SHORT NOTES AND QUERIES. 23 
and brilliant. When a fragment containing the pores is exposed to 
gentle heat over a spirit lamp, there rises at a certain degree of tempera- 
ture, a glittering cloud of extremely thin tubular crystals, nearly square, 
and which reflect light of all colours like the finest gems. In the polari- 
‘scope they are quite gorgeous. The addition of a solution of potash to 
these crystals developes at once the magenta colour obtained by the appli- 
cation of the alkali to the pores with the same result of the formation of 
rhomboidal crystals. It may be inferred from these phenomena, that the 
hymeneal membrane of the fungus contains a volatile acid, like the acid 
mal 
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which, on the application of a solution of potash, devel t 
bright red colouring matte shape and appearance of these crystals 
are, however, totally different to those obtained from Polyporus, 
though they are probably analogous in their nature. our pro- 
and, unfortunately, I have not as yet succeeded in obtaining another 
imen.—C. J. MULLER. 
specimen * 
[A small portion of the plant has been submitted to Dr. Flight, of the 
British Museum, for examination, and he confirm . Muller's observa- 
r 
tions. From the small quantity of the crystals obtainable it was found 
impossible to make an analysis; but from a measurement of their angles 
not ammonium chloride, which had been at first supposed. In connection 
with the production of crystals by species of Polyporus, reference may be 
made to an account by Dr. R. Scott, in the Transactions of the Linn. 
A viii. 268, of a deposit of crystals of oxalic acid on the surface of a 
Bor.] 
ried specimen of P. sulphureus.—Ep. Journ. 
They have the app gi, and are composed of a central 
mass of reddish protoplasm, divided into four parts, and surrounded by a 
circular hyaline capsule. As they are of the same colour as the darker 
he specimens were forwarded to Rev. M. J. Berkeley for his opinion, 
and he has kindly furnished the following information :—* There is, 
think, no doubt that the bodies in the Coleus are some endophyllous 
Fungus, but [ do not know of any in which the endochrome is so neatly 
divided into four portions; a matter which ought not, however, to sur- 
