TUCKAHOE, OR INDIAN BREAD. 697 



root into their own substance, which forms underneatli the bark. It may 

 also, by stimulating the flow of sap to this point, receive accretions by 

 assimilating the sap, and the periodic gi\ingoff of spores may continue 

 to excite the deposition of sap at this point. It gradually grows in this 

 manner, appropriating the bark of the root for its own covering until it 

 becomes too large, during which process it forms a bark of its own, as 

 already described. 



Every link of the above theory is indisputable except the production 

 and transmission of spores. About this there is a shadow of doubt — a 

 shadow only — because the microscope reveals a mycelium, and spore. 

 Specimens in all stages of development are in my possession, from the 

 root, with only a film of tbe substance between the bark and the woody 

 part of the root up, to pieces of 6 inches in diameter. In the smallest 

 the original bark surrounds the whole, and continues to do so until it 

 attains a thickness of an inch or more. In the largest specimens will bo 

 found the root still passing clear through the substance of tbe Pachyma, 

 or scars at both ends marking its previous attachment. The root within 

 the Pachyma is always smaller than that just without. 



From this fact, as well as the total disappearance of the root in some 

 pieces, we are safe in saying that the wood of the root has been con- 

 verted into the substance of the Pachyma. By way of confirmation, 

 extracts from a few letters will be given : 



"At the close of the past winter, having occasion to build a new gar- 

 den, in land that had never been cleared, we dug and plowed up several 

 pieces of it, some in advanced state of growth, while others had just 

 commenced growing. Several small pines had died on this spot four or 

 five years ago. This growth had taken place from the roots of these 

 pines, as was evident from some having just commenced growing, the 

 pine root extending through and reaching out at each side. - - - Others 

 were developed to considerable size, showing no appearance of any root 

 in them or any bark of the pine on the outside, as was the case with 

 the smaller ones. - - - I think the whole root for 2 inches or more is 

 changed into this substance, from the fact that some of the roots ex- 

 tended entirely through it, some of them being small inside and larger 

 outside." — (Jonathan Stewart, Barnesville, Ga., June 21, 1880.) 



"In almost every case I have observed they have been i)lainly at- 

 tached to a root of another growth. I have no doubt they have been, at 

 some time, in every case. This root is usually about one half or three- 

 quarters of an inch in diameter outside the tuber, frequently larger ; 

 sometimes runs directly through the center of it, sometimes nearer oue 

 side than the other. This root is always free from bark inside the tuber, 

 and is often diminished to a slender stick or single fiber, and is some- 

 times imperceptible, having the appearance of being, eaten away more 

 or less, or entirely, in the process of formation." — (Edwd. Bull, Wood- 

 bridge, N. C, April 21, 1880.) 



