SADDLE FUNGI 



141 



Figure 107. IIelvella lacunosa 



Helvella elastica 

 Tough Helvella 



Cap 1-4 cm. witU' and lii,ij;li. 

 grayish to brownish or l)lark.isli. not 

 wrinkled, usually two-lobed and 

 saddle-shaped, but often irregular ; 

 stem 3-6 cm. b\' 4 (> mm., whitish 

 or grayish, not ribbed, slender, 

 tough, hollow ; spores clear, el- 

 liptic, smooth. 16-20 X 10-12/x. The 

 name refers to the elastic stem. 



Common on the ground in 

 woods, usually in troops ; edible, but 

 the stems should be removed, or 

 cooked separately for a longer time. 



GYROMITUA 



Much like Helve 1 1 a, but 

 the cap more irregular, scarcely 

 saddle-shaped, more or less inflated 

 and folded, and the edge united in 

 places with the stem. One species 

 of the genus, (i. in f u 1 a. has been 

 placed in both genera. (} y r m i- 

 tra csculcnta is reputed to 



Figure 108. Helvella crispa 



