note page 295) and is a very similar plant to Clathrus gracilis of Aus- 

 tralia. It is not confined to Xew Zealand. Specimens are in the 

 museum at Paris from Chile and at the British Museum from Chiloe (an 

 island off the coast of Chile) which in all respects agree with the .\\-\v 

 Zealand plant. It is also reported from South Africa. 



FORM FROM BRAZIL. At the British Museum there is a specimen col- 

 lected by G. A. Ramage. Pernambuco, Brazil, which is certainly a distinct form 

 if not specifically distinct. It has the general appearance of Clathrus cibarius, but 

 the arms of the upper meshes are narrower than those of the lower and the 

 latter are somewhat columnar so that the lower meshes are elongated. 



CLATHRUS CANCELLATUS (Plate 92). We can not hope- 

 in an uncolored plate to do justice to Clathrus cancellatus. It is a most 

 gorgeously bright, red plant and must he reproduced in color to give 

 a good idea of it. Fortunately colored plates are not rare. Cooke, 

 Barla, I Milliard, Mrs. Hussey, and others perhaps that we do not now 

 recall, have all given excellent plates of it. The plant can not fail to 

 be recognized from our plate even though uncolored as it is as striking 

 in shape as in color. We feel that no description is necessary, but will 

 mention that it has the reputation of being among the most fetid f 

 phalloids. Its odor is so strong that Mrs. Hussey states it was with 

 difficulty that she managed to complete the drawing of it. The odor of 

 phalloids has been compared to rotten fruit, carrion, etc., but we think 

 Sowerby has it nearly right when he states that the "smell is peculiar 

 to itself/' 



DISTRIBUTION. This plant is frequent in the "Midi" and "Bretagne" of 

 France, in Italy and southern Europe in general. 12 Also in the islands of the 

 Mediterranean and northern countries of Africa. It does not occur in France 

 as far north as Paris, but is found on the Isle of Wight and a few stations in 

 southern England. 13 We have seen a specimen from Switzerland. 14 



In the United States it is a very rare plant. Fine specimens, collected in 

 Florida, are in the museum at Harvard, and it is recorded from Georgia. 16 



The species has been recorded from Ceylon ;<nd Xew Zealand, but both we 

 think are based on erroneous determination. 



SYNONYMS. This plant was well illustrated by Micheli nearly two hun- 

 dred years ago, and the name Clathrus cancellatus was based on his figure. It 

 has been fortunate in escaping almost all synonyms and there has never IXTH the 

 slightest excuse for name juggling. Bulliard called it Clathrus volvaceus, ::nd 

 Barla is said to have named it Clathrus nicaensis. 17 



12 From Dr. Holl6s' book we learn that it is absent from Hungary, which is surprising, 

 as it appears that the gastroinycetes flora of Hungary is of a southern type. 



l Professor Massee tells me that the plant has reached him from English correspond, nts 

 on three occasions : from Bournemouth, southern England from Haslemere near London; 

 and once was collected on (he banks of the Thames, near Windsor. He also informs me that 

 it is usually found in fir woods which I did not know . 



|- I am told that in some of the deep valleys on the southern side of Switzerland, the cli- 

 mate ls quite warm, and the vegetation is of a southern type. 



rro . 1 ^ Ve * hould be glad of other authentic records in the United States. It is staled !>y 

 New g York reco g rd^Vou.nfu\ Sa ue think'" hlW " Ot "^ COnfidenCe in his ^terminations. T 

 Patu-^v^ - ".thru. - ! - 



isgive^nr^^rcrat^u^iUratu" 18 ' 5 " Ch **** **, a l.eautifu, plate 



2 9 6 



