Abstract
ON the recent introduction of this subject into the columns of NATURE it was understood, if not so expressed, that the inquiry was to be practically limited to the Hymenomycetal fungi, with the view of restricting it within a definite compass, and preventing too discursive a discussion. The limit was a very natural one, and included the best known and most appropriate objects for exhibiting the presumed attractiveness. Allusions have been made to another remarkable group, the Phalloidei, but facts applicable to this group would scarcely serve as illustrations of the Agaricini. Moreover, it must be admitted that with the Phalloidei the difficulties in the way of arriving at a conclusion are small. Strong fœtid odour and bright coloration are features almost universal, the object of which may fairly be accepted as attractive, to the end that the minute spores may be distributed, and the continuity of the species preserved. On this point nothing has been adduced beyond what is contained in Mr. Fulton's communication in the Annals of Botany for May 1889, on “The Dispersion of the Spores of Fungi by the Agency of Insects.”
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COOKE, M. Attractive Characters in Fungi. Nature 43, 393–395 (1891). https://doi.org/10.1038/043393a0
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/043393a0