ZOOLOGY AND BOTANY, MICROSCOPY, ETC. 609 



Distinction between Coniothyrium pirinum and Phyllosticta 

 pirina.* — The latter fungus was discovered and described by Saccardo 

 and the spores given as constantly hyaline. Later, Sheldon found a 

 species of Coniothyrium, distinguished by the constantly dark-coloured 

 spores, and insisted that it was a mature stage of the Phyllosticta. Elisa 

 Mutto and Gino Pollacci have gone into the subject and have examined 

 specimens of both fungi. They find that there are two distinct species, 

 but that Coniothyrium pirinum corresponds with a previously described 

 species C. tirolense. Both fungi are parasitic on the leaves of Pirns 

 communis. 



American Basidiomycetes.f — W. A. Murrill now publishes " Illus- 

 trations of Fungi," xxii. The page of coloured figures includes ten 

 different fungi, Russulse, Cortinarii and others ; most of them are 

 found in Britain as well as in America. 



Murrill $ also gives an account of the genus Clitocybe in America, 

 many of the species being also European. He divides the genus 

 into several, which are distinguished by spore and pileus characters. 

 Most of them have been collected in New York State. Some species 

 are new to science. To all of them are appended notes as to habitat 

 and general appearance. 



Synopsis of PolyporusJ— C. G. Lloyd has issued a comprehensive 

 account of the Apvs section of this genus. He gives a historical account 

 of the species which, at first, were classified as Boleti. He then gives an 

 arrangement of the species, with notes of their distinctive characters, 

 history, and distribution. Several divisions are recognized, with hyaline 

 spores and with coloured spores, as also divisions depending on the 

 colour of the pores and the texture of the pileus. These are again 

 divided into sections distinguished by the characters of the pileus. The 

 pamphlet is well illustrated with seventy-six photographic prints. 



Woodland Fungi. || — Carleton Kea gives an account of the plant 

 associations that affect the growth of the larger fungi. Woods are 

 mainly of two kinds, deciduous and coniferous, and the latter are 

 especially favourable to the growth of Boletus and of Rydnum and species 

 of Russula. Oak, beech, and birch woods have each their distinctive 

 fungus flora, though many species are common to all. Fungi that are 

 true parasites are confined to definite trees. There are also certain 

 fungi that are found generally on pastures or lawns, such as the Hygro- 

 phori, and there is a characteristic flora of burnt places and charcoal 

 heaps. Bea has given descriptive lists of many of the species found in 

 these varying habitats. 



Homology of the " Universal Veil " in Agaricus.f — G. F. Atkin- 

 son finds that in Agaricus aroensis, A. campestris, and A. comtulus the 



* Atti Reale Accad. Lincei, cccxii. (1915) pp. 40-2. 

 t Mycologia, vii. (1915) pp. 221-6 (1 col. pi.). 

 X Mycologia, vii. (1915) pp. 227-83. 

 § Cincinnati, Ohio (June, 1915) pp. 291-392. 

 || Trans. Worcester Nat. Club, 1914 (1915) pp. 103-11. 

 H Mycol. Centralbl., v. (1914) pp. 13-19 (3 pis.). 



