Mycological System

VII

and would shed new and clearer light on their vegetation and morphology, especially that of the Myxogastrium slime molds, which is almost unheard of in all of herbology.

There remain still the Cryptomycetes hidden fungi, or Hyphomycetes thread-fungi and Coniomycetes dust-fungi, classes better to be joined into one, which are certainly of less scope and weight than I myself assumed at the threshold of the work. Very many of their genera, according to my observations, are only elementary abortive or sterile thalline states of more perfect fungi. The singular description and naming of all species of Hypodermia fungi growing under the skin/epidermis of plants, which are as it were the Variolariae pox-like growths of more perfect plants, of Phylleriaceae leaf-spot fungi, to be compared with Isidia small coral-like growths in Lichenes lichens, and other genera depending only on the matrix, frustrate the diligence of mortals and the memory of men. Indeed, I would have believed that the true end of science is more regarded and promoted by treating these with a physiological-pathological method. Although, to confess honestly, my knowledge of these plants has as yet only been irradiated by the dawn, for I have always dedicated greater attention to the present more perfect fungi; however, the other section of this volume, certain