Parks : California Hypogaeous Fungi 



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It is not to be seen in old specimens and very quickly disappears 

 after the plants are taken from the ground. Whether this is a 

 parasite is yet to be determined, but the mycelium of the species 

 is scant and dark colored. I find, however, nearly all plants have 

 this covering, while it is not to be seen in other species so far 

 collected. 



Genea Gardnerii appears rarely among the specimens of G. 

 Harknessii, but usually somewhat later in the season. It is so 

 close in resemblance to the former species that it is difficult to 

 determine offhand. It is black, verrucose and more complexly 

 folded. It appears on the surface of the ground, but well covered 

 with leaves and in places similar to the preceding form. 



Genea cerebriformis is collected over wide areas throughout a 

 very long season. It appears in all kinds of soil, but more abun- 

 dantly in clay soil under oaks. Over one hundred have been col- 

 lected in the month of January in wet clay soil and in the same 

 ground again in April. Plants are minute, usually under one 

 centimeter, but some of nearly 2.5 cm. have been recently found. 

 The plants are white, rarely simple and globose, but more often a 

 formless mass of complex chambers. Usually found below the 

 surface to a depth of one to three inches, but are rather con- 

 spicuous in spite of the very small size. Recent specimens were 

 found to have a very strong odor and to depart radically in size 

 from the description. 



Hydnotrya ellipsospora is described from a single collection 

 made in 1909 at Pacific Grove by Prof. N. L. Gardner. It was 

 again reported in March, 191 7, when several plants appeared in 

 collections made here. From these the original descriptions were 

 verified. The type of this species is very small, but subsequent 

 collections over four seasons have proven that the type is not rep- 

 resentative of the size of the species. It appears in all localities 

 under numerous trees and in various ways. The fresh plants are 

 a very delicate purple color with a delicate " peach bloom " on the 

 surface. This color very rapidly fades and in two or three days 

 is gone, the plants becoming a dull brown. It is frequently found 

 in soft, moist earth at a depth of several inches, but the plants are 

 small. They are often very complexly folded, with very large 



