1905] ATKINSON—HYPOCREA ALUTACEA 405 
this dilemma we shall choose. At least none of these students has 
leit us any evidence which can be considered proof of one or the 
other of the theories as to the nature of H ypocrea alutacea. 
My first acquaintance with the plant was in August 1901, when 
Mr. A. M. Fercuson, one of the students in my laboratory, collected 
several specimens growing on very rotten wood in one of the forested 
gorges at Ithaca, N. Y. In looking up the literature at the time I 
was impressed with the diversity of opinion on the subject, as well as 
the lack of any attempt at experimental proof one way or the other 
in support of the theories advanced. It occurred to me that perhaps 
here was an opportunity to settle by simple experiment this dispute 
oi a century. At least the trial could be made. Accordingly the 
plants were placed over night in a new and clean pasteboard box, 
covered. On the following day I found that the bottom of the box 
Was nearly covered with numerous ascospores which had been shot 
ut of the perithecia during the night. There was also a thick and 
loose covering of the spores over the fruiting portion of the fungus as 
the plants lay in the box.. 
For culture media I employed sterilized slices of a species of 
Lactarius which had been prepared a few days before for culturing 
Nyetalis asterophora. These slices were in test tubes and about 
half covered with water. With a sterilized platinum needle, transfers 
of ascospores were made from the fresh pile on the plants to the 
ene substratum in the tubes. Twelve tube cultures were started. 
ith this number it was quite probable that from the fresh pile of 
‘Pores several plantings could be made which would be pure. If 
the spores should grow, and the mycelium mature perithecia, there 
ee likely be some indication as to whether Hypocrea aluiacea Is 
“ngle or dual in its nature. If single, then we would expect the 
development . of a clavate stroma in the pure culture. If dual, the 
‘toma would be spread over the surface of the dead slice of the 
eee At the same time dilution cultures were made in agaric agar 
“gar in Petrj dishes. None of the spores germinated in them, however. 
ee week’s time I left Ithaca for the mountains of ee — 
: a. At the time of leaving there was shins little evi is! 
'Y growth in the tube cultures, although V yctalis asterophora spores, 
$0 j : 
Wed at the same time, produced a mature crop of plants in @ week 
