OF BRITISH FUNCU. 



105 



The sporidia of many of the Pezizce are ejected from 

 the hymenium with such force, and in such profusion, 

 that they form a cloud or vapour of minute sporidia in 

 the air around the plant from whence they are expelled. 

 In some of the genera of this order the surface of the 

 hymenium is greatly enlarged by folding or plaiting, 

 so that there are deep fissures or cavities, which give 

 such a distinct feature to the plants, that there is little 

 fear of confounding them with other species. 



In the order Elvellacei we meet externally and 

 superficially with the appearance of a return to the 

 pileated forms encountered in 

 the commencement of our sur- 

 vey. The hymenium is at length 

 more or less exposed, and some- 

 times borne on a stem. In the 

 genus Morchella the hymenium 

 is folded upon a stalked recep- 

 tacle, these folds forming deep 

 pits, at times irregular, at others 

 definite in shape. In such species 

 as have the pileus free at the base, 

 the external contour reminds one 

 at first of a conical-capped 



Agaric; but this resemblance no longer obtains when 

 it is remembered that the hymenium is borne on the 

 upper surface, and not on the under, as in Agarics 

 and Boleti. 



The MORELL (Morchella esculentd) is chiefly em- 

 ployed in this country in the dried state as a seasoning 



