FUNGI. A large class of cryptogams, distinguished from algae more by habit than by any general character. "They are polymorphous, (often) ephemeral, annual or perennial, never green; composed either of filaments, or of a loose or close tissue, pulpy fleshy, rarely woody; sometimes furnished with peculiar vessels, containing, a white, yellow, or orange milky juice. They grow above or under ground, on decomposing vegetable or animal matter,or are parasites on vast numbers of phaenogamous plants, and even on other Fungi. They are very rarely found on stones,or in water. In no particular can they be compared with phaenogams, having no organs comparable with leaves and flowers. Among acotyledons, they approach algae in their vegetation, and lichens in their fructification, but they have no fronds. Fungi have nearly the same geographical distribution as lichens; they are net with in the tropics, and in the coldest regions of both hemispheres, at the top of the highest mountains, beyond phaenogamic vegetation. The smell of Fungi is not generally strong, and might be termed fungoid when it is mild and pleasant,like that of the Mousseron (Agaricus albellus). They are usually mild, and not very pleasant to the taste. Some are so extremely acrid that it would be dangerous to retain much of them in the mouth; however,this acridity disappears, as Truffles, Morels and certain. Agarics, are edible, and much sought after. Many othres, which strongly resemble the preceding, and which nearly all belong to the genera Agaricus and Lactarius, are poisonus. To distinguish between edible and poisonous Fungi is a very difficult matter" (Leveille). With the exception of the Ergot of Rye or Wheat, Fungi are now seldom employed in medicine. Fig. 59 shows spores of a number of species of the huge genus Agaricus. Most of the species of this genus have colourless spores, but in some they are pink, brown, or black; they are very variable in size; some, also, are smooth, whilst a few are rough or nodulose-especially amongst those in which the colour is pink. Fig. 60 represents the Candlesnuff Funges which is frequently seen on decaying wood. Some of the minute Fungi-such as the Peronspora infestans, which attacks the potato and other Solanaceous plants-are extremely destructive, and amongst the worst pests against which the gardener has to contend.