56 Phystology of the Gyropodium coccineum. 
ae BOTANY. 
Oa 
= ag of the Gyropodium coccineum 3 by 
the Rev. Enwarp Hitcucock, 
‘Tur Gyropodium coccineum is a new genus and spe- 
cies of fungus recently established by the Rev. L. Schwei- 
nitz. I am not aware that it has been found any where 
sy aie ear Connecticut River in Massachusetts, where it 
tnoticed by Dr. Cooley, in Deerfield. That locality, 
however, was soon exhausted ; but in Oct. 1822, I found it in 
abundance in Whately, an adjoining town, and noticed with 
much interest its peculiar and striking physiology. As se- 
fi occurred, however, previous to that time, I 
thought it Aang there might be some deception in the 
case, ined to wait till I could re-examine the 
plant under different circumstances. But it was not till the 
resent year, (1824) that I was able again to visit the spot. 
gathered it this year in September, before the occur- 
rence of frosts ; and found all my former observations veri- 
fied, and was able to extend them still farther 
n the following remarks, it is not my intention, any far- 
ther than is necessary, to use botanical, but common Jan- 
guage.* For ifI mistake not, the facts are such as to in- 
terest, not only those acquainted with botanical phraseolo- 
gy, but likewise all, who love to trace the marks of divine 
wisdom in the works of creation. 
It is one singularity in this fungus, that it is composed 
almost entirely of a substance scarcely to be diesioenatee 
m common gelatine obtained from animals, Yas a Tan 
consistency from the softest jelly to quite hard glue. ‘The 
drawings accompanying this paper, represent the plant in 
its natural size. Its first appearance, on bursting from the 
soil, is given at A. It is then enclosed in a gelatinous en- 
: *If es ae has published a description of this fungus, T have 
not seen 
iantatiaineaih ia 
