ise ] 
BRIEFER AKIICLEsS. 
CRATERELLUS TAXOPHILUS, A NEW SPECIES OF 
THELEPHORACEAE. 
WuiLe collecting fungi on the steep bank of Fall Creek within the 
- Cornell University campus on October 19, 1903, I found several speci- 
. 
mens of a delicate fungus growing upon moist and very rotten leaves 
and twigs. Returning the next day, I found a considerable number of 
specimens from which a photograph (ig. 7) was obtained, natural size. 
Careful examination of the locality showed that the specimens were 
found only under or near the prostrate branches of Zaxus canadensis. 
Continued search in all directions justified the conclusion that the 
fungus must depend in some manner upon the Taxus. Specimens 
were found under isolated Taxus plants far up the same bank, and 
_ later on the opposite side and half a mile farther up stream. In this 
second station also no plants were found except under Taxus branches. 
It then became desirable to determine, where possible, the leaves and 
twigs upon which the fungus had been found. The material was sub- 
mitted to Mr. F. W. Foxworthy, and it was definitely determined that 
specimens grew on the leaves and twigs of deciduous trees as well as of 
Taxus and probably also of Tsuga. It is probable, therefore, that the 
fungus depends upon the prostrate branches of the yew for the shade 
and conservation of moisture which enable the delicate fleshy fruit 
bodies to develop. However, careful examination of the same bank 
where other plants furnished similarly moist conditions failed to dis- 
close any specimens. It would seem, then, that the association of the 
fungus with the yew is very intimate, if not essential. It has not yet 
been possible to extend the search for this form into other localities 
where similar conditions prevail. No range, therefore, can be given. 
In this one locality at least one hundred and fifty specimens have been 
found and studied between October 19 and November 20. 
Once seen, there is no great difficulty in finding the plants by close 
observation of the open places between the branches of yew. The 
most successful plan, though, is to raise the branches from the 
ground. The Craterellus, if present, is then conspicuous by its pure 
white color against the dark background of moldy leaves and twigs. 
1904 ] 215 
