NOTES ON PLANTS OF THE SEASON. 1»I 



BLIGHTING OF MAPLE LEAVES. 



Last spring we received specimens of maple leaves from sev- 

 eral sources that were turned brown, as though injured by 

 insects or fungi or by frost. We noticed that maple trees about 

 Orono were similiarly affected. A careful examination of the 

 leaves eliminated insects and fungi as the cause of the trouble, 

 and as the temperature did not reach the freezing point at the 

 time the leaves turned brown, this cause was also discarded. 



The effect was produced in a day. The leaves were rapidly 

 unfolding and were nearly expanded. Following warm, moist 

 weather there came a dry hot wind, which evaporated the 

 moisture from the tender young foliage faster than it could be 

 restored, causing the leaves to turn brown. 



STINKHORN FUNGI. 



We frequently receive specimens or inquiries regarding these 

 offensive fungi and presume a short account of them will be 

 interesting. We have found three species growing in Maine, 

 belonging to the genera Phallus and Mutinus. 



These fungi at first are nearly spherical and look like puff 

 balls. They finally burst open irregularly and the hollow stem 

 is pushed through, bearing at its top a conical cap. The stem 

 is sometimes naked, or it may be surrounded by a porous mem- 

 brane called the veil. The cap is conical and may be loosely 

 attached at the apex of the stem or grown to it the whole 

 length. It may be wrinkled on the outside or smooth. There 

 is usually a hole at the top of the cap, though it is not always 

 present. There is borne on the outside of the cap a greenish 

 jelly-like mass containing the greenish spores. It is this green- 

 ish matter that is so offensive. The presence of these fungi 

 gives the impression that an animal has died and is under- 

 going decomposition and the true cause is usually overlooked. 

 The accompanying figures will enable anyone to determine 

 these plants when seen. They should be burned or buried. 



Phallus daemomum, Rumple. This species grows in rich soil 

 about gardens and in the woods. Seems to prefer decaying 

 wood. We have found it about the mill yards where bark and 

 sawdust were decomposing; also in pastures about decaying 



