Secrion IV., 1912. [73] Trans. R. $. C. 
On the Temporary Suspension of Vitality in the Fruit-Bodies of Certain 
Hymenomycetes. 
By A. H. REGINALD BULLER and A. T. CAMERON. 
(Read May 14, 1912). 
In 1909 Buller’ showed that the fruit-bodies of a large number of 
species of Hymenomycetes which grow on sticks and logs, can be dried 
up without any loss of vitality, and that the vitality of some species, 
after desiccation has taken place, may be continued for years. When 
the fruit-bodies are moistened once more, after a few hours spore, libera- 
tion recommences. Streams of spores are emitted for several days, and 
the spores liberated from the revived fruit-bodies are capable of germi- 
nation. Typical genera having fruit-bodies, the vitality of which will 
resist desiccation, are Corticium, Stereum, Daedälea, Polystictus, 
Lenzites, and Schizophyllum. 
It was also shown by further investigation? that dried fruit-bodies, 
exposed to the air, lose their vitality in the course of a few months or 
years in the same manner as the seeds of Flowering Plants. Thus 
Marasmius oreades recovered on moistening, after desiccation for six 
weeks, but not after three months. Lenzites betulina recovered after 
desiccation for three years, but not after five years. From some recent 
experiments, here recorded for the first time, Buller has found that 
dried fruit-bodies of Daedalea unicolor, exposed to air in the dark, can 
retain their vitality for at least seven and one-half years, and those of 
Schizophyllum commune for at least five years and seven months. The 
fungi recover much more slowly for each year their desiccation is pro- 
longed, whence it would appear that their vitality is becoming impaired ; 
doubtless in the course of a few years it will be lost altogether. It is 
well known that many seeds behave in a similar manner; the vigour 
with which they germinate decreases year by year as desiccation is 
continued, until life becomes extinct. 
The resemblance between the behaviour of seeds and the fruit- 
bodies of Hymenomycetes, in respect to the retention and the gradual 
loss of vitality in the desiccated condition, is sufficiently obvious. It 
has been shown by several investigators that many seeds retain their 

1 Buller, “Researches on Fungi,” Longmans, Green & Co., London, 1909, pp. 
105-111. 
2 Mosel, yoy, alalaly 
