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Mycologia 



The collection of the hypogaeous fungi of the Santa Cruz 

 Mountains, of California, is based upon a deliberate, carefully 

 planned and systematic search. The writer has now the experi- 

 ence of six seasons' intensive exploration of the mountains ad- 

 jacent to San Jose. It is a deliberate search that few would per- 

 sist in season after season over the same ground, yet it becomes 

 a most fascinating game at which to play. 



The work begins with the coming of the fall rains and con- 

 tinues all through the winter months and up to the beginning of 

 summer, when the ground becomes too dry for any fungus growths. 

 If the ground is thoroughly covered, it frequently means the 

 crawling into wet thickets on hands and knees and includes all the 

 brambles, briars, poison oak and wood ticks that go along with 

 such experiences. Sometimes the rewards from a mycological 

 standpoint are well worth the effort. The most productive season 

 comes in warm spring months if there has been a fair amount of 

 rain. In some seasons there is little to be found owing to drought. 

 Even if a goodly amount of rain has fallen and a sudden, pro- 

 tracted hot spell follows, the fungi will quickly disappear. 



Calif ornian Tuberaceae have been considered in the past to con- 

 tain no aromatic species. Many of the species are easily detected 

 in the soil by their conspicuous color, but some are rather difficult 

 to find for the same reason. None were supposed to closely re- 

 semble the so-called " queen truffles " of Europe. A few resemble 

 closely the white European species. Many are very small and a 

 few attain to some size. Many are of no economic value, while 

 some are large enough and abundant enough to be used for food. 

 Some have a fine nutty flavor, others are apt to be a bit disagree- 

 able. A small black Tuber has been found differing widely from 

 any previous species found here and which developed a very 

 strong odor. This last species was found in a spot in which I 

 have collected different specimens every year for the last five 

 seasons. Differing from all other previously collected forms, it 

 turns alcohol to a deep purple color. 



The methods of collecting the Tuberales and the Hymenogas- 

 trales are the same. The two groups are found frequently grow- 



