are always interesting, and sometimes they form beautiful objects for polarization. Thin sections of a callosity, or thickened part of the cuticle, as also thin sections of corns, are of the latter kind. The skin which covers the fluid of a blister sometimes shows not only the cells of the cuticle but the pores of the skin also. The best way of getting individual cells is by scraping the roof of the mouth with a blunt knife. They lie loosely on the surface of the skin, and are easily removed with the small quantity of saliva which is necessarily collected by the knife in the operation. The colour-mixing knife, which has not a sharp edge, is the best for this purpose. Cells obtained in this way are best examined when fresh; but they may be mounted dry, as they preserve their form and character a long tie. - Thos. Brittain.' Science Gossip April 1868 - Article 'Resin versus Balsam' by Thos. Brittain, 58 Upper Brook Street, Manchester Science Gossip June 1871 Exchanges column - 'Aecidium violae, Ae. Ranunculacearum, Puccinia umbelliferarum, and other Fungi, for other objects. - T. Brittain, Park Street, Green Heys, Manchester.' Science Gossip March 1872 - Botany section 'New Fungi. - Mr. T. Britton (sic), of Manchester, who is well known as a botanist, has recently added two new species to our British Flora. One is a fungus found on the Butter-bur (Petasites vulgaris), and named Badhamia capsulifera, B., which Mr. M. C. Cooke has declared to be new to our flora. The other was found at Chelfoed, in Cheshire, during Christmas week, and is also new. Mr. Phillips, of Shrewsbury, has identified it as Perichoena quercina, F.' In May Mr. Phillips (mentioned above) corrects the spelling of Brittain. Science Gossip May 1872 Exchanges column - 'Badhamia capsulifer, the new British Leaf Fungus (above), for other objects of interest. - Address, with list, Thos. Brittain, 52 Park Street, Green Heys, Manchester.' Despite the statement in the Exchange column of Science Gossip stating that only one 'Exchange' may be inserted at a time by the same individual the following entry also appears in the May 1872 issue. - 'For Puccinia anemonae (Anemone Brand) send stamped envelope; no exchange required, - Thos. Brittain, 52 Park Street, Green Heys, Manchester.' Science Gossip October 1873 - Microscopy section - 'How to Mount Microscopic Fungi. - In reply to your correspondent E. L. Hull as to mounting microscopic fungi I beg to give the following information of my own mode of mounting. First, I mount the fungus on sheets of cartridge paper, of Royal Octavo size, usually taking care to place a portion near the edge of the paper, so that the fungus can be examined in situ as an opaque microscopic object. Second, in some cases of Aecidiceae (Cluster cups) and others I mount the fungus on the usual microscopic glass slides as opaque objects in dry vells of gutta-percha, or other suitable material. These are more convenient for reference than the octavo mountings. Third, the spores of fungi I mount in balsam, reduced with benzole, when they will bear the action of the chemicals; and when that action destroys the tissue or renders the spores too transparent, I use - Fourth, a composition of Gelatine, which I buy at a shilling a bottle of Mr. Aylward, of Cotham Street, Strangways, Manchester. In this latter case (as also in No. 3) I soften the fungus in water and then cut a very thin section, or crush the fruit, asci, or otherwise upon the slide; I examine the slide in the water, and if I find the asci or spores in good condition, I allow them to dry upon the slide, and when dry I, after softening the gelatine by heat, breath upon the object and drop a small quantity of gelatine upon it, let it harden, give the necessary japan border, and the object is complete. The gelatine mixture I speak of preserves the most delicate spores, and when thus mounted they will retain their character for an indefinite period. In all cases where the fungus will allow it, sections of the entire tissue should be cut: In this case the asci are seen in their natural position and the object is not only pleasing for its beauty as a microscopic object, but is a lesson in botanical physiology. - T. Brittain, Manchester.' At the Manchester Microscopical Society meeting on Thursday, 18th November 1880 '...a letter was read from Mr. Thomas Brittain, saying that he had just returned from a sojourn in the Lake district with numerous specimens, and that he would be happy to place three evenings at the disposal of any members of the Society who chose to call upon him.' Manchester Microscopical Society meeting 16th December 1880 at the Mechanics Institution. Mr. Thomas Brittain vice president presiding. - The paper for the evening was by Thomas Brittain, Esq. On Dry Rot, but owing to the business lasting until 10 o'clock, this subject was not reached.' Science Gossip November 1873 - Article - The Seahorse (Hippocampus brevirostris) by Thomas Brittain. Science Gossip April 1874 - 'Remounting injections. - Allow me to inform your correspondent, W. Statham, (Note:- of Green Bank, Shottle, near Derby) that the best way of remounting the injections he refers to in your number last month, is to allow them to get thoroughly dry and mount in balsam, after saturating them in benzole. I have many beautiful injections which I remounted in this way about twenty years ago. - Thomas Brittain.' Science Goosip August 1874 Exchanges column - 'For Cluster-cups (Aecm. Epilobii) send stamped envelope to T. Brittain, 52 Park Street, Green Heys, Manchester. No exchange required.' Science Gossip September 1874 Exchanges column - 'For Erysephe montapnio on Burdock, send stamped envelope to T. Brittain, 52 Park Street, Green Heys, Manchester. No exchange required.' Science Gossip November 1874 Notes and Queries - 'Examining Micro-Fungi. - I have had the good fortune to meet with a considerable gathering of that rare and interesting Micro-fungus Xenodochus carbonarius, and intend to refer to it in your exchange column. In the mean time allow me to say, for the information of beginners in this department of microscopic study, that the best way of examining temporarily this other smuts or brands, is to place a small portion in water on a glass slide, and try the various powers always beginning with the lower ones, - T. Brittain.' Also in the Exchange column - 'For Xenodochus carbonarius send stamped envelope to T. Brittain, 52 Park Street, Green Heys, Manchester. No exchange required.' Science Gossip December 1875 Exchange column - 'Thirty selected, named Micro-fungi , mounted in book form, for other objects. - T. Brittain, 52 Park Street, Green Heys, Manchester.' And also 'For Puccinia Epilobii (brand), address T. Brittain, 52 Park Street, Green Heys, Manchester. No exchange required.' Science Gossip January 1877 in the Botany section - 'Another Insectivorous Plant' by Thos. Brittain. This article makes mention of T. Brittains nephew F. Brittain of Sheffield. Further to the above the following appeared in the March 1877 issue of Science Gossip Botany Section - 'APOCYNUM ANDOSAEMIFOLIUM - Mr. T. Brittain, who communicated the fact of this plant probably being "carnivourous", has forwarded to us the following copy of a letter from Mr. Charles Darwin on the subject:-"I am much obliged to you for calling my attention to the very curious case of the Apocynum. I am quite unable to understand the meaning of this trap-like arrangement. I do not believe that it is of any benefit to the plant, and certainly it is none to the unfortunate insects. I have at present a plat in my hot-house, and if it flower I shall attempt to solve the problem. I may mention that a well-known naturalist in Brazil, Fritz Muller, has been hitherto baffled by trying to understand this plant."' Science Gossip March 1877 Exchanges Column - 'Utricularia vulgaris, U. minor, U. intermedia, U. neglecta, Drosera anglica, D. longifolia, in exchange for Microfungi, Lichens, or other microscopic objects. - T. Brittain, 8 York Street, Manchester.' In Science Gossip April 1877 exchanges column was the following referring to Mr. T. Brittains advertisement the previous month - 'In Mr. T. Brittains exchange of last month the word "Wanted" should have appeared before "Uticularia, &c.". Science Gossip July 1877 Botany Section - 'Anemone Cluster Cup. - I lately found near Windermere the Anemone Cluster-cup (Aecidium leucospermum) on the petals and along the stalk of the flower. This, I think, is a most unusual case, for amongst many thousands of specimens I have found, I never before met with such a circumstance. - Thos. Brittain.' Science Gossip 1877 Exchange column - 'Aecidium allii (on Garlic) and others offered for Aecidium soldnellae, or Ae. Dracontii; Ae. Valerianacearum; Ae. Asperifolii; Ae. Orobi; Ae. Scrophulariae; Ae. Pedicularis. - Thos. Brittain, 52 Park Street, Green Heys, Manchester.' Science Gossip August 1877 - 'White Copal as a mounting medium. - I have seen much correspondence respecting the merits of damar as a mounting medium, but have found great difficulty in drying. This has caused me to look around for something which would possess the advantages of damar without the great disadvantage of its not drying. This I think I have found in the best white copal. I should be glad if any of your correspondents would try it and report thereon. - T.B." This is probably by Thomas Brittain. Science Gossip February 1878 Botany Section - A note confirming to a correspondent the occurrence of Asplenium septentrionale near Dolgelly. This note mention Thos. Brittains friend Mr. Rose of Gorton. Science Gossip July 1879 Exchange Column - 'For Aecidium tragopogonis (goats beard cluster cap), send stamped envelope to T. Brittain, 52 Park Street, Green Heys, Manchester. No Exchange required.' Science Gossip August 1879 Exchange Column - 'For Uromyces intrusa (ladys matle brand) or Puccinia glomerata (ragwort brand), send stamped envelope to T. Brittain, 52 Park Street, Green Heys, Manchester. No exchange required.' Science Gossip August 1880 Botany Section - 'Physarum tussilaginis, B. and B. - I desire to call the attention of the students of micro-fungi to the above parasite.......... T. Brittain 47 Derby Street, Moss Side, Manchester.' Manchester Cryptogamic Society - Thomas Brittain elected as vice-president at meeting 20th December 1880. At a meeting of the Manchester Microscopical Society on 3rd February 1881 'Mr. Thomas Brittain, one of the vice-presidents of the Society, then gave an interesting account of a visit to the subterranean canal at Worsley, and the finding of the fungi Merulius lacrymans and Polyporus destructor., of which the following is an abstract:- In 1870, he made one of a party of Science students who visited the Duke of Bridgewaters coal mines at Worsley. From 20 to 30 descended one of the shafts, finding that when at the bottom, they were upon the banks of an underground canal, whose windings extended for a distance of about 18 miles. After sailing along the canal from shaft to shaft and examining the working arrangements of the mine, a visit was paid to the stables, which contained animals that had never seen the light of day, except that imperfect glimmer which finds its way down the shafts. The boat which conveyed them along was furnished with candles, which just served to make darkness visible; until out of a rock at one point of the voyage they came across a gas jet which shed a strong and welcome light all around. This gas-light had been burning for about ten years: it was natural gas escaping from coal embedded in the rock...............' At a meeting of the Manchester Scientific Students Association Wednesday January 26th 1881 - 'Mr. Thomas Brittain then addressed a few remarks to those assembled on the subject of the Microscope.. It gave him great pleasure to be amongst the Members that evening, especially in connection with what he might call his favourite study. He had been a student of Science through the microscope for at least forty years, and during this period it had been his pleasure to notice how gradually but steadily the study of the instrument had been coming into use. At the time to which he referred one could have counted on ones fingers the number of Gentlemen who possessed Microscopes, and it was the same throughout the whole country..................................................................In conclusion he expressed the pleasure that it would afford him to give information for the next two months and assist those members who might visit him.' At a meeting of the Manchester Microscopical Society Thursday March 3rd 1881 at the Mechanics Institution 'Mr. Brittain, one of the vice presidents, gave a short paper on the Lichen Verrucaria nitida. The paper was illustrated by large drawings of the various organs prepared for the purpose of this paper by the Lecturer.' Also 'Mr. Brittain then made a communication with regard to a new portable microscope, which, with a good French triplet, could be purchased for three guineas.' Manchester Microscopical Society Annual meeting Thursday 24th February 1881 -'The report and accounts were adopted, on the proposition of Mr. George E. Davis, seconded by Mr. Thomas Brittain.' Also Thomas Brittain elected as vice president. Northern Microscopist Vol. I, April 1881 Notes and Queries 'Leaf Fungi. - I should like to remind the readers of The Northern Microscopist that April is the best month for finding the beautiful cluster-cup Aecidium ranunculacaerum and also Uromyces ficariae. Both are found upon the pile-wort, a plant very common in the Manchester district, Gatley Carr and the surrounding neighbourhood is a capital hunting ground for both. I find them both there , every year. - Thos. Brittain.' Manchester Microscopical Society Meeting April 7th 1881 - Mr. Thos. Brittain, vice president exhibited the lichen Verrucaria nitida, and the sporidia of the same in ascus. He also exhibited another interesting Lichen Graphis elegans with the fruit in ascus. In referring to the two species he exhibited drawings of both which he had prepared to illustrate the subject. The 1881 Census records where Thomas Brittain was living as a widower:- 47 Derby St, Moss Side, Lancashire, England Mary Elizabeth GATENBY, Widow aged 47 born at Holyhead, Anglesey, Wales - Head of household Ada Mary GATENBY, Unmarried aged 21 born at Manchester, daughter of head Annie GATENBY, Unmarried aged 19 born at Manchester, daughter of head Jessie GATENBY, Unmarried aged 16 born at Manchester, daughter of head Thomas BRITTAIN, Widower aged 75 born at Sheffield, boarder James Firth MOORHOUSE, Widower aged 52 born at Kirkbaston, York, England, boarder Northern Microscopist May 1881 - Notes and Queries - Leaf Fungi in May - Thos. Brittain. At the Manchester Cryptogamic Society meeting on May 6th 1881 'Thomas Brittain exhibited a series of Lichens which he had mounted so as to serve for the herbarium as well as for microscopical investigation....' Northern Microscopist June 1881 - Notes and Queries - Leaf Fungi in June - Thomas Brittain. Northern Microscopist July 1881 - Article - Rambles in the Green Fields in Whit-week. Manchester Microscopical Society meeting 2nd June 1881 - 'Mr. Thos. Brittain, with the assistance of Mr. Cook the honorary secretary, distributed to all the members present specimens of a Cluster-cup he had recently met with in Ireland, on the sea coast of Bangor, Co. Down.' Northern Microscopist August 1881 - Notes and Queries - Leaf Fungi in August - Thomas Brittain. Manchester Microscopical Society meeting July 7th 1881 - 'Mr. Thos. Brittain.......a description of a days ramble in Derbyshire.' And also 'Mr. Thomas Brittain kindly distributed to the members mounted specimens of Puccinia anemones.' The Northern Microscopist August 1881- Notes and Queries - Staining Infusoria - Thos. Brittain. Northern Microscopist September 1881 - Notes and Queries - Micro Fungi in September - Thomas Brittain. Manchester Microscopical Society August 1881 informal meeting - Thos. Brittain attended. Manchester Cryptogamic Society meeting July 16th 1881 - Mr. Thomas Brittain occupied the chair. Northern Microscopist September 1881 - Notes and Queries - Micro-Fungi Northern Microscopist October 1881 - Micro Fungi for October - Thomas Brittain. Manchester Microscopical Meeting September - '.... Mr. Brittain, vice president, distributed to members present specimens of a leaf fungus found by him in July upon the bank of the river Mersey at Didsbury. The fungus is called Uromyces intrusa, and grows upon the well-known ladies' mantle, Alchemilla vulgaris. Mr. Brittain also submitted two specimens of dendritic spots for the inspection of the members, and requested an opinion upon them.' And exhibited mounted objects - Dendritic Spots and Tilletia caries. Northern Microscopist November 1881 - Micro Fungi in November - Thomas Brittain. Northern Microscopist November 1881 - Micro Fungi in December - Thomas Brittain. Manchester Cryptogamic Society meeting October 17th 1881 - 'Mr .Thomas Brittain presided over the meeting..... and gave a brief account of his recent visit to Cornwall where he met Mr. Ralfs (John Ralfs M.R.C.S.), Mr. Curnow (Note:- address Pembroke Cottage, Newbyn Cliff, Penzance, Cornwall in 1874) and Mr. Marquand (Note:- Ernest D. Marquand), an eminent trio of Cryptogamic Botanists, who reside in the vicinity of Penzance.... Mr. Brittain had collected a large number of microscopic fungi and a few lichens, and some of these he kindly distributed at the meeting.'. At the Manchester Microscopical Meeting of Tuesday, October 6th 1881 it was noted that 'Mr. Thomas Brittain had sent from Falmouth specimens of Phragmidium bulbosum for distribution among the members.' Manchester Microscopical Society meeting 3rd November 1881 - 'Mr. Thomas Brittain, vice-president, distributed Puccinia malvacearum' Manchester Natural History Society meeting Monday 14th November 1881 - 'Mr. Thos. Brittain showed over a hundred leaves of various plants which displayed in a remarkable manner the tints of autumn.....'. Manchester Cryptogamic Society meeting - December 1881 - Thomas Brittain elected vice-president. Manchester Microscopical Society meeting December 1st 1881 - 'Mr. J. L. W. Miles called attention to a contrivance in place of a revolving table - a piece of table oilcloth -..... Mr. E. Ward said that at the suggestion of Mr. Miles he had used the oilcloth carrier, and was much pleased with its simplicity and usefulness. The President (John Boyd), Mr. Brittain, and others described various modifications of this plan.' Also 'Mr. Thomas Brittain, vice president, having read a paper on the Structure and Modification of the Organ of Sight, the usual conversazione followed, but most of the members went upstairs to visit the exhibition of the Photographic Society, from whom a general invitation had been sent....' The Northern Microscopist January 1882 -Micro-fungi: When and Where to Find them. Manchester Microscopical Society third annual soiree Saturday, February 25th 1882 - 'The President, Mr. Thomas Brittain, F.R.M.S., in introducing the Rev. W. H. Dallinger, [Note:- Rev. W. H. Dallinger, LL.D., F.R.S., F.R.M.S. President of Quekett Microscopical Club elected July 1890-1-2] called attention to the advantages offered to the scientific student by the Society, which embraced all departments of natural science, except those connected with pure mathematics. The Society was but young, having been in existence only two years, and from having about a dozen members now numbered 175.....' Manchester Microscopical Meeting March 2nd 1882 - 'The President, Mr. Thomas Brittain, F.R.M.S., in the chair.' - 'The President notified that he had brought for distribution some specimens of Puccinia Betonoe. Manchester Microscopical Society meeting March 2nd 1882 - 'On the conclusion of the paper (Mr. George E. Davis, F.R.M.S. - The Human Eye) a short discussion was held, in which Messrs. Fleming, Stanley, Ragdale, and Brittain took part.' Manchester Microscopical Society meeting March 2nd 1882 - Mr. Thomas Brittain exhibited Micro-slides of Puccinia Betonoe. Manchester Microscopical Society Thursday April 6th - The President, Mr. Thos. Brittain (ex officio), F.R.M.S., in the chair ....announced a second ramble to the Bolton valley on Saturday the 22nd, under the leadership of Mr. Hy. Hyde. Manchester Microscopical Society Spring ramble to Gatley Carrs 17th June 1882 - 'Mr. Brittain, the president, who acted as conductor, led them along the banks of the river Mersey.....'. This ramble was reported at the July meeting of the Society. Manchester Microscopical Society meeting May 4th 1882 - 'Mr. Thomas Brittain, the president, in the chair....... Read a paper on the Magnifying Powers of Microscopes and Telescopes.' In the Northern Microscopist June 1882 - Notes and Queries - 'Eggs of Parasite of Rook. - Walking a few days ago near the rookery of Fallowfield Brow, as the place is called, I was impressed with the angry chatter of the birds, and the large number of black feathers scattered on the ground. It occurred to me that the eggs of the rook parasite might be upon the feathers. I collected a number of them, and on my return home examined them under the microscope, when I found that my conjecture was correct, for hundreds of the eggs were crowded in a mass upon the stalk of one feather only. Other feathers had but a comparative few upon them. As I examined the eggs I noticed several young parasites escaping from their fractured shells, prepared to begin public life on their own account. - Thomas Brittain.' Manchester Microscopical meeting Thursday June 8th 1882 - Mr. Thomas Brittain in the chair. In The Northern Microscopist August 1882 a review of 'Micro Fungi: when and where to find them. By Thos. Brittain. Published in Manchester by Abel Heywood & Son.' Manchester Cryptogamic Society meeting July 17th, Mr. Thos. Brittain, F.R.M.S., in the chair. In The Northern Microscopist August 1882 Article - Parmelia parietina by Thomas Brittain. Manchester Microscopical Society meeting Thursday September 7th 1882 - Mr. Thomas Brittain, the President, in the chair. Science Gossip August 1883 - Botany Section - 'Aecidium Urticae and Ae. Tragopogonsis. - I am induced to furnish your readers with particulars of localities where I have met with the above.............' Thomas Brittain. ©D. S. Gill & M. Samworth 2000

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