Dr. Carpenter relates an instance of the expansive power resulting from the rapid growth of the soft cellular tissue of fungi. About the commencement of this century the town of Basingstoke was paved; and not many months afterwards the pavement was observed to exhibit an unevenness which could not easily be accounted for. In a short time after, the mystery was explained, for some of the heaviest stones were completely lifted out of their beds by the growth of large toadstools beneath them. One of these stones measured 22 inches by 21 inches, and weighed 83 lb., and the resistance afforded by the mortar which held it in its place would probably be even a greater obstacle than the weight. A similar incident came under the notice of Mr. M. C. Cooke (the author of ‘British Fungi’), of a large kitchen hearthstone which was forced up from its bed by an under-growing fungus, and had to be relaid two or three times, until at last it reposed in peace, the old bed having been removed to the depth of 6 inches, and a new foundation laid. A circumstance recorded by Sir Joseph Banks is still more extraordinary, of a cask of wine which, having been confined for three years in a cellar, was, at the termination of that period, found to have leaked from the cask, and vegetated in the form of immense fungi, which had filled the cellar, and borne upwards the empty wine cask. Timber decay in contact with stone is a subject deserving consideration. This decay is entirely obviated by inserting the wood in an iron shoe, or by placing a thin piece of iron between the wood and the stone. It is said that a hard crust is formed on the timber in contact with the iron, which seems effectually to preserve it; it is, of course, necessary that a free circulation of air round the ends of the timber be provided. The most notable instance of timber decay in contact with stone with which we are acquainted occurred at the coronation of George IV. Westminster Hall was then fitted up, and they began by laying sleepers of yellow pine. The coronation was suspended for twelve months, and when the sleepers were taken up from the floor of Westminster Hall, they were in a rotten state.