BOT.-VOL. I.] ffARICNESS— CALIFORNIA N HYPOG^I. 243 



A few tubers are to be found in the high Sierras at an 

 elevation of 7,000 feet or more; these are generally located 

 at or near the base of Pinus contorta, and occasionally 

 beneath other species of Coniferae. So far as my observa- 

 tions extend, this section can be relied upon for specimens 

 only in the late spring, as the snow generally falls too early 

 in the autumn to allow of their development. 



At a lower elevation — 3,000 or 4,000 feet — we find the 

 oaks, under which, at the proper season, good material may 

 be obtained. At these elevations the banks of the streams 

 may yield material as late as July. In the foot-hills, at an 

 elevation of from 1,400 to 1,500 feet, we find the best local- 

 ities for the greatest number of species, which are here 

 most prolific. 



Upon well drained hillsides, in sandy soil, a variety of 

 Ceanothus is found growing in dense clusters and averag- 

 ing about seven feet in height. When protected from fire, 

 we find beneath these shrubs a large accumulation of decay- 

 ing foliage which serves to fertilize and protect the fungi 

 found here. 



Upon the plains the Eucalyptus tree has been cultivated 

 to a large extent, and here a few varieties of fungi may be 

 found. It may be broadly asserted that but seldom are 

 species to be found in localities where grass or weeds are 

 seen, as the roots of these plants seems to be inimical to the 

 development of the tubers. Neither are they to be found 

 in places where water accumulates or remains for a length 

 of time upon the surface. 



The earliest date at which we may hope to find tubers 

 (truffles so-called) is about the first of January. At this 

 time the cell-structure of the gleba is in a perfect state but 

 is still destitute of asci or spores, which makes the identifi- 

 cation of species impossible. So far as I have seen, the 

 spore does not arrive at maturity until April; much, how- 

 ever, depends upon the weather. In any event, the tuber 

 is of slower growth than many others of this class of fungi. 

 The genus Tuher is widely distributed throughout California 

 but is exceedingly scanty in numbers. 



