THE PAGE OF NATURE, 259 



and delightful article of food, and as a condiment to 

 heighten the flavour of ragouts. It is unfortunately by 

 no means common in this country. It grows usually in 

 woods, orchards, and cinder-walks in spring and early 

 summer. It presents a singular and easily-identified 

 appearance. It consists of a hollow stem from one to 

 three inches high, surmounted by a round or conical, 

 hollow olive -coloured cap about the size of an egg, 

 with its surface ribbed or latticed with irregular 

 sinuses. Its whole substance is wax-like and friable. 

 We are informed by Gleditch that morells grow in the 



FlO. 33. MORCHELLA ESCULENTA. 



Reduced half size. 



woods of Germany, in the greatest profusion in those 

 places where charcoal has been made. Hence those 

 who collect them to sell, receiving a hint how to en- 

 courage their growth, have been accustomed to make 

 fires in certain spots in the woods, in order to obtain a 

 more plentiful crop. This strange method of cultivating 

 morells being, however, sometimes attended with dread- 

 ful consequences, large woods and plantations being 



