Helvellacese 



Morcheiia. fessor Peck arranges the genus into two groups, "in one of which the 

 margin of the cap is wholly attached to the stem, in the other it is 

 free." In the latter group are M. bispora and M. semilibera. 



The species are so much alike that botanical descriptions are omitted 

 of all but M. esculenta and Professor Peck's species. 



Not one of the Morells is even suspicious. They are favorites wher- 

 ever found. The Morell is one of the few species known to the settler 

 and to the farmer. It loves old apple orchards, probably because ashes 

 have been used about the trees ; ashes and cinders are its choice fertil- 

 izers. In Germany peasants formerly burned forests to insure a bounti- 

 ful crop. Mr. Moore, of San Francisco, Cal., says: "We find it in 

 profusion on burnt hillsides all along the Pacific coast." 



But it does not confine its habitat to burned surfaces. It grows in 

 thin open woods or on borders of woods. It grows under pine, ash, 

 oaks and other trees. 'Strange to say it grows under the walnut tree 

 where very few fungi of any kind grow. Especially does it love the 

 white walnut or butternut. 



Morcheiia dry well and keep well for winter use. 



M. esculen'ta Pers. esculent. (Plate XLVI, fig. 2, p. 2 14.) Pileus 

 globose, ovate or oblong, adnate to the stem at the base, hollow, ribs 

 stout, forming irregular, polygonal, deep pits, pale dingy yellow, buff 

 or tawny, 1.25-2.5 in. high and broad. Stem stout, whitish, almost 

 even, hollow or stuffed, 1.25-2.5 in. high, .8 in. and more thick; asci 

 cylindrical, 8-spored. Spores continuous, smooth, hyaline, elliptical, 

 ends obtuse, 19-20x10/01, paraphyses rather slender, slightly thickened 

 upward. 



On the ground. Spring and early summer. Edible. 



Variable in form, size and color, but distinguished by the pileus 

 being adnate to the stem at the base, and the stout ribs anastomosing 

 to form irregular, polygonal pits of about equal size, and not elongated. 

 Mas see. 



Common over the states, West Virginia, Pennsylvania, New Jersey. 

 In orchards, on ashes and cinders, under walnut, pine and oak trees. 

 May and June. Mcllvaine. 



The common Morell varies in size, 24 in. high, sometimes larger. 

 The cap, usually broader than it is long, oval, at times tapering to a 

 rounded top. The cavities resemble those of a weather-beaten honey- 



542 



