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Cincinnati Society of Natural History. 



Ccemansia sp. undt — Washington Hall. 

 Papulospora sp. undt. — Washington Hall. 

 Bouderia sp. undt. — Washington Hall. 



Several of these forms occur in the greatest abundance in 

 certain portions of the cave, the region beyond the rivers 

 being the favored localities, because, probably, many spores 

 are introduced with the lunches, and find congenial homes 

 and abundant nourishment on the refuse. Mention should 

 also be made of a small Peziza, which occurs on very old, 

 water-soaked timbers in the Mammoth Dome. It still persists 

 in presenting reddish coloration, notwithstanding that the 

 forms at present found must represent a generation quite re- 

 mote from the one originally introduced. The constant tem- 

 perature of the cave (54 F.) is somewhat below that for the 

 abundant production of most forms of lower fungi. 



Of the forms which are here mentioned Coprinus micaceous , 

 Rhizomorpha molinaris, and Mucor mucedo are probably sub- 

 terranean. With the exception of the first, all are common 

 to mines, and apparently grow in them under practically the 

 same conditions as those which obtain in Mammoth Cave. 



Most of the forms are variously modified, if one might 

 judge from the published descriptions, due, no doubt, to the 

 changed environment. Certain forms, like the Sporotrichia, 

 are sarcophytic. In damp localities in the cave these forms 

 always are to be found on the bodies of dead crickets. Their 

 more proper reference, possibly, would be to the genus Isaria. 



In certain localities the great white patches of Mucor mu- 

 cedo are conspicuous both from their size and their great deli- 

 cacy. Over the Bottomless Pit this fungus hangs down in 

 long festoons of a feathery-white, cottony consistency, giving 

 a most uncanny appearance to the half-decayed woodwork. 

 In other places it runs wild over the soil surrounding decay- 

 ing timbers— a very cloak of snow T y whiteness. These two 

 last named forms are the most conspicuous in the wastes of 

 the cave, but are often passed by, mistaken for sheets of paper 

 or balls of the same substance. 



Very little new is added in this brief note, but enough to 

 disclose to botanists who may read it that much yet remains 

 to be done in the underground regions of America. Charac- 

 teristic plants are certain yet to be found. 



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