4IO BRITISH FUNGI 



types of Cantharellus, which in other respects generally resemble 

 species of Cniterellus, and are often confounded by beginners. 



EXOBASIDIUM 



The only truly parasitic genus in the Thelephoraceae. Forming 

 gall-like blisters on the leaves of various species of Rhododendron. 

 It is a remarkable fact that all the known species of Exobasidium 

 are parasitic on plants belonging to the order Ericacese. 



Aldridgea 



Resupinate, effused or vaguely spreading, subgelatinous when 

 growing, cartilaginous or rigid and collapsed when dry ; hymenium 

 smooth, even ; spores coloured. 



Alhed to the genus Coniophora in the coloured spores, but readily 

 distinguished by the soft, gelatinous consistency when growing. 

 Soppittiella, a genus differing from Aldridgea in having warted in- 

 stead of smooth spores, is joined to the last-named genus in this 

 work. 



A. gelatinosa. — Broadly effused, rather fleshy, subgelatinous, 

 palhd, becoming dry and collapsed and purple-brown, margin 

 determinate. 



On heaps of sawdust, chips, etc. Spreading for several inches, 

 irregular in form. 



A. sebacea (PI. XXXII, fig. 7). — Fleshy, soft, then rigid, very 

 variable in form, whitish at first, hymenium collapsing when dry 

 and becoming tinged brown or cinnamon. Smell none. 



Running up stumps, twigs, grass, etc., forming irregular, crust- 

 like or stalactitic growths. 



A. fastidiosa. — White, becoming cream-colour, forming shapeless, 

 encrusting masses on various substances, hymenium more or less 

 warted, becoming tinged brown. Smell strong. 



Readily distinguished by the very foetid smell, especially when 

 bruised. 



On the ground, leaves, twigs, etc., running over everything in its 

 path, forming a thin, irregularly branched film. 



A. cristata. — Much resembling A. fastidiosa in habit, colour, and 

 size, but readily distinguished by the entire absence of smell. 



A. C(^sm.— Effused, thin, soft, bright grey. 



Forming large, thin, subgelatinous patches running over the 

 ground, wood, moss, etc. ; looks like a thin Corticium, and more 

 especially resembles Peniophora Crosslandi, but distinguished from 

 both by its coloured spores. 



A. Crustacea. — Broadly encrusting, rather fleshy, hymenium 

 irregularly warted, umber-brown, often with a purplish tinge, 

 margin filDrillose, whitish. 



