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VIII. Remarks on Sclerotium stipitatum, Berk, et Curr., Pachyma Cocos, Fries, and some 

 similar productions. By Fuedekick Cuerey, Esq., M.A., F.B.S., F.L.S., and 

 Daniel Hanbtjry, Esq., F.L.S. 



Read May 3, 1860. 



We 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 tuberiform bodies described by him in a former paper published in 

 the 3rd volume of the Journal of this Society. These other bodies are, Pachi/ma Cocos, Fries 

 (the Pe-foo-ling of the Chinese) ; the substance called in China Choo-ling ; and Professor 

 Horaninow's Ilylitta lapidescens. We have thought that a few additional remarks, ac- 

 companied by figm'cs 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. PI. IX. figs. 1, 2, and 3 represent the 

 only three specimens which have hitherto reached this country, drawn to their natiu*al 

 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 yiM^^^ of well-known and verv 

 diverse genera. The tuber from which Beziza tuherosa 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 caUed 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 fii-st week 

 in AprU 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 Pesiza, being the full development oi Sderotiumr oseum, Kneiff." by F.Currey, Esq., F.L.S. 

 (op. cit. vol. i. p. 147). 



