Fungi Under the Microscope
Apart from bacteria, viruses and insects, most damage is cause by microscopic fungi, such as rust, blight and mould. These moulds lead to a general wasting of seedlings and also precipitate dangerous diseases in potato plants and vines.
Blight specifically attacks wheat and some dust blight can destroy whole ears of corn and transform them into a mass of black spores; on the other hand, hard blight leaves corn ears alone.
Another distinguishing feature Is the character of the hymenium, or fertile layer of the fungus fruit-body. In the tnicrostudy of fungi an important role is also played by the structure of the cuticle of the cap, which consists of long filaments or globular cells. The anatomical structure of the gills (tram) is also important. Basically it can be one of the four following types: irregular, regular, bilateral and inverse. The nature of the gill flesh can be accurately established by taking thin, transverse slices with it razor blade.
The value of fungi for man largely stems from the existence of edible mushrooms, for the fruit-bodies of some species have traditionally been consumed throughout the ages. The number of species identified as edible in the past remained very small for a long time without increasing. This was perhaps due to the fact that edible mushrooms usually grow in the same localities as almost identical poisonous fungi and therefore their lack of popularity often belied their quality.
If a microscope is available, sections of fungoid fruit-bodies should be occasionally prepared to observe the remarkable textures of these organisms. Similarly, fungus spores offer an interesting and colourful picture.
The information found in the writings of such early natural scientists as Pliny and Galen shows that other, less common and tasty mushrooms were also eaten.
