PHALLOIDE^ OF CEYLON. 19 



The interesting part about this variation is that the almost 

 smooth disc with low wavy ridges occurs in specimens in 

 which the arms are quite separate, i.e., Aseroe rubra zeylanica, 

 while the irregular disc occurs in specimens in which the arms 

 are distinctly paired, i.e., in Aseroe rubra typica. (These 

 names were unfortunately interchanged on p. 182 of the 

 previous paper. Fig. 12, as cited above, illustrates the disc 

 of Aseroe rubra zeylanica.) It might be supposed that the 

 grouping of the arms in pairs, especially as a pair may be fused 

 almost to the tip, is a case of imperfect development ; and 

 that the abnormal and irregular structure of the ridges whicli 

 underlie the gleba is due to the persistence of parts which 

 would normally disappear during the ripening of the latter. 



The photographs of Aseroe rubra reproduced herewith were 

 taken on an ordinary plate, and therefore fail to bring out the 

 difference in tone between the gleba and the remainder of the 

 fungus. Prof. C. Bernard's photograph, reproduced by C. G. 

 Lloyd in " Synopsis of the Known Phalloids," vsliows this 

 difference admirably. But I have thought it worth while to 

 publish them, since they show the somewhat saucer-shaped 

 outline of the disc and arms, and the fact that the arms 

 when first expanded are straight, not curled up at the tip. This 

 specimen was developed from the egg, under a bell glass ; the 

 arms were quite straight at first, but curling began while the 

 camera was being set up. It will be noted that the arms are 

 in pairs, and that one pair is united almost to the tip. 



Protubera maracuja Moller. 



A species of Protubera is not uncommon in belts of Acacia 

 decurrens, and sometimes also in the jungle, at Hakgala 

 (5,600 ft.). It was very common in spinneys of Acacia at 

 Nuwara Ehya (6,200 ft.) in September, 1908. It differs in a 

 few minor details from the description of Protubera maracuja, 

 but it is evidently the same as Moller' s species. 



The " eggs " occur in clusters, sometimes in large rings. 

 They are usually half-embedded in the earth and dead leaves, 

 but sometimes lie entirely on the surface. In one instance, 

 the mycelium had spread over a dead log and had produced 

 the eggs at a beight of about a foot from the ground. In shape 



