The Irish Naturalist, 



September, 



this group measuring 6*3 cm. across. This is more than 

 twice the normal size of 2-5 cm. Excepting this extra large 

 specimen, the average measurement of the full-grown speci- 

 mens was 3 to 3-5 cm. The young fungi, from their first 

 appearance, developed to maturity in a period of from 5 to 7 

 days ; the large specimen mentioned above lived for nearl)^ 

 a fortnight, when it began to turn yellow and fade. The 

 young fungi appeared in two distinct forms, firstly, quite 

 open, flat, or disc-shaped, with a very regularly-lobed edge, 

 and secondly, elongated or tall and cup-shaped, with the edge 

 almost entire. The former invariably developed into a very 

 regular and extremely pretty form, with reflex edges, lobed 

 most regularly ; the latter, on the other hand, without ex- 

 ception, developed into a more or less irregular folded form, 

 with the edges sometimes entire, but usually lobed irre- 

 gularly. This irregular form was much more common than 

 the other, and figures well in the accompanying photograph 

 (Plate 5). In colour, the specimens varied from white, tinged 

 with a trace of violet pink, to a creamy colour. 



As very little is known concerning the exact conditions 

 attending the growth of fungi, this seemed to present a fit 

 opportunity for making a few observations of the physical 

 and chemical conditions under which this species of fungus 

 seemed to thrive to a remarkable degree, producing a speci- 

 men of more than twice the normal maximum in diameter. 



Physicai, Conditions. — Being under cover, the interior ot 

 the outhouse in which the fungi appeared was not exposed 

 directly to climatic extremes ; nevertheless, there was 

 abundant space of communication with the outside atmos- 

 phere through an open door and several openings in the brick 

 wall. The roof was quite water-tight, and rain could only 

 gain an entrance by soaking up through the floor. There were 

 no side windows, but a glass roof-light allowed the interior to 

 be fairly well lighted. The average temperature of the soil 

 in which the fungi grew, during a week, was 16^ C. (6o-8^F.), 

 while, during the same time, the average temperature of the 

 soil outside in the open was i8'6'^ C. (65*5° F.). 



Chkmicai, Conditions. — The soil on the floor of the out- 

 house consisted of the remainder of an old lime-heap. This 

 had not been disturbed for over two years, and in some places 



