100 FUNGI. 



Caroliniana, Bosc., in the Southern United States of America. 

 W. G. Smith records the occurrence in Britain of specimens of 

 Morchella crassipes, P., ten inches in height, and one specimen 

 was eleven inches high, with a diameter of seven and a half 

 inches.* 



Similar in uses, though differing in appearance, are the species 

 of Helvetia, of which several are edible. In both these genera, 

 the individuals can be dried so readily that they are the more 

 valuable on that account, as they can be used for flavouring in 

 winter when fresh specimens of any kind of fungus are diffi- 

 cult to procure. The most common English species is Hel- 

 vella crispa, Fr., but Helvella lacunosa, Fr., is declared to be 

 equally good, though not so large and somewhat rare. Helvella 

 infula, Fr., is also a large species, but is not British, although it 

 extends to North America, as also does Helvella sulcata, Afz. 

 Intermediate between the morel and Helvella is the species 

 which was formerly included with the latter, but now known as 

 Gyromitra esculenta, Fr.f It is rarely found in Great Britain, 

 but is more common on the continent, where it is held in esteem. 

 A curious stipitate fungus, with a pileus like a hood, called 

 Terpa digitaliformis, Pers.,J is uncommon in England, but 

 Vittadini states that it is sold in the Italian markets, although 

 only to be recommended when no other esculent fungus offers, 

 which is sometimes the case in spring. 



Two or three species of Peziza have the reputation of being 

 esculent, but they are of very little value ; one of these is Peziza 

 acetabulum, L., another is Peziza cochlcata, Huds., and a third 

 is Peziza venosa, Pers. || The latter has the most decided nitrous 

 odour, and also fungoid flavour, whilst the former seem to have 

 but little to recommend them ; we have seen whole baskets full 

 of Peziza cocldeata gathered in Northamptonshire as a substitute 

 for morels. 



A very interesting genus of edible fungi, growing on ever- 



* Smith, " Journ. Bot." vol. ix. p. 214. 



f Cooke, "Handbook," fig. 322. 



J Cooke, "Handbook," fig. 324. 



Vittadini, C., " Funglii Mangerecci," p. 117. 



|| Greville, "Sc. Crypt. Fl." pi. 156. 



