82 A PLAIN AND EAST ACCOUNT 



The last genus in this order is Fistulina, which 

 bears much external and general resemblance to Poly- 

 porus, and was at one time included in it ; but is now 

 separated on account of the hymenium being at first 

 covered with little pap-like elevations which afterwards 

 elongate into distinct tubes bearing the reproductive 

 bodies. The only species we possess is termed F. hepa- 

 tica (hepar, Lat., the liver), from its colour, which 

 resembles that of liver. This fungus assumes a great 

 variety of forms. In its earliest stages it sometimes 

 looks like a strawberry, when more advanced it has 

 often the appearance of a tongue. One of its conti- 

 nental local names is Lingua di Castagna, which 

 applies to this resemblance. It is a fleshy, juicy fungus, 

 with an undivided, unstalked pileus, and when cut pre- 

 sents a bright streaky appearance, not unlike beetroot, 

 and contains a red juice ; the porous under-surface 

 is yellowish or flesh-coloured (PL 1 8) The trunks of 

 old oaks are very commonly the habitat of this species, 

 which occasionally attains a very large size. When old, 

 it becomes rather tough, but in all its stages it affords 

 an excellent gravy, and, when young, if sliced and 

 grilled, would pass for a good beefsteak. Specimens are 

 now and then met with that would furnish four or five 

 men with a good dinner ; and they have been collected 

 weighing as much as thirty pounds. The liver-colour 

 and streaky interior are sufficient guides whereby to 

 recognize this species under all its protean forms. Mrs. 

 Hussey says of it, that " if it is not beef itself, it is 

 sauce for it ; " and she recommends that it should be 



