pounds, so that one will suffice for the repast of a numerous family. It represents a small bush garnished 

 \nth shells, about fifty shells on the same stem, the entire plant being a foot across, and nearly as much high ; 

 one homogenous substance, the flesh very white, firm and brittle. The under side of the shells appears pricked 

 with a piu and ' crible de petit pores ', which are not deep, but very apparent ", (Traits des Champignons) 

 Paulet. On account of the large size of these pores, Fries calls our present subject P. intyhacem to distin- 

 guish it from a variety mth small ones, for which he retains the ridme J^rondosus ; the latter is at present 

 unknown iii England. Some confusion exists between this and P. giganteus, but they can scarcely be mis- 

 taken for each other when living specimens have been compared. The synonymes given by Persoon, etc., 

 are confused, and therefore in the present case none are admitted that are not undoubtedly correct. The 

 figm-e in Sowerb/s Fungi is very unhke nature : a rare fault in that moimment of patient industry. 

 Withering's Boletus frondosiis is probably Polyporus giganteus ; by giving a portrait of the latter shortly, and 

 pointing out the differences between it and the present subject, inexperienced collectors may be guarded 

 against mistake ; at present one important difference will suffice. 



On removing the grass-roots &c., it wiU be found that the blunt solid stem of P. intyhaceus is carried 

 up two inches or more, and quite clear of them, before it begins to ramify ; this is shown in tlie section, and 

 is a distinction peculiarly belonging to tliis plant, for though P. giganteus has many large leaf-like divisions 

 proceeding from a common centre, they are not " confluent with a common stem " , as is the case here. 

 P.gigantexis also will be found to proceed directly fi'om decaying stiunps, whereas P. intyhaceus has no decided 

 connection with them. 



No fungus is more higlily esteemed as an article of food than tliis. Eaten raw, the taste is very agree- 

 able, but it leaves a sUght astringency upon the palate. The directions for cooking the Cantharelhs apply 

 strictly to it ; but possessing no peculiar flavour, which would suffer by foreign admixture, a bouquet of fine 

 herbs as for omelettes, may be added to the gravy. It is usually fricasseed, with some eggs in the sauce, and 

 must be a very desirable fast-day dish. It may however be noted, that whereas in eating most funguses, 

 we select the pileus, and throw away the stem, in the present case the choice is reversed, the fronds, at least 

 then- extremities, should be trimmed off, and the solid white stems sent to table. The accounts handed 

 down of funguses which were a load for a wain, apply, not to such as have a central stem surmounted by a 

 single pileus, ' mushrooms ' so monstrous could have suited none but Titanic feasts, but to this Polyporus or 

 some of its congeners, consisting of a "buisson", as Paulet styles it, of " cJiapifeaux" . 



