22 Cincinnati Society of Natural History. 



in water ; the rooting base is quite variable in size. This name under 

 which the species commonly appears was given by Schweinitz in the 

 Syn. Fung. Carolinae Superioris; a few years later it was figured 

 and described in Silliman's Journal, Vol. IX., page 56, pi. 3, by 

 Edward Hitchcock, as Gyropodium coccineum, a name which he ascribes 

 to Schweinitz ; it was, however, described, even before the time of 

 Linnaeus, by Dr. Plukenet, in the brief fashion of the time, as 

 " Fungus pulverulentus, virginianus, caudice corallino, topiario arte 

 contorto," which presents quite a contrast to the elaborate description 

 required at the present day. M. cinnabarinus of Schweimtz\s X. A. 

 Fungi is evidently this same species. I have never been able to dis- 

 tinguish more than one species in this country, and have regarded M. 

 Ravenelii, Berk., as based upon small specimens of M. lutesce* 



