Lloyd Mycological Writings V4.pdf - MykoWeb

TWO INTERESTING PHALLOIDS FROM AFRICA.
Two phalloids of the greatest interest to me have been received
from Edouard Luja, of Congo Beige.
Clathrus Fischeri, a specimen which, though dried, is quite
characteristic. Although this plant seems to be frequent and wide-
spread in Africa, it is scantily known in our
literature.
barius of
It corresponds to Clathrus ci-
New Zealand, having the same
tubular structure (viz., the genus Ileodictyon),
the same general shape and size, but
the meshes are smaller. I question if a
photograph of the fresh plant would showmuch
difference from the photograph we
have printed (Phalloid Synopsis, page 61)
of Clathrus cibarius. The African plant is
yellow and the New Zealand plant is white.
Clathrus Fischeri was named from a very
imperfect specimen in the museum at Paris,
obtain such a
from which I could only
scanty idea that I did not consider it in my
Pi, 5U Phalloid Synopsis. It was mentioned inci-
ciathrus camerunensis. dentally on page 62 as an African form (?)
of Clathrus cibarius. Then I received alcoholic
specimens and color notes from Charles A. O'Connor (cfr.
Letter 27), which placed the species on a firm basis, and now Mr.
Luja sends nice specimens with color notes ("jaune-orange") that
further confirm it. I am glad that Clathrus Fischeri turns out to be
a good species.
Clathrus Camerunensis. Mr. Luja sends a specimen of this
plant in formalin, from which we have been enabled to make a photograph
(fig. 514), the first photograph that has been printed of this
species. But Mr. Luja's specimen raises the question if it is not the
same species as Clathrus pusillus of Australia. Heretofore we have
supposed the difference to be a color distinction, but Mr. Luja's
specimen still retains its color, and it is red, not olive. I wish we had
a better knowledge of the Australian plant.
BOOKS FOR SALE.
u T ^OSe desiring to purchase books on -American Mycology should communicate
Carrie Hefbst, fK u
Trexlertown, Pa., who has for sale the library of her
lather, the late Dr. Herbst. This collection embraces some works that are very hard
obtain, such as Peck's early Reports, Stevenson's British Fungi, etc.
POLYPORUS MYLITTAE,
v An art'016 published by Alfred J. Ewart in the Proceedings of the Royal Society
K ": t0na> ' ex P lains tne mystery of why the sclerotium of this fungus is so
abundant in Australia and so rarely develops' fruiting bodies. In order to
the
produce
fruiting body, the sclerotium must be exposed to light as well as heat and
moisture. Mr. Ewart developed in four days, by exposure to light, the Polyporus
mcation five inches in diameter, on sclerotium that had remained buried for
more than two years in the earth. I wish some one would try this method on our
American tuckahoe, and see what the result would be.
518