A CATALOGUE OF ESCULENT BRITISH FUNGI. 137 



(194.) LYCOPERDON GIGANTEUM; The Giant Puff-ball. 



Habitat. In pastures, grass fields, parks, etc. Solitary. 



Season. August to October. Common. 



Habit. Globose, from four inches to two feet in diameter, white, 

 in age dirty green. Peridium smooth like kid, sometimes floccu- 

 lose and rimose. Base attached by few fibrils. Flesh firm, white, 

 light, in age yellow-green dust, when the peridium is rent above 

 to discharge it. Odour and taste faintly aromatic. 



Obs. The best edible Puff-ball, and also the largest. It may be sliced from 

 the top while growing, and a fresh slice taken off daily.— (F. D. H. 



(195.) LYCOPEEDON PUSILLUM; The Little Puff-ball. 



Habitat. In meadows. Scattered. 



Season. June to September. Common. 



Habit. Globose, half to two inches in diameter, cream- white, 

 then yellowish and brown. Peridium flaccid, persistent, thickish, 

 rough, slightly plicate below. Base slightly rooting. Flesh white, 

 at length yellow-brown dust. Odourless. Flavour bland. 



Obs. A good kind to eat raw, with salt and bread or biscuit, with or without 

 butter. Very delicate. — IV. D. II. 



(196.) LYCOPEEDON PYEIFORME; The Pear-shaped Puif- 

 ball. (PL XV. fig. 2.) 



Habitat. On conmions, heaths, and about decaying stumps. 

 In tufts. 



Season. August to October. Common. 



Habit. One to three inches high, dirty-white, soon brown ; 

 elongate, ovate, pyriform, umbonate. Peridium membranaceous, 

 squamulose. Base distinct, rooting by long fibrils. Flesh dingy, 

 columella conical, eventually brown dust. Odour slight. Taste 

 good. 



Obs. Of inferior quality, the flesh being woolly and the flavour not so good. 

 — W.D.H. 



(197.) LYCOPEEDON SACCATUM ; The Tall Puff-ball. 

 Habitat. Glades and borders of woodlands. Solitary. 

 Season. August to October. Uncommon. 

 Habit. Tall, erect, ovate, elongate, obtuse, variable, ding 



