267 



Boletus Satanas, Lenz. 



Fries gives no dimensions for this species in his Httmenomyeetes, but Berkeley 

 says it is sometimes 8 inches across ; from which it may be inferred that 8 inches 

 is considered to be a maximum. The largest specimens we have met with were at 

 one of the Woolhope Excursions, in which the pileus measured 9j inches, and the 

 total height was 7i inches, of which 4J was occupied by a stem, 4 inches in dia- 

 meter at the base. At the time and place alluded to there were some dozen large 

 specimens, but this was the finest. It is an attractive species when young, but 

 when old and bruised, has very little to save it from being kicked aside with 

 contempt. Presumably it is in that stage it merits the application of its specific 

 name " Get thee behind me Satan ! " 

 Sparassis crispa, Fries. 



Mr. Worthington Smith exhibited at one of the Epping Forays, two or three 

 years ago, the largest individual of this species it has been my privilege to see. I 

 have quite forgotten its dimensions save the characteristic description g^ven by 

 its exhibitor, that it was so larfre he h.ad to bring it in two baskets. I think it 

 was somewhere about half a yard in diameter, and occupied a table to itself. A 

 portion only of the smallest half was brought to Hereford for exhibition, and 

 that was equal to a full-sized cauliflower.* 

 Lycoperdon giganteum, Fl. Dan. 



A good-sized specimen was reported to me by i[r. W. Southall, of Birmingham 

 (yVugust 5th, 1884). He described it as 2 feet 9 inches in circumference, and was 

 then full grown (after nine days) and still white. It Was somewhat of the shape 

 of a flattened man's skull, with much brains behind.f 



This is nevertheless a dwarf compared with one stated to have been found in 

 the United States. Professor Bessey says it was of an oval outline, and measured 

 5 feet 4 inches in its longest diameter, and 4 feet 6 inches in its smallest diameter, 

 whilst its height was but 9i inches. Professor Call says of it, that it was much 

 larger than the largest washtub we had at home. Only imagine a slice from such 

 a Puff-ball fried for breakfast— only a yard and a half long. In the Freaks of 

 Plant Life I stated, that the largest Puff-ball was not so big as a somnolent sheep, 

 but here is one as large as a good fat sheep, and not unlike in form. 

 Morchella Smithiana, Cooke. 



This is naturally a gigantic species, as compared with the common Morel ; and 

 any dimensions we might record should not be regarded as more than the average 

 size of the species, but in speaking of gigantic Fungi it could not justifiably be 

 excluded. 



* The large Sparassis came from Mr. Malcolm McLean, gardener to J. Whatman, Esq., 

 Vinter's Park, Maidstone. It was found at the base of .Scotch Firs. It took two men to carry 

 the deal box in which it was packed, and the box afterwards became a spacious rabbit-hutch. 

 The Sparassis was very compact, solid, and heavy ; 3 feet 6 inches round ; 10 inches high above 

 the ground ; with solid heavy base of Mycelium for stjc inches beneath the surface. It was 

 divided and carried by two persons to Loughton in two fish baskets, one basket being sufficiently 

 heavy for one person to carry with convenience. — Ed. 



t A large Lycoperdon gigaHteunr, 5 feet 4 inches in circumference, is described in The 

 Gardeners' Chronicle, September 20th, 1884. — Eu. 



