108 THE WOODLANDS. 



-another fungus, usually somewhat larger and more 

 irregular in form, may be found. It is of a dull pinkish- 

 white colour, of a rather peculiar tint, with a very 

 .short, thickish stem and brittle substance. This may 

 be recognised at once by the under-side of the cap 

 consisting not of gills or veins, but being covered with 

 little pointed teeth or spines, packed close together, 

 like the spines of a hedgehog, so that this has been 

 -called the "Hedgehog Mushroom." 1 It may be 

 cooked and eaten, but the flavour is rather strong, 

 which to some palates would be unpleasant. It is 

 noteworthy that this fungus affords an example, in 

 the spiny character of the under-side of the cap, of a 

 .group of fungi which botanists call Hydnum^ repre- 

 sented by several other less common, or less im- 

 portant species which occur in this country. 



HEDGEHOG MUSHROOM. 



It is not unusual in fir woods, or under clumps of 

 fir-trees, to find a little dark brown " Hydnum" grow- 



1 Hydnum repandum. 



