308 SEAVER: STUDIES IN TROPICAL ASCOMYCETES 
at an elevation of about 3500 feet. Here the soil and atmosphere 
were saturated so much so that it was impossible to find a dry 
place where one could sit to rest or eat. The trunks of the trees 
and even the leaves were loaded with mosses and hepatics, and 
there seemed to be scarcely room for a fungus to grow, although 
a number of specimens of Aschersonia in fruit (Hypocrella) were 
found and in some abundance. 
The view, which must be remarkable under favorable con- 
ditions, was entirely missed by us on account of the atmospheric 
conditions. In spite of the fact that we were under the tropical 
sun, had it not been obscured by the elouds and fog, a cold chill 
wind swept over the mountain top which compelled us to look 
for a sheltered spot where we could eat our lunch in compara- 
tive comfort. 
Not finding the conditions especially favorable for myco- 
logical collecting at this elevation the writer preceded the party 
down the trail in order to have time to hunt leisurely for things 
of a mycological nature. Many interesting collections were 
made, most of which have not beenstudied critically. One which 
was of more than usual interest was a species of Xylaria which is 
made the subject of the present paper. These specimens were 
found opposite the overhanging rock about midway between 
the summit and the Forester’s cabin to the left of the trail going 
down. 
On account of the density of the forest and the general gloomi- 
ness of the day it was difficult to detect the presence of minute 
fungi. However, on picking up what appeared to be a dead 
stick a seed the size of an ordinary marble was found attached 
to its base. On closer examination the object, which proved 
to be a large fungus, was at first thought to be a fine Cordyceps. 
It finally turned out to be a Xylaria. On further search other 
plants were found until fifty or a hundred specimens had been 
collected, each growing from a seed of what proved to be that 
of the mountain palm, Euterpe globosa Gaert. A number of 
fungi, such as certain species of Sclerotinia, grow exclusively on 
seeds. Also a number of species of Cordyceps grow on under- 
ground fungi which have much the same general appearance, 
but so far as the experience of the writer has gone this is the 
only species of Xylaria encountered which has the general ap- 
pearance of a Cordyceps with the habitat of the Sclerotinia. 
