162 



667. EXIDIA AURICULA- JDD.E (continued). 



and for Auricularia mesenteries, p. 319. Other species are often substi- 

 tuted for it, but may be distinguished by not swelling up in water nor 

 becoming gelatinous. Another species of Jew's ear (E. hispidula) is used 

 in China and Japan as a food, under the name of moghi (tree-ears), and 

 also in some parts of India. In this country it was formerly used as an 

 astringent in sore throat ; also like a sponge to apply collyria to the eye. 

 Per. Mat. Med., vol. ii., pt. i., p. 52. Bentley, Man. Bot., p. 704. This 

 fungus belongs to the natural order Tremellini. See also Dr. Porter 

 Smith, Mat. Med. China, p. 99. P. J. [3] , vol. i., p. 681. 



668. MORCHELLA ESCULENTA, L. 



a. Fungus. (Morel.) 



Note. The morel is a native of Britain, occurring in shady woods, but 

 is imported from the Continent for sale in Covent Garden Market, etc. 

 It is chiefly used as a flavouring ingredient in cookery. Per. Mat. Med., 

 vol. ii., pt. i., p. 53 ; and for 'fig. p. 54, fig. 45. This fungus belongs to 

 the natural order Helvellacei. 



669. MTLITTA LAPIDESCENS, Horan. (Carom-pallagum of Travancore.) 



a. Fungus. (Lui-liwan of China.) 



Note. This fungus is used in China for worms, several infantile 

 diseases, and impotency. Its Chinese name, signifying thunder-balls, is 

 given to it from its asserted power of destroying worms and casting out 

 devils. Porter Smith, Chinese Mat. Med., p. 154. In Travancore it is 

 used for urinary complaints. See P. J. [2], vol. ii., p. 546. 



670. PACHYMA Cocos, Fries. 



a. Mycelium. (Indian Bread, Tuckahoo, Fuh-ling.) 



Note. This substance is similar in appearance to the rhizomes of 

 Smilax China, but may be distinguished by not containing staich. It is 

 white inside, with usually a reddish tinge towards the outside. It is 

 usually met with in fir plantations, and is often attached to the roots of 

 the trees. It is said by Porter Smith to be exported to India under the 

 name of Chob-China. See Porter Smith, Chinese Mat. Med. , pp. 165 and 

 198, art. Smilax. It is composed almost entirely of pectine. It is used 

 in febrile and dyspeptic complaints and also made into small square 

 cakes with rice flour, which are sold for food in Hankow. See P. J. [3], 

 vol. iii., p. 763 ; [2] , vol. iii., p. 421. For fig. of the fuh-ling, see Linn. 

 Trans., vol. xxiii., p. 94; and Journ. Linn. Soc., vol. iii., Bot., p. 102. 



671. POLYPORUS FOMENTARIUS, Fr, (Dingy-hoof Polyporus.) 



a. Fungus. 



6. Ditto, prepared. (Amadou.) Two specimens. 



Note. This fungus is found chiefly on the oak and birch. Amadou is 

 made by cutting it into slices, and beating it. It is used for corn plaister, 

 etc., and has the advantage over lint of not losing its elasticity. German 

 tinder is formed by soaking it in a solution of nitrate of potassium. The 

 Polyporus belongs to the natural order Polyporei, in which the hyme- 

 nium, or spore-bearing surface, lines numerous tubes instead of gills. 



