Rev. M. J. Berkeley on British Fungi. 347 



in outline and very dark^ while others project very much and are 

 paler and barren. In other specimens again the spores are nearly 

 of the normal form^ and the sporophores but little darker than 

 the neighbouring cells. If I am not mistaken, the cells vary very 

 much in different specimens, and even in different portions of the 

 same individual, as to length, thickness, articulation, &c., which 

 is not to be wondered at, if the sporophores, which are modifica- 

 tions of them, and their spores vary. The length of the peduncle 

 also varies extremely, and occasionally, though rarely, the spores 

 are as much acuminated as in H. olivaceus. Were it not for this 

 circumstance, I should have thought, from a sketch communicated 

 by Mr. Broome, that he had met with H. decorus, Tul. I also 

 observe, that amongst the abortive spores a large number have 

 no trace of the terminal papilla. This may perhaps illustrate 

 the state or variety of Melanogaster amhiguus, to be noticed pre- 

 sently. 



I have not hesitated in these observations to bring a portion 

 of the Truffles into contact with other Hymenogastrous Fungi, 

 leaving the ascosporous species to come in their proper position 

 amongst those fungi which agree with them in the structure of 

 the parts of fructification. The relation between the two series is 

 merely analogical, for there is no real affinity whatever, the ge- 

 neral resemblance arising merely from their common place of 

 growth. 



I am indebted for the greater part of the Hypogseous Fungi 

 which I have now the pleasure of recording as British to the un- 

 wearied researches of C. E. Broome, Esq., who has also accom- 

 panied his specimens with notes and sketches, which are the more 

 necessary as no fungi stand more in need of an inspection, not 

 merely in a recent state but in their place of growth, and under 

 the different phases of evolution, than the Truffles. In consequence 

 of not being able to do this, though I have had hundreds of spe- 

 cimens sent to me in a recent state, my observations are still very 

 imperfect, and will not for a moment bear comparison with those 

 of Messrs. Tulasne, to whom I am indebted both for information 

 and specimens. Those who are interested in the subject will do 

 well to consult their short memoir in the 19th volume of the 

 ' Annales des Sc. Naturelles,^ a memoir of such interest, as, though 

 confessedly a mere sketch, to raise to the highest pitch one's ex- 

 pectations from the full detail which they promise, I have been 

 so fortunate as to see a large quantity of the illustrations pre- 

 pared for the more complete history of the French species, than 

 which nothing can be more beautiful. 



294. Hymenogaster luteus, Vitt. 1. c. p. 22. Rudloe, Wilt- 

 shire, C. E. Broome, Esq. Abundantly. 



Distinguished by its bright permanently yellow hymenium, 



