DECADES OF FUNGI. 191 
serve them accurately in dried specimens. The texture of 
the pileus is nearly that of Thel. involuta, Kl. I have seen 
fine specimens of the present species in Dr. Montagne's col- 
lection marked Splitgerber, n. 1284. This species was not 
in the set of Hostmann’s Fungi described in a former volume. 
* Aseroe rubra, Labill.—Aseroe pentactina, Endl. Atakt. 
t. 50. Iconogr. Gen. Pl. cum Ic. (Ic. Nostr. Tas. V. A.) 
Sydney, N. S. Wales, Mr. Ludwig Leichardt. 
Mr. Leichardt has communicated to Sir W. J. Hooker a 
drawing and description made from the recent plant of this 
remarkable Fungus, and we gladly avail ourselves of the 
opportunity of laying the one and the other before the 
public, (See Tas. V. A). “The pileus," Mr. Leichardt 
observes, * is divided into 8 rays, each of which is forked ; 
the divisions being acuminated and slightly twisted. The 
centre of this pileus is perforated by a rather large irregular 
aperture, by means of which there is a communication with 
the cavity of the stipes and the atmosphere. A dark brownish 
moist matter covers the upper surface of the disc. The rays 
are of a fine bright scarlet above, while the under surface and 
stipes are of a pale rose-colour. An attentive observation 
With a lens exhibits minute openings, one at the base of 
each ray, which communicates with larger holes immediately 
beneath the upper layer of the disc, (f. 4.) The stipes, about 
1$ in length,* is hollow, as shown in the transverse section 
at f. 6, the walls being composed of a simple series of longi- 
tudinal cells, which enlarge upwards towards the disc, as 
shown at f. f. 4 and 5. The stipes is at the base surrounded 
by the volva to half its length. In making a vertical section 
9f the volva (f. 2.) an external and internal membrane are 
ily distinguished, between which a mucous substance is 
* On the inner membrane, from the point of con- 
nection of the base of the stipes and volva, seven whitish 
nds radiate. The roots are cylindrical, of loose tissue, 
anastomosing with each other. ani 
* The figure, Which is said to be of the natural size, represents a longer 
stipes, —E p, 
