110 FUNGI. 



observed, which could not be referred to any particular object 

 or body when brought to the light and examined, and were 

 probably due to some minute portions of its mycelium."* The 

 same writer also adds, " Mr. Hugh Low has assured me that he 

 saw the jungle all in a blaze of light (by which he could see to 

 read) as, some years ago, he was riding across the island by 

 the jungle road ; and that this luminosity was produced by an 

 Agaric." 



Similar experiences were detailed by Mr. James Drummond 

 in a letter from Swan River, in which two species of Agaric 

 are concerned. They grew on the stumps of trees, and had 

 nothing remarkable in their appearance by day, but by night 

 emitted a most curious light, such as the writer never saw 

 described in any book. One species was found growing on the 

 stump of a Banksia in Western Australia. The stump was at 

 the time surrounded by water. It was on a dark night, when 

 passing, that the curious light was first observed. When the 

 fungus was laid on a newspaper, it emitted by night a phospho- 

 rescent light, enabling persons to read the words around it, and 

 it continued to do so for several nights with gradually decreas- 

 ing intensity as the plant dried up. In the other instance, 

 which occurred some years after, the author, during one of his 

 botanical trips, was struck by the appearance of a large Agaric, 

 measuring sixteen inches in diameter, and weighing about five 

 pounds. This specimen was hung up to dry in the sitting- 

 room, and on passing through the apartment in the dark it was 

 observed to give out the same remarkable light. The luminous 

 property continued, though gradually diminishing, for four or 

 five nights, when it ceased on the plant becoming dry. " We 

 called some of the natives," he adds, "and showed them this 

 fungus when emitting light, and the poor creatures cried out 

 * chinga,' their name for a spirit, and seemed much afraid 

 of it."f 



Although the examples already cited are those of species of 

 Agaric, luminosity is not by any means wholly confined to that 



* Dr. Collingwood, in " Journal of Linnsean Society (Botany)," vol. x. p. 409. 

 t In " Hooker's Journal of Botany " for April, 1842. 



