A CATALOGUE OF ESCULENT BPJTISH FUNGI. 133 



ORDER TBEMELLINL 



Genus HIRNEOLA. 



(183.) HIRNEOLA ATJRICULA-JUDJE ; The Jew's-ear. (PL 

 XII. fig. 2.) 



Habitat. On elder-trees, etc. In gi-oups. 



Season. October to May. Common locally. 



Habit. Irregularly cup-shaped., ear-shaped, one to two inches 

 deep, two to four inches across ; thin, soft, elastic ; exterior dusky, 

 grey-brown, wrinkled, velvety-tomentose. Hymenium on interior 

 surface, dingy flesh-pink, corrugate, convolute, ear-like, interstices 

 smooth. Sub.stance gelatinous, horny when dry. Odourless. Ta.ste 

 insipid. 



Ohs. According to monkish legend, this is the ear of Judas, wliich sprouts 

 for ever upon the tree on which he hung himself. In China this and kindred 

 species are accounted great delicacies, and are imported at great expense from 

 New Zealand, Tonga, and Samoa, and in huge quantities. I have tried the 

 Jew's-ear both there and here, but do not Und it nice. In Europe it has been 

 regarded as a medicine, but it possesses none of the qualities assigned to it. 

 Eabelais mentions it as eaten in salad (Pantagruel, liv. iv.). It is simply a taste- 

 less, mucilaginous viand. — W. D. H. 



Genioi TREMELLA. 



(184.) TREMELLA FIMBRIATA; The Dark Jelly-sprout. 



Habitat. On stumps, logs, branches, etc., in wet. In tufts. 



Season. September to November. Uncommon. 



Habit. Purple-black or dusky olive, two or three inches broad, 

 gelatinous, tremulous, soft, elastic, amorphous ; erect, undulate, 

 lobulate, corrugate, dilate. Margin fimbriate. Substance jelly- 

 like. Odourless. Tasteless. 



Ohs. Used abroad to colour and thicken soup. It yields a good colour by 

 infusion. It is nutritious, but almost flavourless. It can be dried, and will 

 revive when soaked in water. — W. D. H. 



(185.) TREMELLA LUTESCENS ; The Yellow Jelly-sprout. 



Habitat. On stumps, logs, branches, twigs. In tufts. 



Season. September to January. Uncommon. 



Habit. Amorphous, .small, pale yellow ; jelly-like, tremulous, 

 soft, elastic, undulate, lobulate, gyrose, entire. Substance gela- 

 tinous, not watery. Odourless. Flavoui'less. 



Ohs. Used in Germany as a substitute for Morels. Of little value. — W. D. H. 



