1916] Gilkcij: A Revision of the Tube rules of CciUfornia 279 



versity of ]\Iichigaii, one from Professor F. Butters of the University 

 of ^Minnesota, and specimens of a Tuher collected by Professor 

 Gardner in Iowa. There has also been available for comparison Euro- 

 pean material received from Professors JMattirolo of Italy and Fischer 

 of Switzerland. Unfortunately, however, it lias been impossible to 

 examine types of European material, and all classifications bavc de- 

 pended of necessity upon published descriptions and illustrations. 



In preparation for study, alcoholic material was soaked in water 

 for some time, then sectioned by Professor Gardner's adaptation of 

 the Osterhout freezing method of cutting (Osterhout, 1896, p. 195). 

 Sections from 5 to 15/^ were made, those of IQjx being found in nearly 

 all cases most satisfactorv. Tbe material in formalin was similarlv 

 treated, but in every case was too soft to section successfully. The 

 only stain employed was Fuchsin S (Griiblers) in acidified alcohol, 

 which was sufficient clearly to contrast cell walls and contents. 



III. DISTRIBUTION IN CALIFORNIA 



Of the distribution of hypogaei in California much is yet to be 

 known, for though the field thus far covered by collectors is compara- 

 tively broad, the work done has necessarily been more or less desul- 

 tory. Dr. Harkness (1899, p. 242) ])ounds the region over which he 

 collected 



on the north by the California State line, on the south by the Tehachapi range, 

 by the sea-coast on the west, and the Valley of Donner lake upon the east — an 

 area exceeding 400 miles from north to south, and some 300 miles from east to 

 west, and within which are to be found the Coast Range mountains, with the 

 dense forests of Sequoias, and the Sierra Nevada mountains rising to an eleva- 

 tion of 8,000 feet. 



As to the seasons, he says (pp. 2-42-243) : 



Many species may be found soon after the first autumnal rains, especially if 

 the rain is followed by a period of sunshine and mo<lerate heat. If these con- 

 ditions continue during the entire rainy season, nuuli nmtorial may ])e col- 

 lected during the winters. The most proiluctive season, however, is that of 

 early spring, as it seldom fails during these months that there are warm rains 

 followed by sunny days. If, as it sometimes happens, there is an abundant 

 precipitation of moisture, good material may be found even late into the 

 spring. After the close of the rainy season, but little is to be found, unless it 

 be upon the banks of mountain rivulets, or in a few favored spots where there 

 exists sufficient moisture combined with a suitable soil. . . . The earliest date 

 at which we may hope to find Tubers (truffles, so-called) is about the first of 

 January. At this time the cell structure of the gleba is in a perfect state, but 



