96 
MESSRS 
ON SCLEROTIUM STIPITATUM 
rizable. The specimens of Choo-Ung vary much in size as well as in form. The largest we 
have (and which is drawn in PI. IX. fig. 10) weighs 481 grains, and the smallest 15 grains ; 
the average of 46 specimens is 86 grains. All exhibit a thin, black, more or less shrivelled 
cuticle, closely investing the uniform, corky, cream-coloured substance of which the mass 
of the tuber consists. 
4. Mylitta lapidescens, 
(Petrop. 1856), p. 34. 
Horaninow, in Tatarinov, Catal. Medicamentorum Sinensium 
Medicinae Sinicee (1682), Med. Simp. No. 227 
|* ^fo- {Luy-wan), Pun-tsaou-kang-muh, cap. xxxvii. sect. 4 (cum 
5>£F5LJDLjn-av)B>lJD Carom-pallaguin. 
* 
The fourth tuberiform substance to which we have alluded is that named by Horaninow 
Mylitta lapidescens. Specimens of this production, both from India and China, are drawn 
in PI. IX. figs. 14-17. In a dry state they are extremely hard, so much so that, in the 
case of the Indian specimens, they might easily be supposed at first sight to be some stony 
substance from the chalk-beds out of which they are dug. There can be no doubt, how- 
ever, of their vegetable nature, and but little, we think, as to their affinity with the 
hypogseous fungi. Although no trace of fruit is discernible, the inner substance is marked 
with veins, and a microscopic section shows the division of the tissue into areola similar 
to that exhibited by the hypogseous fungi. It is not easy to say whether it is truly of 
parasitic growth, though the natives of India assert it to be so. It will be seen, by 
referring to PL IX. fig. 15, that the specimen there represented has a small root-like ex- 
crescence on the left-hand side ; and this excrescence, of which we have examined sections, 
is certainly of woody structure, although we are unable to say to what plant it belongs. 
Out of fifty Chinese specimens, however, only four exhibit these roots, which it is possible 
may be of accidental occurrence. The largest of these specimens weighs 106 grains, and 
the smallest 5 grains, the average weight of 50 being 24*6 grains. The largest Indian 
specimen weighs 268 grains. 
We are informed by Dr. Waring that the native Indian name, Carom-pallagtim, means 
literally, Slack pallagtim, pallagwm signifying a medicinal substance. Our specimens 
all 
grey 
brown rather than black ; but the wrinkles on the surface, which are very 
It is 
minute and which cannot be seen clearly without a lens, are of a very dark colour, 
possible that the specimens, when moist and fresh, may be of a darker colour than when 
in the hard and dry condition in which they reach this country. We think it hardly 
probable that the dry specimens in our possession should be brought to fructify, although 
the instance of Ergot of Bye producing fruit after having been baked in an oven shows 
that fungi may undergo a good deal of hard treatment without losing their vitality. 
We are experimenting with the Mylitta ; and if we succeed in causing it to produce 
fruit, we shall not fail to report the result. 
