OF NEW SOUTH WALES. 279 



appearance of only just having left the hands of the polisher; and 

 this beautiful species may be met with at times 18 inches in dia- 

 meter, though those of 3 or 4 inches are by far the most brilliant. 

 A large species of Clavaria, resembling masses of coral, is sure 

 to attract attention. This species will only be found where the 

 scrub is dense and damp, and on logs which are much decom- 

 posed. In this situation may often be seen a large white (when 

 fresh) species of Hypoxylon. This and the last species are 

 thought by C. E. Brooms, Esq., of Bath, England, a great 

 authority on Fungi, and to whom T am indebted for most of my 

 knowledge in mycology, to be new species. Here also the Jew's 

 ears fungus, Exidia auricula Judce, Fr., will be seen in abundance. 

 This species is said to be exported from Tahiti to China to be 

 used in the preparation of soups. Himeola polytricha, Mont., is a 

 somewhat similar fungus, but usually met with in more open 

 country, and is easily distinguished by the velvety hairs of its 

 upper surface. Among the beauties of this family must be 

 reckoned the large goblet-formed Thelephora laniellata, B. and C, 

 which at times will be found to measure near a foot across — bat 

 nothing I think can surpass the beauty of a log covered with 

 Lentinus descendens, Fr, This species is of a cream color, and 

 has not the rough exterior of the several other Australian species, 

 neither does it form so complete a funnel. Polyporus fruticum, 

 Berk., is a most extraordinary fungus, that attaches itself to the 

 small branches of the heads of some of our scrub trees, giving 

 to them the appearance of being laden with fruit. This species 

 is of a very light spongy substance, and from 1 to 4 inches in 

 diameter. Before quitting this curious family of plants, I must 

 point out a lovely little pure white-capped species to be usually 

 found on the loose dark brown bark of Wormia alata, Laschia 

 Thwaitesii, B. and Br. The many interesting representatives of 

 this much neglected family in Australia will some day yield a 

 rich harvest to the Mycologist. 



Among the many singular plants met with in Northern 

 Queensland, none are perhaps more grotesque in appearance 

 than the thick fleshy Hydnophytum formicarum. F. v. Muell., 



