A CATALOGUE OP ESCULENT BRITISH FUNGI. 139 



Pileus, Two to three inches high or broad, bay-brown, white 

 and tomentose underneath ; bullate, inflate, snb-orbicular, lobulate, 

 undulate, gyroso-plicate. Margin adnexed to stem. 



Stem. One to two inches high, pinkj-white, smooth, even, 

 villose. 



Section. Flesh finn, white, hollowed out in irregular cavities. 

 Odour and taste pleasant. 



Oba. In the raw state it contains an actually poisonous principle, which is, 

 however, so sparingly diffused that a large quantity of the Loroliels must be 

 eaten for it to prove dangerous. The poison is removable by the simple 

 method of preparation I have elsewhere detailed. Lorchels are very abundant 

 in North and Middle Germany, and are brought to market there in huge 

 quantities. They are extremely nourishing food. The facts in regard to the 

 properties of the species have lately been demonstrated by Ponfick. Th4 

 genus comes between the Morels and Helvels, differing from the first in it3 

 pileus not being pitted, and from the last by greater solidity. — W. D. H. 



Genus HELVELLA. 



(201.) HELVELLA CEISPA; The Common Helvel. 



Habitat. In woods, among grass and moss. In groups. 



Season. October and November. Common. 



Pileus. Free, lobed, deflexed, bent all ways, crisped, pallid on 

 upper sides, pale tawny below, pinky when dry. 



Stem. Two to five inches high, white, glabrous, stout, deeply 

 lacunose and canaliculate. 



Section. Flesh white, elastic. Stem fissured throughout. Odour- 

 less. Taste good. 



Ohs. It gives me the idea of a piece of old kid glove crumpled up and stuck 

 on tue top of a worm-eaten cabbage-stalk. The stem is here the principal part 

 in regard to flesh. In chapter vii. This species is perhaps the commonest, 

 and is of first-class quality. — W. D. H. 



(202.) HELVELLA ELASTICA ; The Little Dark Helvel., 

 (PI. XLIX. fig. 3.) 



Habitat. In woods. In small groups. 



Season. September and October. Common. 



Pileus. Bistre, dark grey, mitre-shaped, lobed, free, inflated, 

 uniform on both surfaces, thin, pendulous. 



Stem. Tint of pileus, pale, elongate, slender, attenuate, pruinose 

 not lacunose, hollow. 



Substance. Thin, greyish, elastic. Odourless. Taste good. 



Obs. Slight, but if plentiful it makes a very good viand. — W. D. H. 



