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XXV. Some Account ft the ee arin solidum of the Flora Vi 
~ ginica, the Lycoperdon cervinum of Walter. By James Mác- 
bride, M.D. of South Carolina. Communicated by the President. 
Read dine. S. 1817. 
T urs fungus is most frequently — up in lands w hich have not 
been clones: of their original wood more than three or four years, 
in the preparation for planting. It is found at various depths, 
from a féw inches to two feet, and is sometimes met with partly 
above ground. I have seen it in every variety of soil, except 
swampy ; but it is found in greatest abundance, and appears to 
attain to the greatest size, in loose rich, lands, the forest-trees of 
which were. different species of oak, Juglans alba, Linn., and 
Pinus Tada. It is very common in the southern states; but is 
rarely seen further north than Maryland. Its shape is irregular ; 
the largest specimens approach the globular form, or the cylin- 
drical with globular ends. I have seen a specimen which weighed 
fifteen pounds; and I am credibly informed a single tuber has 
weighed thirty or forty pounds. 
The common opinion entertained of this substance is, that it 
is the root of the Erythrina herbacea or Convoloulus panduratus, 
both of which bave large roots, and that of the latter penetrating 
the earth to a considerable depth. "The usual appeliation of it is 
Indian Potatoe or Indian Bread. It was used by the Indians as 
an article of food, as their name for it (Tuckahoe) is said to imply. 
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