206 FOOTNOTES FROM 



ferns they all possess a peculiar odour by which they may 

 be easily recognised, although it is somewhat different 

 in different individuals, some smelling strongly of cinna- 

 mon and bitter almonds, others of onions and tallow, 

 while others yield an insupportable stench. The foetid 

 charnel-house smell of the common stinkhorn (Phallus 

 foetidus) may be felt at a distance of several hundred 

 yards, when the wind is blowing in one's direction, and 

 leads infallibly to its detection, when otherwise it might 

 escape observation, covered, as it usually is, with leaves 

 and broken sticks. Like putrid meat it attracts flies, 

 which are always buzzing about its head ; and a few in- 

 dividuals are sufficient to make a whole wood intolerable. 

 Bad as this species is, there is another, if possible, in still 

 worse odour the Clathrus, which happily is not found in 

 this country, although abundant on the Continent. Like 

 the curious leafless Stapelia, it diffuses a most loathsome 

 stench, which is utterly insupportable at close quarters. 

 This, with its putrid, hideous -looking, raw -flesh -like 

 structure, has originated the popular superstition among 

 the peasants of the Landes, that it is capable of produc- 

 ing cancer ; and hence they cover it carefully over with 

 leaves and moss when they come across it in the pine- 

 woods, lest by accident some one should touch it, and be 

 infected with the disease. As regards their tastes the 

 fungi are equally diversified, being insipid, acrid, styptic, 

 caustic, or rich and sweet. Some have no taste in the 

 mouth while masticated ; but shortly after swallowing, 

 there is a dry, choking, burning sensation experienced at 

 the back of the throat, which lasts for a considerable time. 

 Variety is the great characteristic of divine workman- 



