482 15RITISII FUNGI 



M. hamhusinus. — This is an introduced species that has occurred 

 once on the roots of a bamboo from Java. It bears a general re- 

 semblance to M. caninus in size and shape, differing in the red pileus 

 occupying nearly half the length of the stem, and in the very 

 offensive smell, \\'hich is much more intense than that of Ithyphallns 

 impudicus. 



Lysurus 



Volva ample ; stem erect, hollow, cellular, surmounted by four 

 to six acutely elliptical lobes, wrinkled, and with a central groove on 

 the outside, bearing the mucus containing the spores on their inner 

 surface. 



L. austmliensis. — Volva and stem whitish, apical lobes bearing 

 the hymenium, dingy, 3-4 in. high. 



An Australian species. The spawn or mycelium, or the spores, 

 probably introduced along with wheat from that country. 



ASERCE 



Receptacle stipitate, expanded at the apex into a disc, from the 

 margin of which radiate several tapering, straight or curved lobes ; 

 spores contained in the mucus situated on the disc. Volva large. 



A. rubra. — Volva large, whitish, edge torn into lobes ; stem 

 stout, hollow, white, rosy, or red ; the perforated disc and spreading 

 rays bright red. Stem i-ij in. long, spread from tip to tip of the 

 rays, 1^-2 in. 



An Australian species, introduced to Kew along with plants. 

 The whole fungus resembles a stalked, red sea-anemone. 



Clathrus 



Universal veil at first entirely closed and subterranean, becoming 

 torn into irregular lobes at the apex, due to the growth of the 

 sporophore, and remaining as a volva at the base of the fungus ; 

 sporophore forming a subglobose, hollow network, covered with 

 mucus, including the minute spores. 



Distinguished by the peculiar structure of the receptacle or 

 sporophore, which consists -of a hollow sphere liounded by stout 

 branches anastomosing to form an irregular network. 



C. cancellatus. — Volva whitish, with irregular teeth at the margin, 

 thickish ; receptacle 2-5 in. across, branches of the network 

 wrinkled, varying from dingy red or purplish to vermihon, at first 

 covered with dark olive-green mucus containing the very minute 

 spores. Exceedingly foetid. 



One of the most beautiful and curious of our fungi, but un- 

 fortunately very rare, and confined to the South of England. I once 

 collected a very fine specimen in the pine woods near Bournemouth, 

 and have grown two specimens that were sent to Kew in the " egg " 

 condition, from \\oods near Haslemere. The one drawback to a 



