On the Genera Diplocystis and Broomeia. 191 
ripe, flakes off and disappears entirely, leaving no rim to surround the indi- 
viduals. In D. Junodii the saucer-shaped stroma is not smooth in the 
interior, but is thrown up into well-marked ridges, forming a separate com- 
partment for each individual (Plate XX, Fig. 2). 
In B. congregata this separation of the stroma into compartments is not 
so strongly marked and is often absent. B congregata occurs frequently 
around Pretoria, and our examination of material at different stages of 
development has enabled us to confirm the accuracy of Murray's (3) descrip- 
tion of the exoperidium of this fungus. The remains of the exoperidium on 
the specimens of D. Junodii which we have examined suggests that a similar 
common exoperidium covers all the individuals in this plant also. Lloyd, 
however, it should be noted, states that " Diplocystis has an individual exo- 
peridium for each endoperidium." In conclusion, it should be mentioned 
that it is frequently stated that B. congregata grows on rotten wood. We 
have collected this fungus on a number of occasions in the neighbourhood 
of Pretoria, and have always found it growing on the ground in close 
proximity to the main stem of living trees of Acacia Karroo, Hayne 
(Plate XXII, Figs. 1 and 2), and have never yet found it associated with 
rotten wood. In several cases it has been noticed that trees thus associated 
with Broomeia were gumming freely from the main stem. An instance of 
this gumming is well shown on Plate XXII, Fig. 1, and at the base of the 
tree is an undeveloped plant of B. congregata. Fig. 2, Plate XXII, is a 
photograph of the same plant nine days later, after the exoperidium has 
begun to peel off. 
The fructification on Plate XXIII, Fig. 1, is an exceptionally large 
specimen and measures 17 cm. x 15 cm. It contained just over 900 in- 
dividuals and closely embraced the stem of an Acacia at the ground level. 
The exoperidium is still present on the edges of the left-hand portion. These 
fungi usually appear after rain in the months of December and January, and 
their presence can be detected at once before they are actually found by 
the peculiar powerful odour which they emit, somewhat resembling aniseed. 
Bibliography. 
(1) Berkeley, M. J. — "On a Collection of Fungi from Cuba," ' Journ. Linn. Soc.,' 
London, x, p. 344, 1869. 
(2) Lloyd, C. G. — " Mycological Writings," vol. i, p. 141, 1903 ; and p. 193, 1904. 
(3) Murray, G. — "On the Outer Peridiuni of Broomeia," Journ. Linn. Soc.,' London, 
XX, p. 311, 1883. 
EXPLANATION OF PLATES XIX-XXIII. 
PLATE XIX. 
Specimens of D. Junodii, Pole Evans and Bottomley ; natural size. 
