216 
tanical Garden, and names a variety, hortense, found on the latter host. 
So far as I know, the plant has never been observed in this country either 
on linden or elm. It is possible that the intluence of the host may affect 
somewhat the growth of the plant, if these are all one species. This is a 
point that needs further investigation. 
The immense sporophore is a single season’s growth and it seems 
probable is produced very rapidly in the course of a few weeks in August 
and September, reaching maturity about the first of October. The form 
found on maple in the east has been observed to fruit several years in suc- 
cession, and Fries speaks ef the plant as growing annually on elm at Up- 
sala. The beech in Dr. Post’s yard two years later produced a small fun- 
gal growth, but too high up to be sure of its character, since which time 
no further growth has been observed. The tree on which the present 
growth was found gave no indications of any previous growths. Other 
observations lead me to believe that it is not usual for the beech fungus to 
fruit annually for a series of years. How long the mycelium lives in the 
tree is unknown. i 
The spores are produced in enormous numbers, but seemingly for only 
a few days. On my first visit to this plant, October 17, no spore fall was 
observed, but the matter was not especially tested. Two days later, on 
visiting the place, spores were observed rising from the mass in small 
clouds. These frequently streamed out from parts of the fungus like a 
puff of smoke for 10 or 15 seconds, then ceased and after two or three 
minutes began again. Such streams were emitted from different parts of 
the plant irregularly, so that from some part spores were escaping almost 
constantly. The day was pleasant and the air very quiet, yet occasionally 
a light puff of air passed over the plant. The streaming of the spores, 
however, appeared to be no more marked when the air stirred than when 
it was perfectly quiet. The plant was carefully removed from the tree, 
but being found too heavy to carry was left propped against the base where 
it had grown. Five days later the fungus was brought to the laboratory 
and found to be in good condition, but the outer edges of the pilei were 
beginning to darken and curl. Faint spore prints were obtained, but such 
as to indicate that spore discharge was practically over. Whether the re- 
moval of the plant from the tree shortened the time of spore discharge is 
not certain, but it is doubtful if the plant gives off its spores naturally for 
a period of more than a week or ten days. 
