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

## FEBRUARY ABOUT this time when a large proportion of the potatoes and cabbages, and other vegetable wares of the market gardener have been sent to our large towns for sale, the unsaleable roots and stalks are scattered about in the fields or around the home of the grower. Now these well deserve the attention of the microscopist, for such organisms when in a state of decay, and especially after wet weather, are often more or less infested with very interesting fungi. One of them, Torula herbarum, I have met with in large quantity on decaying fibrous rootlets of potatoes in the neighbourhood of Manchester and elsewhere, as also on the stalk of cabbage. This fungus assumes the form of a black powder bursting through the cuticle of the plant. The atoms of powder or rather spores, for such they are, adhere together and form strings. Decayed stems of umbelliferous plants are frequently infested with this same Torula. Dead branches of willow often develop another species, Torula stilbospora, and indeed almost all the dead rotten sticks that may be found in a forest are liable to be infested with one or more species of Torula. It is too soon in the year to look out for leaf-fungi but there is even now one such which grows upon the leaves of camellia. The first indications of the fungus will be found in the existence of a roundish brown patch on the leaf, which by degrees becomes white and then extremely minute black spots are quickly developed upon it. These when broken up by pressure in water are found to be filled with very small sporidia, made up of about three cells and decorated with very singular appendages. The name of this curious fungus is Pestalozzia guepii. Dr. Cooke mentions others on the Cypress and on chips. These I have not met with, but I have found one not referred to by him on various pitcher plants, and especially on Sarracenia flava. The queer appendages connected with this fungus are more distinctly seen than are those upon the camellia leaf - P. guepii. One of the most interesting micro-fungi to be met with during the winter is Asterosporium hoffmanni. It must be looked for upon dead twigs of beech, and is said to be common, but I have not frequently met with it. The spores are made up of three or four compound cells, artistically arranged, and if the student succeeded in obtaining a good slide of them he will realise a large amount of pleasure in the examination of it. After a farmer has used straw for bedding his cattle, he will frequently throw it in heaps about the homestead, and it will lie there until it is completely saturated with rain water. I have often met with it in this condition, and whenever I have, I have in every instance met with an interesting fungus known as Chaetomium elatum, or "Straw Bristle-Mould," as it is called. Rust, Smut, Mildew & Mould - M.C.Cooke - Plate 12 Fig. 257-259 This is well worthy the search of the student, and not difficult to find, indeed it is one of the commonest of the microscopic fungi. There is an interesting fungus on onion peel, Aspergillus nigrum, which is also found upon other organic tissues; but I have met with it in the most perfect state on Portugal onions; sometimes on the outward layers of the covering, and not unfrequently on the inner layers of the onion itself. The student will not have much difficulty in meeting with this object, for its intense blackness betrays it, and it is well worthy of his attention. There are other species of Aspergillus on damp paper, on rabbits' dung and other organisms, but it must suffice for me to have indicated the subject generally. Upon the dead leaves of trees now lying on the ground in a state of decay numerous small fungi may be met with, amongst them the Fusidiums are pretty plentiful and well deserving of examination. They are of various colours, white, yellow, or grey. Fusidium flavo-virens, the yellow variety, I found on oak leaves in plenty long ago. The white variety, Fusidium album, may be found in almost any locality where the oak itself grows. There is another interesting fungus which infests a large number of the dead leaves which now cover the ground in the woods, and is most distinctly visible as a white patch. It is Cylindrium septatum and is when seen under a 4/10th or 1/4 inch lens a most interesting object. Upon wood far gone in a state of decay, I frequently meet with micro-fungi of interest. Aegerita candida I have found frequently in Hough End Clough, which is within the reach of Manchester. On examination with the microscope it is found to consist of white round balls, and is well worthy of a place in any cabinet. The various species which I have referred to are a selection from an innumerable host which have been brought into existence since the winter came upon us, and are of great interest to the scientific student. Being unable to name all, I have preferred to refer to such as may be most easily identified by the young beginner in this branch of study.

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