86 A PLAIN AND EAST ACCOUNT 



Europe than with us, where it is regarded equally with 

 H. repandum, and in Austria especially it is included 

 amongst the esculent species. 



H. coralloides in its early stages greatly resembles a 

 cauliflower ; it is whitish and very much branched, 

 differing in appearance from any fungus which hitherto 

 we have encountered. It occurs on decayed trees and 

 stumps, especially of fir, beech, and ash. This is said 

 to be fully equal to H, repandum, but unfortunately 

 it, as well as the succeeding species, is rare in our 

 country. 



H. caput- -Medusas has very much the same habit and 

 appearance, being branched in a similar manner, but 

 has ultimately a greyish tint. It is also found on the 

 trunks of trees. Though rarely occurring in France, 

 it is common in Italy and in parts of Austria, where it 

 is reckoned among the edible species. The flavour of 

 both these is said to resemble greatly that of the com- 

 mon mushroom. 



No other species is recorded in this or the remaining 

 seven genera of the order, as of any service to man. 

 The student will find at the end of the volume the 

 names and characters of these genera, with an indication 

 of the number of indigenous species. 



LEATHERY FUNGI. 



THE fourth order,. Auricularim, has distinct peculia- 

 rities ; but as no member is of sufficient importance, on 

 account of the absence ofeconomic properties, to claim 



