he peculiar species of
fungus belonging to them, but in certain cases the production is more
rapid and easy than in others. In this country, Mr. F. Currey has
been the most successful in the cultivation of _Sclerotia_. The
method adopted is to keep them in a moist, somewhat warm, but
equable atmosphere, and with patience await the results. The
well-known ergot of rye, wheat, and other grasses may be so
cultivated, and Mr. Currey has developed the ergot of the common
reed by keeping the stem immersed in water. The final conditions
are small clavate bodies of the order _Sphaeriacei_, belonging to
the genus _Claviceps_. The _Sclerotium_ of the _Eleocharis_ has been
found in this country, but we are not aware that the _Claviceps_
developed from it has been met with or induced by cultivation. One
method recommended for this sort of experiment is to fill a
garden-pot half full of crocks, over which to place sphagnum broken
up until the pot is nearly full, on this to place the _Sclerotia_,
and cover with silver sand; if the pot is kept standing in a pan of
water in a warm room, it is stated that production will ensue.
Ergot of the grasses will not always develop under these conditions,
but perseverance may ultimately ensure success.

A species of _Sclerotium_ on the gills of dead Agarics originates
_Agaricus tuberosus_, another _Agaricus cirrhatus_,[J] but this should
be kept _in situ_ when cultivated artificially, and induced to develop
whilst still attached to the rotten Agarics. _Peziza tuberosa_, in
like manner, is developed from _Sclerotia_, usually found buried in
the ground in company with the roots of _Anemone nemorosa_. At one
time it was supposed that some relationship existed between the roots
of the anemone and the _Sclerotia_. From another _Sclerotium_, found
in the stems of bulrushes, Mr. Currey has developed a species of
_Peziza_, which has been named _P. Curreyana_.[K] This _Peziza_ has
been found growing naturally from the _Sclerotia_ imbedded in the
tissue of common rushes. De Bary has recorded the development of
_Peziza Fuckeliana_ from a _Sclerotium_ of which the conidia take the
form of a species of _Polyactis_. _Peziza ciborioides_ is developed
from a _Sclerotium_ found amongst dead leaves; and recently we have
received from the United States an allied _Peziza_ which originated
from the _Sclerotia_ found on the petals of _Magnolia_, and which has
been named _Peziza gracilipes_, Cooke, from its very slend