OF BEITISH FUNGI. Ill 



is a large one, and the species exceedingly variable in 

 size, some having an expanse of several inches, whilst 

 others are microscopically minute. On account of dif- 

 ference in substance, this genus is subdivided into three 

 series, each of which contains three or four subgenera. 

 Although many of the Pezizas are exceedingly beautiful, 

 they are equally useless. It is true that one or two 

 species have been mentioned as affording a wholesome 

 and agreeable article of food, but it is questionable 

 whether they really deserve recommendation. The 

 localities on which these fungi are produced are as 

 variable as they are themselves in colour and size. A 

 great number may be found on the ground, others on 

 damp walls, on the branches and trunks of trees, on 

 stumps and decayed wood, on fir-cones, on plaster ceil- 

 ings and whitewashed walls, on sticks, rushes, dead 

 leaves, and gravel walks. Of those that are found on 

 wood, the majority confine themselves to trees of one 

 species or genus, whilst a few are less exclusive in their 

 " natural selection." 



Allied to this genus is that of Helotium, in which the 

 disc, instead of being at first closed as in Peziza, is 

 always open : the species are less numerous, but the 

 localities are similar. Nearly all the members of both 

 genera may be collected and dried by exposure to the 

 air, and kept, in company with a little cotton wool that 

 has been dipped in, or sprinkled with, oil of turpentine, 

 in small paper pill-boxes for future reference or exami- 

 nation. Some forms, especially of Peziza, resemble 

 the shields or receptacles of certain lichens, with 



