217 
According to Buller, visible spore-discharge in the hymenomycetes Is a 
rare phenomencn, and he cites the observations of Hoffman, Hammer, and 
von Schrenk. My own observation on Steccherinum septentrionale con- 
form to Von Schrenk’s description of the spore-discharge in Polyporus 
schweinitzii. Buller accounts for the intermittent clouds by tiny irregular 
air currents, and thinks the spores were in reality “falling continuously 
and regularly by their own weight.” In the case of his own observation on 
Polyporus squomosus this view appears to be confirmed, and he likens the 
appearance to the steam arising from a cup of tea in irregular eddies or the 
curling of tobacco smoke from the bowl of a pipe. Had he observed the 
discharge in Steceherinum septentrionale I believe he would not have felt 
so confident of his explanation. The cloud-like discharge was more as the 
eurling smoke of the tobacco when one breathes at intervals through the 
pipe. I doubt if the discharge is due to any propelling force as hinted by 
Von Sechrenk, but it seems to me probable that over certain restricted areas 
there is a simultaneous liberation of great quantities of spores followed by 
a period uf rest. That such intermittent spore release occurs in all hy- 
menomycectes is improbable, but it seems to account for the phenomenon 
as observed in Steccherinum septentrionale and Polyporus schiweiniteii. 
Whether the present fungus is to be regarded as an edible species can 
not be stated. No one appears te have tested its qualities. It would prob- 
ably be found somewhat tough, especially when mature, but not more so 
than many forms that are recommended. In drying it gives off a very 
strong odor which would lead one to expect it to have a pronounced flavor. 
The taste of the raw plant is not inviting, and yet not particularly of- 
fensive. If any preparation of it would make it really comestible, a single 
plant is sufficient to furnish an abundant feast. 
The plant is not rare and yet cannot be said to be common. It ap- 
pears to be most abundant in Indiana and Ohio, perhaps because of the 
prevalence of the beech in this region. When the writer came to Indiana 
six years ago, he had not been in the State more than a couple of weeks 
when his attention was called by one of his students to the specimen 
previously mentioned in Dr. Post’s yard. As there were three or four dried 
specimens observed lying about the laboratory, the impression was given 
that specimens could probably be readily obtained almost any time in 
season. Being at the time unusually busy organizing a new work, the 
opportunity for study of the plant was allowed to pass with a casual ex- 
