Seasonal Notes 



575 



however, the larch (which in several other features differs 

 much from its relations) offers an exception. If an observer 

 who has the opportunity will look at a young larch at the 

 present season, he will find many indications of growth from 

 latent buds. They occur chiefly near the base of little 

 branches which have died or been cut off. They are not, 

 however, so close to the scar as to suggest outgrowth from 

 the stump of the last twig, and in some instances they may 

 be found on the bole where no indication of loss or damage 

 can be traced. A little green plumule, with scales at its 

 base, is the characteristic at the present season. These are 

 the quite new growths, but on many large boles numerous 

 small twigs are present which have resulted from such buds 

 in former years. The new buds are always found on the side 

 of the tree most exposed to warmth and light. 



SEASONAL NOTES: 



April showers do not promote the growth of many fungi ; 

 the soil is not so warm as it is in September, when autumnal 

 rains, as we have already noted, quicken into active growth 

 the mycelium of an enormous assemblage of species. Sep- 

 tember and October are by far the busiest months for the 

 mycologist, but a good deal of observation may be done in 

 April. 



The student will be able to collect a few well charac- 

 terised agarics, several highly interesting species of the larger 

 ascomycetes, and, late in the month, will be able to inves- 

 tigate, with the aid of the microscope, the beautiful little 

 rust fungi (Uredines) then appearing on the leaves of many 

 wild plants. One of the earliest of the Uredines is the 

 Moschatel fungus. The mycelium is perennial, and the 

 black pustules of the fungal flowers (technically the mass of 



