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

## DECEMBER THOSE who have done me the honour of reading my notes from month to month during the year, will remember that we began the notice of leaf-fungi in the early spring, when they first came to gladden our eyes upon Ranunculus ficaria, generally known as Pilewort or the lesser Celandine. This early visitor of our meadows, with its two interesting micro-fungi upon its leaves, is the harbinger of a complete host of followers of equal or surpassing interest and beauty. Year by year with unfailing fidelity this welcome plant with its shining golden petals comes to the front thus early to cheer the botanist, and to re-call to the student of microscopy the large harvest of scientific study which is in preparation for him. Thus early we have but two species of leaf-fungi, hut soon others are developed in great number almost daily, until a large proportion of the vegetable kingdom becomes decorated or infested with these minute cryptogams, sometimes the pest of the agriculturist, but always the delight of the botanical microscopist, as also for him the best field for studying the secrets of nature. If there be a link connecting the animal and vegetable kingdoms, here it is that that link must be sought for, and the tendency of scientific research indicates that here it is where such link must be found. The thinkers of the day who earnestly seek to solve this hidden problem are all directing their studies towards certain members of this numerous family for a decided reply and demonstration on the subject. I fear to attempt a forecast of what the result may be. My desire is not to give an opinion on the difficult question, but to call the attention of the student to the subject as one of infinite interest and well deserving of his careful study. From month to month since March the leaf-fungi have kept us company in continually increasing numbers, until the deadening chills of autumn began to thin their ranks, and from that time they have left the field gradually until but few remain. Still there are two or three who keep up the fight for existence, and it is always a real pleasure to the microscopical student when he meets with these old favourites who remain to cast a bit of botanical sunshine on the dark days of winter. In this otherwise cold and dreary month there are sometimes bright days when the botanist will be off into the meadows hunting in sheltered nooks for sundry cryptogams, when his eye may rest upon the well-known smut upon the ragwort. This vigorous plant with its black spots of Puccinia comes into life early in the year and maintains a prolonged existence near unto the merry days of Christmas festivity. The only locality where I have found the fungus Puccinia glomerata so late as about this time is near to Southport. Betwixt this place and Churchtown there are countless sandy hills and sundry sandy lanes, and. amongst them many warm sheltered corners where more than one summer plant lingers on. into the short dark days of winter. It is in such places where the botanical hunter should peep, for there he may find unexpected prey. There are two other leaf-fungi which I have met with in December, but in these cases I had to go far away south into the charming and mild county of Devon. There in this month in 1873 I found the Ground Ivy Brand, Puccinia glechomatis, on Glecoma hederacea, within about a hundred yards of the railroad station at Taunton. Rust, Smut, Mildew & Mould - M.C.Cooke - Plate 4 Fig. 73-74 The other Devonshire fungus I refer to I met with in a pleasant ramble betwixt Barnstaple and llfracombe. It was in a sheltered valley well protected by surrounding hills. The plant upon which I found this third December fungus was upon the Cotyledon Umbilicus, and is known as Puccinia umbilici. Rust, Smut, Mildew & Mould - M.C.Cooke - Plate 4 Fig. 80-81 This I also found in 1878. Doubtless the short days of this month, with the not unfrequent accompaniments of snow and rain make botanical hunting not very inviting. Still something may be got worth gathering, for a handful of dead leaves picked up from the earth are certain to be covered more or less with vegetable organisms. When by the comfortable fireside in the long winter nights even these dead leaves will find the student profitable and pleasureable employment. In reviewing the notes of the year I meet with a complete host of interesting fungi which I could not well introduce to the reader. This is the result of an absolute necessity, as my space and my time have been alike limited. I have desired to be a guide and a help to the young beginner, and now I have to bid him farewell with a hearty wish that he may go on his way rejoicing. It has been a pleasure to me to have been employed in this humble duty, and I have a further satisfaction in believing that my labour has not been in vain. THOMAS BRITTAIN.

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