BOTANICAL GAZETTE. 210 



In the closing pages an account is given of some experimental 

 cultures undertaken with the design of tracing, if possible, the connec- 

 tion between the species of Gy/zinospofangium and Rcestelia. Concern- 

 ing the results of the experiments the author says, ''Whether we con- 

 sider the distribution of our species or the results of the cultures made, 

 there is nothing to confirm the views of (Ersted as to the connection of 

 particular species." In another place he also says, in reference to this 

 subject, "Much more work remains to be done in this country, * * 

 more extended and accurate knowledge of the distribution of our 

 species is to be desired, and many more cultures must be made." ''If 

 it should be shown that severdl of our Rcestelia are perennial, a fact 

 true with regard to most of our Gymiiosporaugia, and to grow in re- 

 gions remote from species of Jiiiiipenis and Cupressus, then one could 

 not help feeling that any connection between the two genera was prob- 

 ably accidental rather than genetic." 



It is to be hoped that Prof Farlow will continue this investigation 

 until the number, identity and distribution of our species shall be satis- 

 factorily ascertained and the supposed connection between the Gym- 

 nosporangia and RcestelicB shall be shown to be either real or imaginary. 

 — Chas. H. Peck. 



Maryland Fimji*i. 11.— On the fir«t of August I fled from the 

 tropical heat of Baltimore, but I confess that my flight had more than 

 fresh air for its object. A ramble among the hills and the mountains 

 of Maryland, offered as inducements a more extensive field for col- , 

 lecting. and a further knowledge of the geographical distribution of 

 fungi. In the northwestern counties of this state, I found matters 

 pretty much in the same condition as in Baltimore county. A very 

 intelligent countryman with whom I conversed told me that he had 

 rarely known such a poor season in the wav of fungi. Only a ^q\w 

 plants were to be met with even in the most favorable localities. But 

 this state of things was not to last long. The third week in August 

 brought a profusion and for three weeks the cryptogamic flora of 

 Maryland was resplendent with beauty. Every lawn, flower garden 

 and woods contributed its full share and the most avaricious collector 

 could feel that his lot had fallen upon fair ground. Wherever I jour- 

 neyed, "frog stools," so-called, seemed to become quite the fashion; 

 though in some sections it was impossible not to perceive that I was 

 considered "just a little Quixotic," as I heard some one say in a sly 

 way. But for all this I received daily contributions from kind friends 

 who were as might be expected forgetful of classification, and sent 

 pilei without stipes and stipes minus the base. In this way I lost sev- 

 eral beautiful Agarics that were new to me and which I never again 

 met with. 



At one stopping place I met with three very bright little boys. 

 When I asked them if they knew anything about "froc stools" they 

 replied : "Oh, yes, they knew all about them " I engaged them to 

 come to the hotel the next morning and conduct me to, as they called 

 it, ''a grand place for frog-stools." I suppose they wished to assure 

 me of their truthfulness as well as to earn a little money, for they went 

 out early next morning, collected a quantity of fungi, and presented 

 themselves at the door of the hotel saying : "We want to see that frog- 

 stool lady that stays here." Luckily I was in the hall when I heard 



