FLOWERLESS PLANTS. 349 
not wise, neither naturally, morally nor spiritually, to ven- 
ture too near that other place. 
I well recollect, many years since, while residing in the 
pine forests of Russell county, Alabama, one of my neigh- 
bors (Oliver) was desperately annoyed by some mysterious 
feetor, like carrion—only more so. A general search was 
instituted, and at length an abominable fungus was found 
growing beneath the steps of his log cabin. I have only 
known of two instances of this kind. It may, however, be 
common in the piney wood sections of our country. This is 
a species of Clathrus, a putrid, revolting, jelly-like mass of 
raw flesh just beneath the loosely-lifted soil. It diffuses 
such a loathsome stench that none could endure it. 
One might object that this stench was owing to its putrid 
state; not so at all; it is the natural foetor of the fungus, 
just as we find in our common pole-cat weed and cabbage, 
several arums, stapelias, etc. Unless the hiding place of 
this pest is discovered — and little peace is likely to come to 
the premises until it is—and the intolerable nuisance abated, 
with its surroundings, they are apt to repeat themselves. 
There is a popular superstition that if any one should acci- 
dentally touch this monstrous mass it would produce cancer. 
Hence the custom of carefully covering it over with leaves, 
moss, earth, etc., to prevent the possibility of a contagion. 
Now, whatever we may think of such superstitions, let us 
respect —I had almost said reverence—the intuitive prompt- 
ings from that purer and better world within and above this 
lower region of filth and contagion, which causes the sensi- 
tive and tidy spirit to shudder at, shrink back from and shun 
such exposures. 
We do most solemnly warn the reader that the most vig- 
orous health may not too rashly presume upon a forced, fool- 
hardy or wanton and careless contact with these, or with 
those other fungi—the moral mildews, moulds and blites of 
man’s paradise. 
Recent researches seem to show us how little we yet know, 
