93 
VIII. Remarks on Sclerotium stipitatum, Berk, et Cupr^, Pachyina Cocos, Fries, and 
similar productions. By Frederick Currey, Esq., M.A., F.B.S., F.L.S., and 
Daniel Hanbtjry, Esq., F.L.S. 
Read May 3, 1860. 
W E have investigated with some attention the nature of the body to which, in the pre- 
ceding paper, Mr. Berkeley has given the name of Sclerotium stipitatum, and have com- 
pared it with the other tnberiform bodies described by him in a former paper published in 
the 3rd volume of the Journal of this Society. These other bodies are, Bach y ma Cocos, Fries 
(the Be-foo-ling of the Chinese) ; the substance called in China Choo-ling ; and Professor 
Horaninow's Mylitta lapidescens. We have thought that a few additional remarks, ac- 
companied by figures of the specimens and of their microscopic structure, may facilitate 
future inquiries, which are much needed in order to arrive at a satisfactory conclusion as 
to the nature of these anomalous productions. 
And first with regard to Sclerotium stipitatum. PL IX. figs. 1, 2, and 3 represent the 
only three specimens which have hitherto reached this country, drawn to their natural 
size. "We are quite of Mr. Berkeley's opinion, that they are of a fungoid nature, 
although it is impossible to speculate as to what the perfect state may be. Several 
hard, shapeless, fungoid bodies, the nature of which was long misunderstood, have been 
found to produce, under favourable circumstances, perfect fungi of well-known and very 
diverse genera. The tuber from which Beziza tuberosa is ultimately produced was sup- 
posed by Hedwig to be a dried Anemone root ; and the true nature of the common Ergot 
of Rye was quite unknown until Tulasne called attention to the fact that it consists only 
of compact mycelium, which, under particular treatment, may always be made to produce 
a species of Cordyceps, — an observation which has since been verified by Mr. Berkeley and 
other mycologists. There is a black, cylindrical, fungoid body found in the interior of 
the stems of rushes, long known by the name of Sclerotium roseum, which has lately been 
found to give rise in the spring of the year to a species of Beziza, a description of which 
will be found in the 1st volume of the Journal of this Society*. This Sclerotium has also 
been treated successfully under cultivation : a specimen was gathered last November, and 
kept during the winter under the requisite conditions of moisture ; and in the first week 
in April the Beziza appeared, a few days only before its occurrence in its native habitat. 
"We think it not improbable that Sclerotium stipitatum might be treated so as to induce 
it to perfect its fructification ; and we have some hope of procuring a further supply of 
specimens from India, to enable us to institute the necessary experiments. The specimens 
hitherto received, besides being only three in number, were destined by their sender, Dr. 
On a new Species of Pekiza, being the full development of Sclerotiumr oseum, Kneiff." by F.Currey, Esq., F.L.S. 
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