The external coat of Bulgaria iiiquinans is bro'^yn not black, and sUglitly branny and rough ; if not a 

 beautiful Fungus, there is nothing repulsive about it, and as our object is to display, as far as our means ^vill 

 allow, the great variety of Nature's works in this neglected field. Mycology, it may often happen that in 

 carrying out the design, the showy and attractive ■nill be obhged to stand aside for a httle time, till the 

 imobtrusive have liad attention bestowed on them. 



The Bulgaria we are now considering, grows out from beneath the bark, taking its origin between 

 that and the wood, and finding its way to the surface, where the natural fissures give it an easier task. 

 Mr. Berkeley states that it is " not imcommon," but at Hayes we have only tviace found it, both times on 

 felled wood, from wliich it had pushed the decaying bark by its increase in volume. Very wet weather 

 evidently favours its developement, by swelling the tough elastic substance of the Fungus, as well as 

 softening and loosening the fibres of the bark. It appears late in autunui and endures through the winter, 

 shrinking into very small dimensions duruig frost, and expanding again under the influence of warm 

 showers. In spring the empty cups may be seen, spht, rolled back, divested of their contents, and of so 

 much of their character, that they may considerably perples the student ; it is always pleasant to " make 

 out" an object, to "solve a puzzle," and "conquer a difficulty;" a determination to do these tilings is 

 right in students of all branches of knowledge, otherwise we must candidly avow, and the most bigoted 

 Mycologist should admit, that error in tliis particular case is of no consequence to the general welfare of 

 mankind. 



