POLYSACCUM ALBUM. 



When I examined the types of this species, which are small, smooth 

 and white, I thought it was a young specimen of Polysaccum pisocar- 

 pium, and have so referred it (Lye. of Aus., p. 12). I have just 

 received from R. T. Baker, Sydney, Australia, two fine specimens 



(Fig. 234) which are 

 mature, and appear to me 

 as being different from 

 the European plant, hence 

 I conclude that Polysaccum 

 album is a good species as 

 "species" of Polysaccum 

 run. \Yhile it is so close 

 to P. pisocarpium that it 

 is difficult to explain the 

 difference, Mr. Baker's 

 specimens are white, 

 smooth and firm. When 

 fresh I think they are es- 

 pecially liable to discolor- 

 ation if bruised, and the 

 tissue paper in which they 

 are wrapped is stained, and 

 the specimens are spotted 

 black, evidently \v here 

 bruised. It is probable 

 that Polysaccum marmor- 

 atum is based on this char- 

 acter which all "species" of 

 Polysaccum seem to have, of spotting when bruised. The "type" speci- 

 mens of marmoratum are rather the shape of crassipes than that of piso- 

 carpium. The genus Polysaccum consists in reality of one polymorphic 

 species, and it is a simple matter to so designate it and dump all the 

 ..pecific names into one. Different collections, however, differ so 

 much from each other that this treatment will not satisfy the average 

 systematist who would separate the marked forms. But unless his 

 experience is limited, he will be embarrassed to definitely refer to these 

 forms or "species" the specimens he examines. Contrasting Mr. 

 Baker's specimen with the usual collection of Polysaccum pisocarpium, 

 it differs markedly in its smooth, white peridium, and is hence a good 

 "species" as far as any species of Polysaccum are "good." 



LETTERS. The Letters we have issued from time to time are principally 

 reports of specimens received and are not sent to our regular mailing list. We 

 have sent them chiefly to those whose names appear in the reports of plants in 

 each letter. However, those desiring to complete sets for binding can secure 

 these Letters by sending request to the Lloyd Library, No. 224 West Court 

 Street, Cincinnati, Ohio, specifying the numbers missing from their sets. We 

 have just reprinted Letter No. i, and can at present supply any of the back 

 numbers. Nineteen Letters have been issued to date. 



394 



Fig. 234. 



