678

the centre there was
a whiteish or gray
layer which seemed
to be the fas[?] from
which the spore forming
threads were apparently
developed.

Beneath this white
layer could be seen
the white threads
of the mycelium
running down into
the soil.

spores
[illustration]
white layer

If I have given
you sufficient data
will you please
[sic.] let me know
what it is? I found
it while digging
post holes and put
my spade through it
(before I saw what
it realy was thinking

at first that it
was only the excrement
from some bird.)

I notice you say, in
regard to [Astilago maydew?],
"it not infrequently makes
its appearance upon
the stems and even upon
the leaves." [sic.] Also,
Fischer von Wildheim says
"The ovary appears there
of an abnormal spongy
form." Now [the?]
question arose in my
mind one day, as
was walking through
a corn field, – what are
these [sic.] branches on
the corn stalk? I
have not succeeded in
finding any thing deffinite.
I thought perhaps