I02 pnocKEnrxds of thk 



On the Stamens and tlie Seta? in the Scirperr. 

 By Mr. C. B. Clauke, M.A., F.R.S., F.L.S. 



[Bead 6th February, 1800.] 



(Abstract.) 



Mn. Clarke said that in a large number of the species of 

 Cyperarca^ allied to Scirpus the stamens were three. Authors 

 had hitherto depicted tliese opposite the three angles of the nut ; 

 and (in order to reduce the structure to the normnl type of 

 Monocotyledons) had supposed the inner wliorl of the three 

 stamens wholly suppressed. Mr. Clarice stated that in tliis set of 

 Seirpece the three stamens present were on the anterior face of 

 the nut; and he attemjjted to show that the middle one belonged 

 to the exterior, the two lateral to the interior wliorl of stamens. 

 Mr. Clarke then ])ut forward that where the setae exceeded six in 

 number, the additional seta? were the missing stamens. — In repl}', 

 Mr. Baker considered that the three stamens in Scirjyea; belonged 

 to the outer whorl, as Kunth and all authors since him had 

 maintained, tliat two were often displaced, and that j\Ir. Clarke 

 had entirely failed to prove his case. As to the explanation of 

 the setfe, Mr. Baker considered it very unlikely that any of the 

 setae were staminodes. 



On the Sclerotium of a Species of Polyporus. By Dr. Ed. 

 FisCHEE, of Zurich. (Communicated byG. Mureay, £8q.,E.L.S.) 



[Read 17th April, 1890.] 



For a long time mycologists have known of a number of large, 

 striking, tuber-like bodies, as to the nature of which, although 

 their structure is known, there has always been some uncertainty. 

 In most cases they are regarded as Sclerotia, but the fructification 

 belonging to them is unknown. Such are especially those objects 

 known as the Pietra funghaja, Tuber-regium, Mylitta, aiul 

 Pachyma Cocos. 



The fructifications of Hymcnomycetes have been observed in 

 connection with several of these bodies. For example, it seems 

 to be certain that the Pietia funghaja is simply the mycelium of 

 Polyporus tuherastcr mixed with earth"'. Again, the fructifications 

 of species of Lent inns have been found in association with Tuber- 

 regium, and on a case of this kind Mr. Murray laid before you 

 some years ago an interesting paper f. lu the case, however, of 

 the most remarkable of these bodies, 1 mean MyJi/ta and Pachyma 

 Cocos, no such observations have been made to my knowledge. 

 At Mr. Murray's suggestion, and as bearing upon his paper, I 

 may be permitted to submit to you to-night anotlier case, and to 



* See De Bary, ' Vergleichende Morphologie u. Biologic der Pilze,' 1884, p. 44. 

 t Transactions of the Linnean Society of London, 2nd ser. Botany, vol. ii. 

 part 11, Sept. 1880. 



