BOTANY 



RHODOPHYCE* (continued) RHODOPHYCE^ (continued) 



Ctramiacta (continued) Rhizophyllidaceee 



Ceramium acanthonotum, Carm. Polyides rotundus, Grev. 



Dumontiace* Corallinaceee 



Dumontia filiformis, Grev. Melobesia verrucata, Lamx, 



Dilsea cdulis, Stackh. Lithothamnion polymorphum, Aresch. 



Nemastomacea Corallina officinalis, Linn. 



Furcellaria fastigiata, Lamx. rubens, Ellis & Sol. 



FUNGI 



The investigation of the fungus flora of the county has unfortu- 

 nately been almost entirely neglected during recent years, and no list is 

 available, except that by Winch, published now nearly one hundred 

 years ago. 1 This list of some 250 species comprises chiefly those fungi 

 recognizable by the naked eye, and, as one would naturally expect at that 

 date, contains very slight reference to microscopic species. The old 

 nomenclature has been brought up to date, and the list given below 

 includes Winch's complete record, with the exception of some species of 

 which the determination remained doubtful, as well as additions from 

 the author's own observations. It probably does not represent one tithe 

 of the fungi to be found in the county, but it sufficiently indicates the 

 rich and varied flora which might be expected. Winch's observations 

 were very local, and largely confined to the woods on the banks of 

 the Derwent and the country around Darlington. The frequency with 

 which Medomsley occurs as a habitat shows that the woods in its 

 vicinity are remarkably prolific in genera and species belonging to this 

 group of plants. 



The Hymenomycetes are represented by many species growing in 

 great profusion in the damp woody denes. The poisonous but very 

 beautiful fly mushroom (Amanita muscarius) may be found in the woods 

 at High Force ; and in the pastures in upper Teesdale the brilliant 

 red Hygropborus coccineus forms a conspicuous object in autumn. The 

 destructive parasite Armillaria mellea is widely distributed, and is respon- 

 sible for the downfall of many pines and fine old beeches. It may be 

 recognized in the R/bizomorfba-stzge by a thick black network under 

 the bark. Three rare species of Lactarius (L. zonarius, L. plumbeus, 

 and L. acris) are recorded. Marasmius oreades growing symbiotically 

 with the grasses produces the well-known * fairy rings ' in many 

 pastures. Various species of Cla-varia, among them C. fastigiata, C. coral- 

 loides, and the rarer C. ametbystina, are found in plenty, their pale coral- 

 like branches peeping forth freely from the moist rich humus beneath 

 the trees. On fallen logs, especially of oak, the timber-destroying fungus 

 Stereum birsutum is everywhere met with. The large bracket-shaped 

 fructifications of the Polyporaceee form striking features projecting from 

 the trunks and branches of trees. Two rare forms of Polyporus found 

 are P.fuscidulus and P. Vaillantii; P. squamosus,P. bispidus, etc., occur as 

 parasites on various trees, the latter being especially destructive to the 



1 Batamifs Guide ttrougA the Countiet of Northumberland and Durham (1805-7). 



75 



