22 THE AMERICAN BOTANIST. 



Fern Mycorhizas. — There is a growing list of plants 

 known to botanists in which the older parts of the root are in- 

 habited by threads of fungi which act like root hairs in secur- 

 ing food materials for the plant. Such associations are known 

 as mycorhizas and are quite common among the heaths, coni- 

 fers, orchids and many others. Among the true ferns, how- 

 ever, at least among the Polypodiaceae, mycorhizas have until 

 recently been unknown, though it is possible that they will be 

 found to be not uncommon when the roots are more ex- 

 tensively studied. At present the only member of the Poly- 

 podiaceae known to have mycorhizas is the boulder fern 

 (Dicksonia pilosiuscnla) , although a species of Cyathea has 

 been reported in a rather indefinite way as possessing them. 

 — Fej'ii Bulletin. 



Wooden Flowers. — This morning a friend of mine sent 

 me a copy of your number 79, November, 1908, vol. 14, No. 

 4., marking your article on page 115 : "Wooden flowers." He 

 sent it to me, because I have been living in Guatemala for 31 

 years, and have been occupied in botanical work. Permit me 

 a few words (if the article has not been rectified by anybody 

 previously). The wooden flower exists. I am willing to fur- 

 nish samples of it. I have none now on hand, but can procure 

 them from Guatemala. Only it is not a flozccr, but Gallen- 

 bildung (I cannot remember now the English word), as far 

 I can judge, caused by the sting of an insect — may be a fungus, 

 but I rather think insect. The description, locality etc. in your 

 article page 115 is quite correct. Generally the "roses" are 

 4-5 inches in diameter, but exceptionally beautiful specimens 

 reach the 12 inches mentioned. I never have collected it my- 

 self, but it is to be bought, for a few cents, from indians, com- 

 ing from the Volcanoes, in the streets of Guatemala. — H. von 

 Turckheim, Bachstr, 40. Karlsruhe, Baden. [We are much 

 obliged to our correspondent for explaining the reference to 

 wooden flowers, and thus verifying our implied denial that 



