1903] Silsbee, — Volvaria volvacea in Lawrence, Mass. 3 



state for fifty years, when it was found in Newfane. Since then it 

 has been reported in several other places, but is still very rare. It 

 was found quite plentiful in Newfane three years ago. Last year 

 there were only a few plants, and this summer I have been unable to 

 find one. I wish you would watch your station and see if you have 

 the same experience with it." The observers at this station were 

 Mr. Howe and Dr. A. J. Grout, whose homes were in that town. 



Aug. 16, 1899, the day following that on which Mr. Harvey found it 

 in Maine, the writer found a single plant in a rotten stump in West- 

 minster, about ten miles east of Newfane. On Aug. 24 and on sub- 

 sequent clays, I found it quite abundant in a small wood-lot in 

 Putney, less than a quarter of a mile from the first station. It grew 

 in little hollows, the white, oblong tubers being in rotten wood or 

 decayed leaves. Enough plants were found to have furnished speci- 

 mens for all the botanists in New England, but of the few saved, 

 most were thrown away, as they did not dry well, and it was planned 

 to make careful collections the next year. Last year, however, and 

 this, vain search has been made for this plant in the hollows where it 

 was so plenty in 1899. 



Reports from other stations are desirable. Does it thus disappear 

 wherever found ? Has anyone ever carefully studied it ? It seems 

 to need very careful marking if it appears but once in a generation or 

 two of "mortal men." Let those who find it spread the good news 

 and make the most of their discoveries. It seems to be a case of 

 "now or never." Efforts at artificial propagation might be success- 

 ful in the hands of those who are skillful in the handling of bulbs. — 

 W. H. Blanchard, Westminster, Vermont. 



VOLVARIA VOLVACEA IN LAWRENCE, MASSACHUSETTS. 

 Francis H. Silsbee. 



On August 5, 1 90 1, a friend brought to me some specimens of 

 fungi which were readily identified from the conspicuous volva, 

 pinkish or salmon-colored gills, and absence of collar, as belonging 

 to the genus Volvaria. A visit to the place where they were found 

 revealed a large bed of them. In a dumping ground belonging to 

 the Pacific Mills, Lawrence, a large amount of soiled cop and roving 



