348 Rev. M. J. Berkeley on British Fungi, 



and smooth, papillate, very variable, often triangular spores. The 

 tint varies according to the quantity of spores. Some specimens 

 have but little scent ; others, especially the larger ones, are power- 

 fully foetid. 



295. Hymenogaster olivaceus, Vitt. 1. c. p. 24; H. populetorum, 

 Berk. Brit. Fung. Fasc. 4. no. 304. Abundant in the neighbour- 

 hood of Corsham, Wilts, during the greater part of the year, 

 C. E. Broome, Esq. 



I am now convinced that I have too hastily considered this as 

 identical with H. populetorum, Tul., of which I have authentic 

 specimens. It agrees perfectly in outward appearance and in the 

 nature of the cells, but there is more diiference in the sporidia 

 (which are very much smaller and of a different form and texture) 

 than is consistent even with the known inconstancy of form, not 

 merely in different individuals but within the same peridium. The 

 spores are precisely what are represented by Vittadini under H. 

 olivaceus ; but in the absence of authentic specimens of that spe- 

 cies, and with the hesitation on the part of Messrs. Tulasne, to 

 whom specimens were communicated to refer it definitively to 

 H. olivaceus, I cannot but speak cautiously myself. 



The species varies in size from that of a hazel-nut to that of a 

 walnut. Peridium at first white, slightly tinged with lemon-co- 

 lour; cells at first white, gradually becoming of a dull buff, and 

 then of a reddish gray or brown. The smell is exactly like that 

 of Ag. theiogalus, or in some specimens of Ag. gambosus, with 

 rather less pungency than in the pink-fleshed species to be de- 

 scribed presently. Spores ovate, shortly pedicellate, with an ab- 

 rupt, elongated, sometimes irregular apex ; in general smooth and 

 transparent, and containing two or three nuclei, but sometimes 

 slightly rugose, though by no means opake as in H. citrinus. The 

 colour within is far less bright than in H. luteus, from which also 

 it differs as regards the sporidia. It is possible, from some more 

 or less important differences which occur amongst the species as 

 regards the size of the cells, &c., that there may be one or more 

 species confounded with it, but in this department of fungi great 

 caution is needful. Messrs. Tulasne remark in one of their letters, 

 " la forme des spores n'est pas tres constante, et n^est pas toujours 

 suffisante pom' caracteriser les especes ; il faut voir les plantes 

 vivantes bien des fois, les suivre dans leurs developpemens et sur- 

 tout les recueillir soi-meme car quelques heures d^ exposition k la 

 lumiere, le toucher ou le moindre accident modefient singuliere- 

 ment leur couleur et leur aspect. ^^ These judicious remarks I 

 have borne especially in mind, as I have not been able to collect 

 the species myself; I have not however had merely my own eyes 

 to trust to, but Mr. Broome has himself taken the greatest pains 

 in observing every change of form, and illustrating his remarks 



