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tanical Garden, and names a variety, hortense, found on the latter host. 

 So far as I know, the plant has never been observed in this country either 

 on linden or elm. It is possible that the influence of the host may affect 

 somewhat the growth of the plant, if these are all one species. This is a 

 point that needs further investigation. 



The immense sporophore is a single season's growth and it seems 

 probable is produced very rapidly in the course of a few weeks in August 

 and September, reaching maturity about the first of October. The form 

 found on maple in the east has been observed to fruit several years in suc- 

 cession, and Fries speaks of the plant as growing annually on elm at Up- 

 sala. The beech in Dr. Post's yard two years later produced a small fun- 

 gal growth, but too high up to be sure of its character, since which time 

 no further growth has been observed. The tree on which the present 

 growth was found gave no indications of any previous growths. Other 

 observations lead me to believe that it is not usual for the beech fungus to 

 fruit annually for a series of years. How long the mycelium lives in the 

 tree is unknown. 



The spores are produced in enormous numbers, but seemingly for only 

 a few days. On my first visit to this plant, October 17, no spore fall was 

 observed, but the matter was not especially tested. Two days later, on 

 visiting the place, spores were observed rising from the mass in small 

 clouds. These frequently streamed out from parts of the fungus like a 

 puff of smoke for 10 or 15 seconds, then ceased and after two or three 

 minutes began again. Such streams were emitted from different parts of 

 the plant irregularly, so that from some part spores were escaping almost 

 constantly. The day was pleasant and the air very quiet, yet occasionally 

 a light puff of air passed over the plant. The streaming of the spores, 

 however, appeared to be no more marked when the air stirred than when 

 it was perfectly quiet. The plant was carefully removed from the tree, 

 but being found too heavy to carry was left propped against the base where 

 it had grown. Five days later the fungus was brought to the laboratory 

 and found to be in good condition, but the outer edges of the pilei were 

 beginning to darken and curl. Faint spore prints were obtained, but such 

 as to indicate that spore discharge was practically over. Whether the re- 

 moval of the plant from the tree shortened the time of spore discharge is 

 not certain, but it is doubtful if the plant gives off its spores naturally for 

 a period of more than a week or ten days. 



