IN THE WOODS 



distance from the point of departure. Then, at a 

 favorable moment, they produce little swellings 

 which grow under ground, become mushrooms, and 

 burst open their bed of earth to expand in the air. 

 This structure explains to us why mushrooms grow 

 in groups. Each group, with the mycelium that 

 produces it, constitutes one and the same plant/' 



"I have seen groups of mushrooms in a perfect 

 circle," Claire remarked. 



44 If the ground is of uniform character and no- 

 wlu're hinders the propagation of the subterranean 

 vegetable in one direction rather than in another, 

 the mycelium spreads equally on all sides, and so 

 produces circular groups of mushrooms, which the 

 country people sometimes call witches' circles. " 



"Why witches' circles?" asked Jules. 



4 'The ignorant and superstitious think they see an 

 effect of witchcraft in this curious circular arrange- 

 ment, whereas it is but the natural result of the 

 uniformly equal development of the subterranean 

 plant." 



"Then there are no witches?" said Emile. 



Xo, my dear. There are rogues who abuse the 

 credulity of others ; there are simpletons disposed to 

 listen to them; but no one has preternatural pow- 

 ers." 



"Since a mushroom is the blossom of a subterra- 

 nean plant, of the mycelium, as you call it, must it not 

 have stamens, pistils ovaries?" .Jules inquired. 



"A mushroom is in its way the blossom of a kind 

 nf vcLrctahle. hut it- Mnietmv has nothing in com- 

 mon with that of ordinary flowers. It is a struc- 



