OF BRITISH FUNGI. 79 



although neither of them is at all common in our 

 islands ; they are both of them peculiar in appearance, 

 from being broken up into numerous pilei, so as to 

 look like a dense cluster of separate individuals. 



P. intybaceus, the first of these, is strongly recom- 

 mended, and sometimes attains so large a size that 

 one fungus will weigh forty pounds and suffice for the 

 meal of a very large family. In cooking this species, 

 it is advisable to cut off the darker coloured pileus, 

 and only employ the white branching stem : when pre- 

 pared in this way, it is equal to any Agaric we possess, 

 according to the testimony of some, whilst all agree 

 that it is excellent. The odour is inviting, and we 

 would advise any who may meet with it to condemn 

 it to the stew-pan. 



P. giganteus is the other species to which we have 

 alluded, and which, with P. intybaceus, is more com- 

 mon on the Continent, where its esculent qualities are 

 known and duly appreciated. Both of these are found 

 growing on the trunks of trees, and sometimes attain 

 extraordinary dimensions. 



The trunks of trees, of various kinds, are often found 

 bearing a very conspicuous sulphur-coloured fungus 

 (P. sulfureus), consisting of a number of overlapping 

 pilei of the consistence of a mellow cheese. When 

 wounded, it exudes copiously a yellow juice, which has 

 been employed in dyeing, though it is doubtful whether 

 it is of any great value for such a purpose. As this 

 fungus dries, it becomes covered with beautiful crystals 

 of oxalate of potash, which might suggest the presence 



