OF BRITISH FUNGI. 9J 



in its use as a medium for applying eye-water to weak 

 or diseased eyes, and similar purposes. Of late years it 

 is seldom to be met with in the herbalists' shops, and, 

 in England at least, its reputation and " occupation's 

 gone." The curious name it has appropriated to itself 

 may be traced to the ear-like form which it sometimes 

 assumes. It is not uncommonly found on elder stumps, 

 and sometimes on elms. A variety, shaped something 

 like a bird's nest, has obtained the distinctive appel- 

 lation of Nidularia, but its forms are by no means 

 permanent. 



The six orders already described, and in part illus- 

 trated, constitute that most important group called 

 Hymenomycetes, from the fact of the hymenium being 

 the most prominent feature. Space will not permit of 

 our entering so fully into the particulars of the succeed- 

 ing groups, which need be less regretted as many of 

 the members are exceedingly minute, and scarce any 

 present features of equal interest with those which 

 have hitherto occupied our attention. 



PEK1DIATE FUNGI. 



THE second family of fungi is termed Gasteromycetes 

 (G aster, Gr., a stomach ; mukes, a mushroom), which, 

 though in common with many others to be found in the 

 Appendix, a long and complicated name, truly repre- 

 sents the features of the group to which it is applied. 

 Herein the hymenium, or spore-bearing surface, is in- 

 closed within a covering called a peridium (from perideo, 



