264 



FUXG1. 



deep tubes, quite distinct from one another. Our one 

 British species (Fistulina hepatica, Plate XVIII. , fig. 7), 

 is a scarce fungus, we have found it growing from trees 

 in Longleat Park, Wiltshire ; and some of our friends 

 have it from Stoneleigh Park, Warwickshire. These good 

 people were adventurous, and having heard that the 

 unsightly fungus was as wholesome food as the beef- 

 steak which it so closely resembles, they ordered it to be 

 cooked, and proceeded to eat it. They described the 

 flavour as similar to that of veal cutlet, and they experi- 

 enced no evil effects from partaking of the dish. Their 

 relatives were much agitated by the transaction, and the 

 adventurers were awoke at daybreak, by inquiries 

 regarding their state of health. 



The small order of Hydnei succeeds that of Polyporei, 

 its distinguishing feature being the spines, over which 



the fruit-bearing stratum is 

 spread. The Spread Hyd- 

 num (H. repandum, Plate 

 XVIII, fig. 8) is edible. 

 Berkelev describes it as deli- 

 cate and agreeable in flavour, 

 and quite wholesome. We 

 have found it abundantly 

 1. hymeniumofpolyporus. in the Bedgebuiy woods, and 



2. DO. OF BOLETUS. • 1 • - 1 r 



3. do. of hydxum. more sparingly in those of 



Wiltshire and Herefordshire. 

 The spines thickly besetting 

 the under surface of the cupola remind one of stalactites 

 in a cavern. In Kent we found another pretty species, the 

 zoned Hydnum (H. Zonatum). This is a much smaller 



DO. OF HYDNUM. 

 4. DO. OF FISTULINA. 



All Magnified. 



