110 FUNGI. 
observed, which could not be referred to any particular object 
or body when brought to the light and examined, and were 
probably due to some minute portions of its mycelium.”* The 
same writer also adds, “ Mr. Hugh Low has assured me that he 
saw the jungle all in a blaze of light (by which he conld see to 
read) as, some years ago, he was riding across the island by 
the jungle road; and that this luminosity was produced by an 
Agaric.” 
Similar experiences were detailed by Mr. James Drummond 
in a letter from Swan River, in which two species of Agaric 
are concerned. They grew on the stumps of trees, and had 
nothing remarkable in their appearance by day, but by night 
emitted a most curious light, such as the writer never saw 
described in any book. One species was found growing on the 
stump of a Banksia in Western Australia. The stump was at 
the time surrounded by water. It was ona dark night, when 
passing, that the curious light was first observed. When the 
fungus was laid on a newspaper, it emitted by night a phospho- 
rescent light, enabling persons to read the words around it, and 
it continued to do so for several nights with gradually decreas- 
ing intensity as the plant dried up. In the other instance, 
which occurred some years after, the author, during one of his 
botanical trips, was struck by the appearance of a large Agaric, 
measuring sixteen inches in diameter, and weighing about five 
pounds. This specimen was hung up to dry in the sitting- 
room, and on passing through the apartment in the dark it was 
observed to give out the same remarkable light. The luminous 
property continued, though gradually diminishing, for four or 
five nights, when it ceased on the plant becoming dry. ‘“‘ We 
called some of the natives,” he adds, “‘and showed them this 
fungus when emitting light, and the poor creatures cried out 
*shinga,’ their name for a spirit, and seemed much afraid 
of it.” + ‘ 
' Although the examples already cited are those of species of 
Agaric, luminosity is not by any means wholly confined to that 
* Dr. Collingwood, in “‘ Journal of Linnzan Society (Botany),” vol. x. p. 469. 
+ In “ Hooker’s Journal of Botany ” for April, 1842. 
