THE PHALLOIDE^ OF CEYLON. 141 



Dictyophora is essentially a low-country species, extending up 

 to about 2,000 feet, while Aseroe rubra and Clathrus crispatus 

 have not been found below 4,000 feet. The last fact explains 

 why it has not been possible to provide photographs of these 

 species : they have been found only when visiting up-country 

 estates in the course of disease investigations when a camera 

 was not available. The omission will be remedied as soon as 

 possible. 



PHALLACEM. 



Genus 1. Mutinus Fries. 



Receptaculum tubular, cylindric, wall chambered orsimjile, 

 without a cap or net. Gleba covering the upper part of the 

 receptaculum when ripe. 



1. — Mutinus (Jansia) proximus (B. & Br.). 



Among the pam tings of phalloids in the Peradeniy a herbarium 

 is one marked " Phallus proximus, B. & Br. (Thwaites, 1 ,058.) 

 January 9, 1869." There is no reference to this number or 

 species in Berkeley and Broome's Fungi of Ceylon. Massee 

 (Grevillea, XIX., p. 94) has pubhshed a description, based on 

 the specimens m Berkeley's herbarium, under the name Mutinus 

 proximus. I have not seen this description, and therefore 

 cannot, say how the discrepancies in the reputed transcriptions 

 have originated. Fischer, quoting Massee, says, " Entire 

 fungus 3-5 mm. high : stem white (auf einer Skizze im londoner 

 Museum of nat. history ist aber der Stiel gelb), slender, wall 

 with a single layer of cavities, externally alveolate : sporiferous 

 portion about 4mm. long, subglobose, apex obtuse, imperforate, 

 orange-red, and covered with ohve mucus : spores colourless, 

 elhptic-oblono; 3X1/^: volva ample, springing from cord-like 

 white strands of mycelium : — on the ground, Peradeniya, 

 Ceylon." Saccardo says, "parte sporifera 4 cm. long.," 

 " Totus fungus 7-12 cm. alt." Saccardo's measurements are 

 nearer the truth, though they are too great in each case. As 

 far as the general description is concerned, it is wrong in 

 stating that the stalk is white, the head subglobose , imperforate , 

 and orange -red, and that the fungus grows on the ground. 



