CLASSIFICATION 437 



Densely crowded in compact tufts. Said by an old author to 

 resemble a bunch of candles (dips). 



Edible, with an excellent flavour resembling " cheese straws." 



Among short grass. Not uncommon. 



** Plants yellow. 



C. jusiformis (PI. XXXIV, fig. 4). — Hymenophores densely 

 tufted, elongated, spindle-shaped, tips acute, simple or rarely 

 somewhat branched, clear lemon-yellow, 2-3 in. high (spores 

 colourless, globose, 5-6 /x diam.). 



Known amongst the yellow species by its densely tufted habit of 

 growth and clear lemon-yellow colour. Taste bitter. Often be- 

 coming hollow and compressed. 



On the ground in woods, etc. 



*** Plants grey. 



C. fumosa. — Tufted. Hymenophore straight or slightly wavy, 

 fragile, soon hollow, tips usually pointed and often curved, smoky 

 brown or dusky ochre with a grey tinge, 2-3 in. high (spores colour- 

 less, elliptical, 6-8x4 1^)- 



On the ground among grass. 



C. Plants branched. 



* Plants white. {C. rugosa, placed under A section, is sometimes 

 branched.) 



C. cristata. — Hymenophore with a short, stout stem which 

 divides into numerous irregular branches that become flattened 

 upwards, and divided at the tip into sharp-pointed branchlets ; 

 axils rounded, entirely white or with a tinge of cream-colour (spores 

 pale ochraceous, subglobose, apiculate, 10x8 /*). 



Forming tufts 1-3 in. high, known by the flattened branches 

 being divided into several pointed branchlets resembling a stag's 

 horn. 



On the ground in woods. Not uncommon. 



C. kunzei. — Hymenophore rather fragile, very much branched 

 from tlie base, branches long, frequently forked and of about equal 

 height ; axils compressed, white or creamy white,' 1-2 in. high 

 (spores white, globose, 4 /x diam.). 



Distinguished amongst white species by the numerous erect, re- 

 peatedly forked branches and very small spores. 



In woods. Rare. 



** Plants grey. 



C. cinerea (PI. XXXIV, fig. 5). — Hj^menophore with a short, 

 thickish white stem which usually divides into numerous irregular 

 grey branches that are often compressed and wrinkled, 1-3 in. 

 high (spores subglobose, colourless, 7-9 /x diam.). 



Very variable both in shape and depth of colour. Plants gre- 

 garious or often crowded and forming extended patches. Branches 

 numerous and irregular, with only a few short branchlets, or flat- 



