DURING this month, and onwards during the year, the Nidulariacei may be found, and are well worth the looking for. They are not leaf-fungi of which I have hitherto spoken, but one species, Thelobolus terrestris (*) may be found upon fir leaves. The dying or dead stems of ferns, especially of Pteris aquilina (Pteridium aquilinum), are the habitats of many of them ; others may be found on dead twigs lying on the ground, or in other similar situations. Many of them are in appearance like small birds' nests, hence the name of Nidulariacei In one species, Crucibulum vulgare (Crucibulum.laeve), there are from four to six of these egg-like bodies on an average in each nest about the size of a moderate-sized pin's head. If one of these egg-like bodies be softened in water and broken up, it will be found to contain thousands of oval transparent spores. Although I have bestowed much trouble in looking for these curious plants, I have only met with a few of them. Cyathus vernicosus (Cyathus olla) I found at Broughton-in-Furness in August, 1875; and Sphærobolus stellatus (*) in October of the same year at Marple. It will be observed that the fungi referred to are comparatively large, and may be readily recognised if the student is fortunate enough to meet with them. Some of them will measure from quarter of an inch to half an inch or more in diameter. There are many species of Ascobolus, which belong to the Elvellacei, now to be met with, and they are easily recognised. Numerous of them are of a bright orange or yellow colour, and grow upon cow-dung. They may be found in almost every pasture where cows feed. The fruit of the Ascobolus, when well mounted, forms one of the most beautiful of microscopic objects. The spores are in countless numbers of pod-like cases called asci, and are very transparent. They should be mounted in jelly or fluid. After many trials, I have been compelled to give up Canada balsam as a medium for these objects.

Besides the above so easily found there are numerous other species which require carefully looking for; some are black, some green, and others of various shades. A many of them are very small. By far the larger number of the species are to be found upon the dung of animals—the cow, horse, rabbit, sheep, and others furnish numerous species. Some have been found upon leather and old rags, but I must not occupy the space necessary for a fuller account of these interesting fungi. I will only add that they may be found anywhere in the proper season. Some of the species may be met with all the year round. At the present time cow-dung is the favourite nidus upon which several species grow in great abundance.

Some of the Myxogastres (a most interesting family, and a great puzzle to the science student) come to the front about this time, while others of them are over, and will not appear again until spring. Physarum album (Didymium difforme) is a very interesting member of the family. Damp shady places, especially woods, should be explored in search of it. It may be found on various substances. My most pleasing specimen I found on leaves of ground ivy in October of last year. Other species may be found on dead branches of trees lying on the ground or on rotten wood.

Various species of Arcyria (they also belong to the Myxogastres) may now be met with on rotten wood, or on moss in damp places. They are exceedingly beautiful microscopic objects, and are comparatively common. The (Arcyria punicea) (Arcyria denudata), the common name of which is "Splendid Arcyria," does truly merit that name. It is of a rich red colour, aboat the size of a large pin's head. and clusters of the fungus are usually found together. There are other members of the family that will be met with by the diligent student, but I name this one specially, as it is of all of them the most easily found in consequence of its bright colour.

The Trichia (also Myxogastres) are now to be met with. They also are found on rotten wood. One of them, Trichia rubiformis (Metatrichia vesparium), is readily seen by its bright red colour, and is here known commonly as " Reddish Trichia." There are numerous species of the Trichia, almost all on rotten wood. During the month, and indeed during the winter, the forest, where dead sticks are scattered about, and dead stumps, in various conditions of rottenness may be met with, forms a rich hunting ground for the student. Not only are the above rich in minute fungi, but the thousands of leaves spread about under his feet are almost all more or loss covered with minute cryptogams. I have rambled miles among such scenes of dead vegetation, where I have found an infinity of life springing up from the ashes of the dead. Organisms, wonderful in their structure, rich in colour, and when seen under the lens of a good microscope, as beautiful as the loved flowers of the spring. The admirer of the common wild flowers finds his special botanical enjoyment gone as winter approaches, but it is not so with the microscopist; for him nature provides a perpetual feast. No frost or storm can deprive him of his plants The enjoyment when he meets with them is untold, and in due time they are placed in his cabinet, and become things of beauty for ever.

I have once met with Xenodochus carbonarius (*) as late as October, as also various members of the same genus; indeed, there are a goodly number of leaf-fungi still to be found. Sheltered warm corners amongst rocks are likely places to find late specimens of micro-fungi; indeed, the thoughtful student will not overlook such promising localities. I abstain from giving a technical description of the fungi I have referred to, as I believe the small space I can occupy is better employed in indicating to the student what to look for, and the most likely places to find what he wants. Structure is best understood by personal examination with a microscope.

I will close this paper by a reference to the Diachæa. The one species - for there is but one—belongs to the Myxogastres, and may be found when the special conditions exist all the year round. It is not so common as the other fungi I have spoken of. It grows in small tufts aggregated, and about the size of the Arcyria, but there is no beauty of colour to attract the eye, for it is perfectly black. The structure of the fungus is very beautiful, and very similar to the structure of the Arcyria. I have found this fungus but once, and that was some years ago, in a cucumber frame, upon a bit of very rotten wood. The fungus, I am inclined to think, is not very rare, but its blackness and small size prevent its being seen.

AS November approaches the leaf-fungi have with but few exceptions withdrawn from the scene, but other minute members of the great fungus family crowd upon us and claim our attention.

The innumerable leaves, lately green or beautifully tinted with autumnal shades, are now scattered about in all directions. The vegetable vitality is extinct, but the dead leaf becomes the home of countless organisms. In its gradual decomposition it brings into life a new world of interesting plants, all deserving of microscopic study. There is nothing upon the leaf to indicate the existence of the former leaf-fungi except an opening or fracture in the leaf itself. The leaf tissue has in part been consumed by the parasite, and the millions of spores have been wafted away by the wind to find a resting place until another summer, when they may originate a renewed life. Now there is no scarcity of fallen leaves, for country lanes and woody districts are paved with them. If we pick up a few we soon discover a marked, difference in their surface appearance. Some have distinct black patches upon them, the marks of a decided fungus, while others have but microscopic hints of the possibility of organic life. The patches I speak of are sometimes so arranged upon the leaf of the sycamore as to form a beautiful artistic pattern; at other times irregularly broken up into large and small patches. In all oases they are intensely black and have a shining undulating surface so that they are easily recognised. The black patches on the sycamore are caused by a fungus known as Rhytisma acerinum (*), and may be met with in woods every autumn in great quantity. I shall never forget my first find of this well-known fungus in a wood at Chelford, early in my microscopic study. Since then, I have frequently met with it. Willow leaves furnish us with another Rhytisma, R. salicinum (*), and the nettle another, R. urticæ (Aporhytisma urticae), but these, although easily seen, are not so conspicuous as R. acerinum (*). There is one other to which I must refer, namely, Rhytisma maximum (Cryptomyces maximus), which makes its home upon branches of the willow, and when in good condition is a most interesting object. Then the spores in asci may be easily obtained and prepared for microscopic inspection. I have always been more or less disappointed in the examination of other Rhytisma, but never with this. It may he known by its shining surface, but the dimpled characteristic of other Rhytisma is absent.

The genus Dothidea should now be looked for. Various of them have made their appearance earlier, but may linger on to the end of the year. The one on the rush, D. junci (Phyllachora junci), is an annual visitor, and may now he met with on the margins of pools where rushes love to grow. Another, which is very common, is D. filicina (Rhopographus filicinus), bracken Dothidea. Almost every stem of Pteris aquilina (Pteridium aquilinum) is more or less infested with this fungus. Some of the Dothidea grow on decayed herbaceous stems, as D. striæformis (?). [This species is included in M.C.Cooke 1871,Handbook of British Fungi, Vol.II page 808. It is not clear what modern name is used.] Gooseberry branches are sometimes infested with Dothidea ribesia (Dothiora ribesia). Other plants become the homes of other Dothidea, but it is not desirable that I should occupy more time with this genus.

The Phacidiacei, of which there are numerous species, and some of which may be easily found on dead leaves. On the holly leaves two species are frequently met with. In woods where the holly is plentiful, the dead leaves of the trees in winter are scattered about in thousands, and almost every leaf is beautifully spotted over with the conspicuous black fungus. The two species I refer to are Phacidium ilicis (Trochila ilicina) and P. ilicis pulveracea (Phacidium multivalve).

Leaves of other plants, now dead on the ground, are equally the habitats of members of this family. What I have said must be accepted as an indication of an interesting field of research to the student.

There is a small, bright yellow or orange fungus to he found on damp old twigs and stumps in the shape of rounded spots. After a long continuance of wet weather this is so abundant at times that it cannot be well overlooked, and more especially about this season. It is Tubercularia vulgaris (*). It is also found on dead twigs upon the living tree. I have many times found it thus in Hough End Clough, within about a mile from Alexandra Park, Manchester. If examined, it is found to consist almost entirely of a mass of countless conidia. I have found November the best time to look for this fungus, and when I have set out on an expedition for that purpose I have never failed to secure what I wanted. This fungus is, however, but the early condition of a more interesting plant, known as Nectria cinnabarina (*), in its perfect condition, and I have sometimes found it when the two conditions could be distinctly seen on the same stem, and when the change from the early state of the fungus to its perfect condition was taking place. I have at present specimens in my herbarium of that character by me which I obtained some years ago.

The Nectria belong to the Sphæriacei, as also do the Dothidea, spoken of above, having spores in asci, and it requires a good lens to define them well. A fourth or a sixth is the most suitable power for the purpose.

The industrious student will meet with numerous other micro-fungi during the month equally interesting with those to which I have referred, but I have said enough to point out the vast field of research which lies before him, and I hope I have also said sufficient to stimulate his industry in the pursuit of a study, than which none is more delightful, nor does any provide for him a more ample reward.

THOSE who have done me the honour of reading my notes from month to month dnring 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 (Glechoma hederacea), within about a hundred yards of the railroad station at Taunton. 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 (Umbilicus rupestris), and is known as Puccinia umbilici (*). 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.