34 Transactions British Mycological Society. 



dead fir wood. The globose sporangia have stalks i mm. high 

 or less, and capillitium closely resembling that of L. columhinum. 

 M. Meylan lays emphasis on the colour of the plasmodium 

 having been yellow, but as yellow plasmodium occurs sometimes 

 in L. columhinum, it may be found that L. Cruchetii is a form 

 of that species approaching var. brevipes. 



In conclusion the two varieties above referred to may be 

 defined as follows: 



var. brevipes. Sporangia globose ; stalks short, usually slender; 

 capilUtium of purplish threads, tubular and flattened below, 

 slender and forming an irregular network above. 



var. iridescens. Sporangia globose; stalks short or long; 

 capillitium lax, colourless. 



AN ALPINE FORM OF ANELLARIA SEPARATA. 



By Somervilh Hastings, M.S., F.R.C.S. 



Each region on the earth's surface has its own particular 

 flora, the characteristics of which appear to be determined to 

 a large extent by the physical conditions present. Flowering 

 plants growing at high altitudes, have generally the following 

 characteristics : 



(i) They are stunted and dwarfed. Trees are rarely found 

 in Switzerland above 7000 feet. The alpine willow for instance, 

 creeps over the rocks and is rarely more than a few inches high. 

 (2) Perennials are relatively more numerous at high alti- 

 tudes than in the plains. Owing to the shortness of the alpine 

 season, the plants tend to produce their flowers directly the 

 snow melts; flowers of the Crocus and Snowbell are actually 

 seen piercing the snow. 



It is also interesting to note that, 



(3) When a species which grows in the plains is found in the 

 Alps also, its flowers tend to be both brighter in colour and 

 larger in size at the high altitude. Professor G. Bonnier was 

 able to produce these changes experimentally by transplanting 

 lowland plants to high mountains. 



During the first three weeks in June, 1922, the writer was 

 collecting plants round Grindelwald, Switzerland. To the south, 

 east, and west of this village are alps or mountain pastures 

 where cows are taken to feed during the summer months. The 

 season was late and no cattle had yet reached these pastures. 

 Already, however, a good many fungi had appeared and it 



