218 Fangi. 



ral coolness of the atmosphere. It was also observed that 

 the spores were not shed in a very low temperature. 

 Several specimens were placed upon paper for the purpose 

 of collecting their spores and put aside in a cool room. 

 They remained two or three days without giving any signs 

 of fertility, but the weather becoming warmer, these same 

 plants yielded a copious supply of spores. 



The small species, parasitic upon the leaves and tissues 

 of living plants seem to be less dependent upon the moisture 

 of the atmosphere for their growth as they derive a part of 

 their nourishment from the plant they inhabit. 



The rapid growth and short continuance of some species 

 has given rise to a proverbial expression signifying sudden 

 development and speedy termination and decay. It is true 

 that some species, and especially some Coprini spring up in 

 a night and wither in a day, but more require a longer 

 period for their growth. Some continue a great part of 

 the season and a few tough species of Pobjporus are peren- 

 nial. It has already been stated that most Fungi are of 

 small size. Occasionally specimens are found compara- 

 tively large. I have seen specimens of Polyporus lucidus 

 more than a foot in diameter and weighing nearly two 

 pounds. An individual of some unknown species, probably a 

 J'u/j/porus, was reported to me from the Lake Superior region 

 to be three feet in diameter. An oblong or kidney-shaped 

 puff-ball which I have not yet been fortunate enough to find, 

 has been reported to me two or three times and is said to be 

 from eighteen inches to two feet in length. Another puff- 

 ball, Lycoperdon giganteum, attains a diameter of five or six 

 inches, or even more. The liver Fungus, ffistulim hepaiica, 

 is said to grow sometimes sufficiently large to furnish four 

 or five men with a dinner from a single plant. It is even 

 affirmed that it sometimes attains a weight of thirty pounds. 



The odor of many species of Fungi is not very decided, 

 still there are some species in which it is very distinct ; in 



