the more brightly, and when wrapped up in five folds of
paper the light penetrated through all the folds on either side as
brightly as if the specimen was exposed; when, again, the specimens
were placed in the pocket, the pocket when opened was a mass of light.
The luminosity had now been going on for three days. Unfortunately we
did not see it ourselves till the third day, when it had, possibly
from a change in the state of electricity, been somewhat impaired; but
it was still most interesting, and we have merely recorded what we
observed ourselves. It was almost possible to read the time on the
face of a watch even in its less luminous condition. We do not for a
moment suppose that the mycelium is essentially luminous, but are
rather inclined to believe that a peculiar concurrence of climatic
conditions is necessary for the production of the phenomenon, which is
certainly one of great rarity. Observers as we have been of fungi in
their native haunts for fifty years, it has never fallen to our lot to
witness a similar case before, though Prof. Churchill Babington once
sent us specimens of luminous wood, which had, however, lost their
luminosity before they arrived. It should be observed that the parts
of the wood which were most luminous were not only deeply penetrated
by the more delicate parts of the mycelium, but were those which were
most decomposed. It is probable, therefore, that this fact is an
element in the case as well as the presence of fungoid matter."

In all cases of phosphorescence recorded, the light emitted is
described as of the same character, varying only in intensity. It
answers well to the name applied to it, as it seems remarkably similar
to the light emitted by some living insects and other animal
organisms, as well as to that evolved, under favourable conditions, by
dead animal matter--a pale bluish light, resembling that emitted by
phosphorus as seen in a dark room.

Another phenomenon worthy of note is the change of colour which the
bruised or cut surface of some fungi undergo. Most prominent amongst
these are certain poisonous species of _Boletus_, such, for instance,
as _Boletus luridus_, and some others, which, on being bruised, cut,
or divided, exhibit an intense, and in some cases vivid, blue. At
times this change is so instantaneous that before the two freshly-cut
portions of a _Boletus_ can be separated, it has already commenced,
and proceeds rapidly till the depth of intensity has be