85 



We have six out of ten British species. 



Genus 24. Pouothelium. Fr. 



Hymenium beset with minute papilloe which, at first closed, are at 



length pierced by a minute pore. 



Porothelium Friesii, Mont. On pine. Wraxall, Somerset. 



Genus 25. Fistulina.* Bull. 



Hymenophore fleshy \ hymenium at first papillose, the papilloe at 



length protruding, and forming distinct tubes. 



Fistulina Hepatica, Fr. On oaka. 



This curious fungus grows to a great size at times. Dr. Badham 

 mentions one measuring nearly 5 ft. round and weighing more than 

 8 lbs. ; and another is recorded on Mr. Berkeley's authority, 

 weighing nearly 30. It frequently resembles a tongue in shape, 

 structure, and general appearance. Dr. Badham says Cesalpinus 

 calls it " Linguae," and that its vulgar name in Italy is Lingua 

 Quercina. It is called Langue de Boeuf in France. In some states 

 it resembles a piece of liver, whence Persoon named it Boletus 

 Epaticus, and Fries, Fistulina Hepatica. It is of a blood-red colour, 

 with flesh-coloured, or yellowish tubes, which are prettily fringed 

 at their mouths. No fungus, says Dr. Badham, yields a richer gravy, 

 and when grilled it is scarcely to be distinguished from broiled 

 meat ; when old it is best stewed down for stock, rejecting the 

 flesh, but if young it may be eaten in substance, plain, or with 

 minced meat. It is so succulent as to furnish its own sauce. 



Fistulina Hepatica, Fr. On oaks. B. Outlines, pi. 17, fig. 1. 

 Huss. i., t. 65. The only species. 



Order III. Hydnei.\ 



Hymenium inferior, or partly inferior, clothing the surface of spines, 



teeth, or papilloe, not lining the interior of tubes, or pores. 



Genus 26. Htdnum. 



Hymenium inferior, formed of spines which are distinct at base, 



and clothed with the spores. 



This extensive genus, containing in the Epicrisis 96 species, is 



divided into sections characterized by the presence of a stem, either 



* Fistulina, from fistula, a pipe, 

 t Hydnei, from hydnon, a sort of solid mushroom. 



