446 



" Look for years to come, and still the place is seen," 



savs Clare, the rural poet, who doubtless had them often under his 

 view ; but they die away at last ; and Dr. Badham notices the rings 

 formed by A. Prunulus as "breaking up into irregular lines." Further 

 and closer observations, however, are required on this point, for I 

 have noticed circles of A. oreades to be very persistent for years, 

 although there may be a superficial extension of the verdure of the 

 grass in their vicinity. 



From an attention to the subject for some time, I am inclined to 

 question very much the theory of the concentric extension of these 

 agaric-rings from pre-existing smaller ones, whether above or below 

 the soil. The imaginary vei-y small rings, marking the first supposed 

 impulsive process, I have never been able to meet with ; and I believe 

 that the ordinary circles, commonly known as "fairy-rings," whatever 

 may be the modus operandi, appear at once in full dimensions, fresh 

 to the morning light, almost as rapid in their formation as the mush- 

 room itself. This would agree with the popular superstition, which 

 supposes the sudden appearance of worn, "sour ringlets" where none 

 were seen before. Edwin Lees. 



Henwick, near Worcester, 

 December 13, 1851. 



Boletus parasitic upon a Lycoperdon. By James Bladon, Esq. 



In 1848, whilst botanizing in a wood near this town, I met with a 



Boletus and a puff-ball [Lycoperdon ?) growing close together. 



On stooping to examine them, to my surprise I found them fast toge- 

 ther. The stem of the Boletus did not quite reach the earth, but the 

 lower end was turned obliquely, and was rooted to what may be termed 

 the neck of the puff-ball. The conjunction of the two was sufficiently 

 firm to bear carrying home, and afterwards making a section of in 

 situ. As I was making a second incision, for the purpose of cutting 

 a slice for a preserved specimen, they then separated. The expanded 

 pileus was about an inch and a half in diameter, and the Lycoperdon 

 about the same size. There was a small indenture on the side of the 

 head where the stem of the Boletus pressed against it. I found two 

 other pairs of specimens, in the same state, the same morning. 



James Bladon. 

 Pont-y-Pool, December, 1851. 



