217 



According to Buller, visible spore-discharge in the hymenomycetes Is a 

 rare phenomenon, and he cites the observations of Hoffman, Hammer, and 

 von Schrenlv. My own observation on Stecclierimom septentrionale con- 

 form to Von Schrenlv's description of the spore-discharge in Poluporufi 

 schweinitsii. Buller accounts for the intermittent clouds by tiny irregular 

 air currents, and thinks the spores were in reality "falling continuously 

 and regularly by their own weight." In the case of his own observation on 

 Polyporus sqiiomosus this view appears to be confirmed, and he likens the 

 appearance to the steam arising from a cup of tea in irregular eddies or the 

 curling of tobacco smoke from the bowl of a pipe. Had he observed the 

 discharge in Stecohcrinum sejJtcntrionale I believe he would not have felt 

 so confident of his explanation. The cloud-like discharge was more as the 

 curling ftmoke of the tobacco when one breathes at intervals through the 

 pipe. I doubt if the discharge is due to any propelling force as hinted by 

 Von Schrenk, but it seems to me probable that over certain restricted areas 

 there is a simultaneous liberation of great quantities of spores followed by 

 a period uf rest. That such intermittent spore release occurs in all hy- 

 menomj'cetes is improbable, but it seems to account for tlie phenomenon 

 as observed in SteccJierinum septentrionale and Polyporus schweinitzH. 



Whether the present fungus is to be regarded as an edible species can 

 not be stated. No one appears to have tested its qualities. It would prob- 

 ably be found somewhat tough, especially when matui'e, but not more so 

 than many forms that are recommended. In drying it gives off a very 

 strong odor which would lead one to expect it to have a pronounced flavor. 

 The taste of the raw plant is not inviting, and yet not particularly of- 

 fensive. If any preparation of it would make it really comestible, a single 

 plant is sufficient to furnish an abundant feast. 



The plant is not rare and yet cannot be said to be common. It ap- 

 pears to be most abundant in Indiana and Ohio, perhaps because of the 

 prevalence of the beech in this region. When the writer came to Indiana 

 six years ago, he had not been In the State more than a couple of weeks 

 when his attention was called by one of his students to the specimen 

 previously mentioned in Dr. Post's yard. As there were three or four dried 

 specimens observed lying about the laboratory, the Impression was given 

 that specimens could probably be readily obtained almost any time in 

 season. Being at the time unusually busy organizing a new work, the 

 opportunity for study of the plant was allowed to pass with a casual ex- 



