2G2 FUNGI. 



immersed in water. The final conditions are small clavate bodies 

 of the order Sphceriacei, belonging to the genus Claviceps. The 

 Sclerotium of the Eleocharis has been found in this country, but 

 we are not aware that the Claviceps developed from it has been 

 met with or induced by cultivation. One method recommended 

 for this sort of experiment is to fill a garden-pot half full of 

 crocks, over which to place sphagnum broken up until the pot in 

 nearly full, on this to place the Sclerotia, and cover with silver 

 sand ; if the pot is kept standing in a pan of water in a warm 

 room, it is stated that production will ensue. Ergot of the 

 grasses will not always develop under these conditions, but 

 perseverance may ultimately ensure success. 



A species of Sclerotium on the gills of dead Agarics originates 

 Agaricus tuberosus, another Agaricus cirrhatus* but this should 

 be kept in situ when cultivated artificially, and induced to 

 develop whilst still attached to the rotten Agarics. Peziza tube- 

 rosa, in like manner, is developed from Sclerotia, usually found 

 buried in the ground in company with the roots of Anemone 

 nemorosa. At one time it was supposed that some relationship 

 existed between the roots of the anemone and the Sclerotia. 

 From another Sclerotium, found in the stems of bulrushes, Mr. 

 Currey has developed a species of Peziza, which has been named 

 P. Curreyana.\ This Peziza has been found growing naturally 

 from the Sclerotia imbedded in the tissue of common rushes. 

 De Bary has recorded the development of Peziza Fuclceliana 

 from a Sclerotium of which the conidia take the form of a species 

 of Polyactis. Peziza ciborioides is developed from a Sclerotium 

 found amongst dead leaves ; and recently we have received from 

 the United States an allied Peziza which originated from the 

 Sclerotia found on the petals of Magnolia, and which has been 

 named Peziza gracilipes, Cooke, from its very slender, thread- 

 like stem. Other species of Peziza are also known to be 

 developed from similar bases, and these Fuckel has associated 



* Dr. Bull has been very successful in developing the Sclerotium, of Agaricus 

 cirrhatus. 



f Currey, " On Development of Sclerotium roseum," in "Journ. Linn. Soc." 

 vol. i. p. 143. 



