OF CERTAIN TERMITE NESTS. -I i 



the same way agarics cannot be made to grow from normal 

 combs under any conditions. 



The growth of agarics in the nest is a direct consequence of 

 the condition of the comb, and their appearance, above ground 

 depends partly on the humidity of the soil and partly on the 

 termites themselves. There is no doubt that a large number 

 are aborted in all cases : this is not from inability to penetrate 

 the ground, for one from each comb pushes through, and the 

 aborted specimens do not reach the roof of the cavity. A 

 comparatively slight rainfall is sufficient to favour their growth, 

 in striking contrast to the majority of tropical agarics whicli 

 only respond to a prolonged soaking of the soil. It is remark- 

 able that the termite agaric appears almost throughout the 

 year, even at times when no other species can be found. It is 

 therefore to some extent independent of the conditions which 

 control the growth of agarics in general. 



The following data relate to a few of its occurrences. It 

 must be remembered that several days' continuous rain is 

 necessary to produce even a few specimens of other agarics. 

 In the specially dry months, January and February, it has not 

 been observed. It has been found in March and August, 

 which have generally a small rainfall. No exhaustive search, 

 however, has been made, and therefore no conclusions can be 

 drawn from the absence of records for particular months. 

 1905 was an exceptionally dry year. In June-July, 1906, 

 the Pluteus form was abundant at Peradeniya. 



Peradeniya, May 23, 1905 .. Rainfall, 22nd, 1-85 in. 



17th-21st, 2-28 in. 

 Peradeniya, June 16, 1905 .. Rainfall, 14th-15th, nil; 



lst-14th, -95 in. 

 Peradeniya, July 6, 1905 .. Rainfall, 2nd-6th, nil ; 1st, 



02 in.; June, 15-26 in. 

 Peradeniya, Sept. 18-19, 1905 .. Rainfall, 10th-17th, 117 



in.; 1st- 10th, 4-94 in. 

 Peradeniya. Oct. 12, 1905 .. Rainfall, 11th, 4-5 in.; 



lst-llth, 7-98 in. 

 Peradeniya, Oct, 29, 1905 .. Rainfall, 19th-29th, nil; 



lst-18th, 15-93 in. 



