2G8 
Sowerby, however, never saw a si^eciraen of Sparassis crisp)a, and 
as he is hardly likely to have overlooked such a magnificent 
member of the fungus kingdom, we may fairly conclude it did 
not appear there during his time. The present specimen was 
found by Lord Stafford in October of this year (1880). It 
measured twelve inches in diameter and eight inches in height, 
and bore out the quaint similitude of Schaeffer : “ Der ganze 
Schwamm stellet nicht uneben ein Biiumgen vor,” who figures 
it in Table clxiii. of his ‘ Fungorum Bavariae ’ (17G2). — i 
C. B. Plowright. 
Note on Ergots. M. Tulasne figures three species of Claviceps 
(Ann. Sc. Nat. 1853, vol. xx. t 3, 4, 5) ; namely, C. purpurea, 
microcephala, and nujricans. The two former have been frequently 
met with in Great Britain upon various Gramiueie, but the last-named 
had until the present year (1880) only been found in the sclerotoid 
state upon Eleocharis. In the month of October I collected a number 
of Ergots upon Eleocharis, at Moccas Park, Herefordshire, which 
I brought home and kept upon damp sand, under a bell glass, until \ 
they developed their Claoiceps in May, 1881. After careful i 
examination I have failed in finding any good specific distinction 
between it and C. microcephala (the Glauiceps of the common 
Reed). Now Mr. Wilson (p. 13) fails to find anj'^ satisfactory ■ 
distinction between C. microcephala and 0. purpurea, and I am j 
bound to say that as far as my observations have gone I quite agree 
with him upon this point. The obvious inference is, that up to 
the present time only one species of Claviceps is known to science, 
and that this species varies considerably in form, size, colour, and in 
other characters, and that it ergotizes indiscriminately various 
Glumaceas. — C. B. Plowright. 
Additions to the Norfolk Flora. Three very rare plants 
found in this county by Mr. A. Bennett, of Croydon, have been 
exhibited at our meetings this year. One, Chara ohiusa, Desv., 
from Filby Broad, is new to Britain. Of the other two, both from 
the neighbourhood of Brandon, Festuca ambigua, Lo Gall., is new 
to the county, and Veronica verna, Linn., is one of our very rarest 
local species. — II. D. Geldart. 
/ 
