SLUGS AND HYMEXOMYCETES 



229 



production of a mycelium. It seems not at all impossible, for 

 instance, that the spores of a species of Russula or Lactarius might 

 be carried several miles from one wood to another, and that after 

 settling they might be eaten with other vegetation by slugs : the 

 spores might then germinate in the fieces of these animals, and 

 the mycelium thus produced might make its way into the 

 vegetable mould of the forest floor. 



The fruit-bodies of certain species of Hymenomycetes appear 

 to be protected from destruction by slugs owing to the presence 

 in their cells of nauseous or distasteful substances. In the 

 summer of 1904 I began to investigate the relations of slugs 

 to fungi, but unfortunately, owing to my removal to Winnipeg, 

 the work was interrupted, and I have not found opportunity up 

 to the present to resume it. Such results as were obtained five 

 years ago are embodied in the accompanying Table. The obser- 

 vations on Omphalia, Hypholoma, and Cantharellus were kindly 

 made for me by Miss J. S. Bayliss. Before each test the slugs 

 were starved for about two days. 



Slwj^ and Hymenomycetes 



E = fruit-bodies readily eaten ; 



S = fruit-bodies slightly eaten and evidently disliked ; 



N = fruit-bodies not eaten at all, so far as could be seen, the slugs preferring 



starvation to feeding ; 

 — = no experiment. 



