438 BRITISH FUNGI 



tened and cut at the tip into several slender, pointed branchlets. 

 Distinguished by the grey colour. Edible and, to my taste, one 

 of the best as regards flavour. 



On the ground in woods, etc. 



C. gigaspora. — Hj^menophore small, brandling irregularly, some- 

 times almost palmate, branches erect, sohd, cylindrical or flattened, 

 tips blunt ; stem not distinct, greyish with a yellowish tinge, rather 

 tough (spores colourless, smooth, broadly elliptical, large, 12-16 

 X8/.). 



Differs from C. cinerea, small forms of which it resembles, in the 

 much larger spores. 



Among moss in heathy places. Rare. 



*** Plants violet. 



C. amethystina. — Hymenophore much branched, branches round, 

 even, tips blunt, violet, 1-3 in. high (spores subglobose, 5-7 //. 

 diam.). 



Usually much branched, but sometimes almost simple. Known 

 by the violet colour. 



Among grass in woods and pastures. 



C. conchyliata.- — Hymenophore minute, very slender, at first 

 simple with the tip toothed, then dichotomously branched, violet, 

 becoming paler ; stem reddish yellow, mycelium filamentous, 

 white, about ^ in. high (spores colourless, globose, 2 "5-3 //. 

 diam.). 



Recognized by the brilliant violet colour of the branches. 



On naked ground under hazel. Gregarious. Rare. 



**** Plants reddish, yelloiv or rosy. 



C. forniosa (PI. XXXIV, fig. i). — Hymenophore with a stout, 

 fleshy, elastic, stem-like base which divides into numerous crowded, 

 erect branches that become tliinner upwards and divide at the top 

 into several thin, erect, simple or toothed branchlets ; stem and 

 main branches pale ochraceous with a tinge of red ; terminal 

 branchlets yellow, 3-4 in. high (spores colourless, elliptical, 12-15 



X4-5 /^)- 



Plants often crowded and forming patches extending for several 

 feet. Basal portion of stem sometimes whitish. 



On the ground in woods. 



C. botrytes.- — Hymenophore with a thick, fleshy basal portion, 

 giving origin to numerous crowded, thick, irregular branches whicli 

 are thickened at the tips and broken up into numerous densely 

 crowded, reddisli, toothed branchlets, the larger branches and flesh 

 white ; tuft 3-6 in. across, 3-4 in. high (spores colourless, elliptical, 

 12-14x5-6 /a). 



The ultimate branchlets vary in colour from clear rose to dingy 

 red. Looks like the heart of a cauliflower. 



On the ground in woods. Rare. 



