Friesia X, 4-5

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large number of small, r oun d, black sclerotia of the imperfect fungus
Cenococcum geophilum FR. (syn. C. graniforme (Sow.) FERD. et
WINGE).
The occurrence of this fungus in cultivated soil was not known,
and a literary survey concerning the biology and distribution of t he
species was therefore made.
The collected soil samples were analysed for the content of sclero­
tia in order to elucidate the occurrence in arable soil in Denmark. The
soil samples were also analysed for 13 different edaphic fact or s,
which were related to the number of Cenococcum sclerotia found, in
order to disclose a possible correlation between the edaphic conditions
and the number of sclerotia .
NOMENCLATURE
Throughout the nineteenth century the name Cenococcum geophi­
lum FR. was used in the mycological literature. However, in their
monographic study of Cenococcum FR. FERDINANDSEN & WINGE (1925)
showed, from authentic material, that Ceno coccum geophilum FR.
(1825) is identical with Lycoperdon graniforme Sow. (1800) . After
their opinion the fungus should therefore be termed Cenococcum gra­
niforme (Sow.) comb. nov.
However, according to t he International Code of Botanical No­
menelature (1969) the starting point for valid publication of names
of fungi - with the exception of Uredinales, Ustilaginales and
Gasteromycetes - is the work by E. FRIES: Systema mycologicum,
I-III, published 1821-32. FRIES used the name Cenococcum geophilum
in Systema orbis vegetabilis, I, p. 364 (1825) and in Systema mycologicum,
III, p. 66 (1829), where he also cited Lycoperdon graniforme
Sow. as a synonym. Consequently Cenococcum geophilum FR. must
be considered the correct name for the fungus, and C. graniforme
(Sow). FERD. & WINGE is therefore a synonym.
LITERATURE
FERDINANDSEN & WINGE (1925) gave in their monographic study
a detailed survey of the mycological works on Cenococcum geophilum.
Below is given a short review of papers published after 1925, especi­
ally concerning C. geophilum's mycorrhiza-formation, geographical