HYCOLOGIQAL MOTES 
C. G. LLOYD 
Page 903 
POLYSTICTUS FLAVUS (OR IRPEX FLAVUS ) PROM OTTO A. RE INKING, 
PHILIPPINES (Pig. 1595).- A rather common species in the tropics 
takes Irpex and Polystictus forms which are very puzzling but are 
connected by many intermediate collections. We present in our 
figure the Irpex form (Pig. 1596) and the PolystictuS form (Pig. 
1595). The beginner would hardly consider them the same, but in 
practice so many intermediate forms are received that it is impossi¬ 
ble to hold them as other than the same species. 
The history is also interesting. Junghuhn in early days 
gave a fine figure, from Java, of Polystictus flavus, and as the 
usual plant is a Polystictus it appears to us that on its merits his 
name should be used. Klotzsch named the Irpex form as Irpex flavus, 
a coincidence as to the specific name, but he made a mistake and 
attributed it as an arctic species. It is a tropical species and 
does not even grow in temperate regions, much less in the Arctics. 
As the specific name is the same it does not matter much whether one 
writes Junghuhn or Klotzsch after it, excepting that it is mislead¬ 
ing to apply a name to a tropical plant that was proposed only for 
a supposedly arctic plant. Those who follow it should justify their 
selection by some other argument than a display of dates. 
CORDYCEPS SINENSIS 
We are indebted to Prof. N* Gist Gee for additional notes on 
the Chinese history of Oordyceps sinensis, as follows: Reference* 
to this insect is found in Chinese botany as long ago as two thous¬ 
and years. As a medicine it is used only as a tonic. It is said 
by the Chinese that the grass-like growth from the top of the head 
is a tonic for the upper part of the body, and that the body of the 
worm is a tonic for the lower part of the body. It is used by the 
Chinese in three ways: First when dry it is beaten into a powder 
and taken in that form. Second, the po?7der is mixed with other 
tonics and put into water and taken in that form as medicine. Third 
this powder is also stuffed into ducks' stomachs and thus eaten. 
This is considered a delicacy and sometimes served to guests. In 
this form it is called Tsong Tsao Yah ds. When gathered the worm 
is sold to shopkeepers who handle it in the regular way* It is 
found in level, grassy spots, whether down between the mountains 
or higher up, I am told it is not found in Chinese Szeehuen but 
is found only in the mountainous highlands of Chinese Tibet. That 
is as far as Szeehuen is concerned. In what other parts of Tibet 
or China this insect may be found 1 do not know. I am told that 
the worm is gathered in the third and fourth Chinese month. It is 
found with the fungus grass-like growth projecting above the ground. 
This is said to be greenish and resemble grass- The worm is beneath 
the ground. So the Chinese say a grass seed has by some chance 
dropped on the head of this worm and that it has taken root and 
grown there. They suppose the fungus is a sort of grass. Those 
who gather this worm, whether natives or Chinese, carry a little 
instrument along and when they see this fungus growth above the 
ground they simply scoop worm and all out bodily. Then the worms 
are sold to the shops, being dumped into a bag or anything conven- : 
ient. They are then carefully cleaned with a brush, put into proper 
shape to dry, and are thus ready for the market. 
