Additions and Corrections 323 



very much interested in your note on the audible spore discharge. There is 

 another character in this plant which is very conspicuous and which I think 

 no one has mentioned. This is the peculiar swelling of the cells of the paraph- 

 yses below the tips. They become almost globose and closely resemble the 

 cells of monilioid conidia. This swelling, of course, serves the purpose of 

 turning the plant inside out in order that the hymenium may be more com- 

 pletely exposed. While the paraphyses are often swollen I have never seen 

 an\thing approaching this condition. I suspect in the \oung plants the 

 paraphyses are filiform but, imff)rtunatel\', I did not have any very young 

 plants from which to stud\- them. Wish \ou would check up on this. 



I have succeeded in getting an excellent photograph and will add this 

 drawing in order to make a supplementary' plate for the operculate cup-fungi. 

 If this material is abundant I would be glad to have dried specimens enough 

 for distribution. I have never seen it except from Texas. Please give my 

 regards to Dr. McAllister. Again thanking you, I am 



Very sincereK' \ours. 



Signed — Frkd J. .Seaver 



January 12, \<)M. 

 Dr. Fred J. Se.wer 

 New York Botanical Garden 

 New York City. 



Dear Dr. Seaver: 



It is gratifying that the package of fresh Urnula Geaster reached you in 

 good condition. A package of dry material went forward a few days ago. 

 This species is abundant on favorable \ears around Austin. This year was 

 not as good as many due to the fact that when we finally had moist weather 

 it was also cold. 



I have been unable to find so late in the season any specimens in which 

 the paraphyses are not somewhat swollen. This is probably due to the fact 

 that considerable pressure tending toward expansion develops early. I wonder 

 if these cells do not branch as well as swell during the period just preceding 

 maturity. I will make observations earlier next ^ear. 



The fungus is attached to the roots of oak and elm but not to cedar. 

 I have found none on the roots of living trees. Often the course of a long 

 root under ground can be followed by the Urnula. 



There appears to be a thin spot at the end of each ascus and I assume 

 that it is here that the first discharge break occurs. I have been surprised 

 to see that spore discharge seems to be initiated by either a fall or an increase 

 in humidit}'. 



Several prints are inclosed. All were made here this fall and can probably 

 be improved next year with the present experience. I am very curious to 

 learn whether or not all the asci of a given limited area discharge simultane- 

 ously. The discharge occurs from a limited number of comparatively small 

 areas and I can see no relation of the position of these to age. 



Very sincerely, 



Signed — G. W. Goldsmith 



