REVLSIONS OF CEYLON FUNGI. 283 



merely a sterile sclerotium, basing that opinion upon the 

 herbarium specimens at Peradeniya, and numerous fresh 

 collections of what appeared to be the same species. Recently 

 von Hohnel has pointed out that the co-type at Kew is not a 

 sterile sclerotium, but is identical with Sphcerocreas javanicum 

 V. Hohnel, and Xevx)myces ochraceus Ces., and co-generic with 

 Ackermannia Pat. A re-examination of the Peradeniya speci- 

 mens has confirmed von Hohnel's identification. Apparently 

 the gathering contained at least one sterile sclerotium, and 

 that chanced to be examined on the previous occasion. The 

 remainder, though similar in size, appearance, and habit, 

 prove on microscopic examination to be identical with the 

 Kew specimens. 



92. — Helicoma binale B. & C. 



This species, although assigned to Berkeley and Curtis, was 

 published in the Fungi of Ceylon by Berkeley and Broome. 

 It was said to occur " with Reticular ia fuUgitiosa No. 247." 

 Reticularia fuliginosa was attributed to Berkeley and Broome, 

 and was said to grow on the leaves of some palm. Unfor- 

 tunately the tj'pe specimen of Reticularia fuliginosa appears 

 to have been lost ; it is not in the Kew or British Museum 

 Herbarium ; and Lister (Mon., p. 161) stated that he did not 

 meet with it in the herbaria of Paris, Leyden, Strasburg, &c. 

 It was hoped to find it under Helicoma binale, but the t^^e 

 specimens of the latter at Kew are all from South CaroUna, on 

 Liquidambar, Curtis, No. 1775, and the British Museum 

 specimens are from the same locality. This Curtis's number, 

 however, provided the type of Helicoma Berkeleii Curt. 

 (Grevillea, Vol. III., p. 106), to the description of which 

 Berkeley added the note; " These were sent out as Helicoma 

 binale and its variety apertum, but were pubHshed by Curtis 

 under the above name." Apparently Berkeley intended to 

 convey the idea that the two names referred to the same 

 species, a fact which may also be surmised from the reference 

 of Helicoma binale to Berk, and Curtis. But the descriptions 

 are so brief that, in the absence of the Ceylon specimen, no 

 comparison c^n be made. 



