446 



MUSHROOMS, BDIBLE AND OTHERWISE 



Hydnum pulcherrimum. B. & C. 



Most Beautiful Hydnum. 



Pulcherrimum is the superlative of pulcher, beautiful. 



The pileus is fleshy, somewhat fibrous, alutaceus, hirsute ; the margin thin, 

 entire, incurved. 



The aculei short, crowded, equal. 



Figure 375. Hydnum pulcherrimum. Showing the under side of one of the pileoli. 



It is found on ibeech wood, frequently imbricated and laterally confluent; a 

 single pileus two to five inches in breadth and projecting two to four inches. The 

 spines are rather short, not exceeding a quarter of an inch. 



The entire plant is quite fibrous and has a hirsute surface. The color varies 

 from whitish to alutaceous and yellowish. It is not common with us. Figure 375 

 represents one of the pilei showing the spines. 



