276 FUNGI. 



The Clathrns is a handsome plant of the same order, 

 and excells the Wood-witch in its abominable perfume. 

 Our one English species (C. camellatus) is peculiar to the 

 south of England and Ireland. It is red, and branched 

 like coral or scaling wax. 



The third order of the envelope class, that of Tricho- 

 gastres, is characterized by a single or double envelope, 

 enclosing the hymenium, which presently turns to dust 

 and threads. 



The group of Earth Stars (Geaster) is the prettiest of 

 the Order. Here there are two strong envelopes, the 

 first bursts early in the life of the plant, and immediately 

 tears into equal segments, turning back, and lying upon 

 the ground in a starry form. The second remains entire 

 till the spores are ripe, then it opens in the centre, and 

 allows them to escape. Mr. Broome gave me specimens 

 of the Hairy Earth Star (G. fimbriatus, Plate XIX., Jig. 

 3), which he found in great abundance about Bath. 



The brown puff-balls, which we find in pastures so 

 frequently, belong to the next group, Bovista (B. nigrescens, 

 Plate XIX., Jig. 4). We used to gather them as children, 

 on Hungry Hill, near Ripon ; and there is no neighbour- 

 hood, in which I have sojourned in autumn, where I have 

 missed the familiar bag of dust. The Scotch call them 

 Devils snuff-boxes. There is a smaller species somewhat 

 lead coloured, it is quite as common (B. plumbea). 



The giant puff-ball is commonly found in the Swale- 

 dale pastures. It grows to a great size, and in its youth 

 forms a wholesome and pleasant dish, compared by some 

 to sweetbreads (Lycoperdon giganteum). This puff-ball 

 is used to smother bees, or rather, by its fumes to induce 



