OF BRITISH FUNGI. 87 



our notice, we will not attempt the somewhat difficult 

 task of defining it so as to be comprehended by our 

 non-scientific readers, except by stating in general 

 terms that the hymenium or fructifying surface is 

 almost destitute of folds or projections. No fungus is 

 more common or better known than Stereum hirsutum, 

 which is found on stumps everywhere. The leathery 

 pileus spreading out from its matrix, hairy on its 

 upper surface, of a colour bordering upon olive, zoned 

 with a darker tint, and bearing a yellowish margin. In 

 size it is generally three or four inches across, and 

 several pilei are often closely arranged one above 

 another. Many others in this group are nearly equally 

 common, did the limits of our work permit of their 

 description and illustration, but as more important 

 genera are still unnoticed we must content ourselves, 

 with again referring to the synopsis. 



CLUB-BEARING FUNGI. 



IN this order (Clatariei) another change of form 

 takes place. We have herein, grouped together, a 

 series of club-shaped, or branched, fleshy fungi, with 

 the hymenium scarcely distinct from the portion which 

 bears it, and often obtaining a great expansion of surface 

 by means of multiplied and intricate ramifications. The 

 most beautiful examples are not met with in Britain, 

 but those which we have may serve to give a general 

 idea of the more magnificent kinds which vegetate in 

 the Alpine regions of Europe. Some of the species 



