Fungi.] 



FLORA OF NEW ZEALAND. 



187 



Gen. XXII. EXIDIA, Fries. 



Gelatinosa, tremula, submarginata, contextu rare floccoso, subtus sterilis, heteroplaca, supra rugosa, 

 callo hymenino, papillis heterogeneis consperso tecta ; sporis curvulis. 



This genus approaches much more nearly to Auricularini than other Tremellaceous Fungi, and indeed is almost 

 identical with Auricularia. Almost all the species are hispid underneath, though a splendid but small vermilion- 

 coloured species from New York is an exception. M Auricula- Judoe is common in all parts of the world, and one 

 or two very close allies abound in the tropics. The common species was used in medicine, but it is doubtful whether 

 it has any active properties. (Name from exsudo, to ooze out.) 



1. Exidia Mspidula, Berk, in Ann. of Nat. Hist. v. 3. p. 396. 



Hab. On stems of trees banging over water, Lake Mawe, Bay of Islands, River Wangaehu, on Cory- 

 nocarpus, etc., Ross, Colenso, J. D. H. 



Gen. XXIII. SECOTIUM, See. 



Volva universalis, demnm margine pilei rupta. Pileus stipitatus. Hymenium cellulosum, cellulis laby- 

 rintbiformibns persistentibus. 



This curious genus combines the characters of Boletus and Hymenangium. The hymenium is sometimes dis- 

 tinct, as m Boletus, but, in individuals of the same species, occupies besides a place above the insertion of the stem. 

 The species, which are as yet few in number, prefer the warmer temperate regions. One as yet undescribed affords 

 a delicious article of food in Australia. A. minute species has occurred in the south of Europe. If Lycoperdon trans- 

 versarium, Bose., is to be considered as a true Secolium, the characters must be slightly modified, as the volva in that 

 species is indehiscent. (Name from otjkos, an enclosure). 



1. Secotium erytarocepkalum, Tub, Ann. des So. Nat. 1844. Aug. p. 115. Sep. 1845. t. 9./. 5-17. 

 Hab. On the ground, Northern Island, Sinclair. Banks' Peninsula, Raoul. 

 Distinguished by its beautiful red obtuse pileus. 



Gen. XXIV. ASEEOE, Lahill. 



Volva globosa, intus gelatinosa, Receptamlum stipitatum, in radios longos subulatos seepe furcatos 

 di visum. Hymenium basi radiorum posituin. 



This beautiful genus occurs not only in New Zealand and Australia, but also in Ceylon ; and if Calathiscus, 

 Mont., be considered also a species, as connected with the older forms by that from Ceylon, in India. Like other 

 Phalli, the species emit a very disagreeable smell, which is scarcely compensated by their beauty. (Name from 

 a<nf]po<s, disagreeable.) 



1. Aseroe rubra, Labill. 



Hab. On the ground, Auckland, Sinclair. 



Varying in size and in the number of the rays ; but these are always continuous with the stem, and not divided 

 behind by a deep groove, as in the following species. 



* Aseroe Hookeri, Berk. ; minor, stipite transversim rugoso a receptaculo omnino discreto, radiis sub- 

 tus sulco divisis, laciniis longissimis. a. miniata. /3. viridis. (Tab. CV. Fig. 13.) 



Hab. On clay banks or hills, as at Kai Patika, /. D. II, Colenso. 



A much smaller species than the last, with a transversely rugose stem, and very long rays, which are strongly 

 grooved behind. The colour is sometimes of a more or less deep red, sometimes of a metallic green. The latter 

 form was fully described and figured in Hook. Lond. Journ. vol. iii. p. 193 ; but other specimens have now been re- 



