186 A CATALOGUE OF BRITISH POISONOUS FUNGI. 



Genus PHALLUS 



(LI.) PHALLUS IMPUDICUS ; The Stinkhorn. (PI. XIV. fig. 2.) 



Habitat. In woods, among gi-ass, weeds, fern. In dry ditches. 

 Singly. 



Season. August to October. Uncommon. 



Fileus. About two inches high, green-grey, conical, hood- 

 shaped, apex perforate, surrounding top of stem, adherent at 

 margin, reticulate with polygonal cells which contain a viscid, 

 greenish exudation. 



Stem. Four to eight inches high, whitish, thick, closely and 

 finely scx'obiculate. Volva cup-like and adnexed at base ; investing 

 the whole plant in youth. 



Section. Substance of pileus gelatinous, inclosed in mem- 

 branaceous coats. Stem hollow, its substance thin, white, and 

 firm. Odour abominably foetid. 



Obs. Flies are attracted by the stench of this plant, and cats are said to be 

 also drawn to it. The stink in a room has caused illness. Krombholz asserts 

 that it contains a poison ; but Cooke states that a friend of bis eats the stem, 

 and says it makes a relishing dish I The form of the plant has in all ages led 

 to the belief that it possessed aphrodisiac properties, which is not likely to be 

 the case, however. There is a kindred species (Cynophallus caninus ; PI. XIV. 

 fig. 1), though of a different genus, very like the Stinkhorn in shape and smell, 

 but much smaller, with imperforate red hood. It is as common, according to 

 my experience, and probably of like quality. — W. D, H, 



OBDEB TBICEOGASTBES. 



Genus SCLERODERMA. 



(LIL) SCLERODERMA VERRUCOSUM ; The Warty 

 Earth-ball. 



Hahitat. On sandy and gravelly soils, in undisturbed places. 

 In gi'oups. 



Season. September to November. Not common. 



Habit. Globose, sub-stipitate, rooting, one to three inches 

 diameter, drab, or brownish. Peridium thick, hard, strong, per- 

 sistent, covered with numerous prominent warts, thinnest at top. 

 Stem, when present, thick and lacunose. 



Section. Flesh whitey-grey, soon purple-brown or black, even- 

 tually a brown powder. Odour earthy. 



Obi. The powder of the ripe plant is intensely irritating to the eyes or 

 mncous membrane. It is asserted that the species contains a poisonous principle 

 in all stages, probably narcotico-acrid, and virulent enough to have sometimes 

 proved fatal, liut little can be gleaned about it. — W. D. II. 



