CRYPTOGAMIA FUNGI. 155 



readily removed from the more firm and fibrous substance 

 beneath. The centre is pulpy, but the pulp is firm and 

 transparent. The cap is about an inch in diameter, covered 

 beneath with a continuation of the gelatinous and rough 

 coat of the stem ; and in this part of it the seeds appear to 

 be lodged. 



86. MORCHELLA. 



1. M. esculenta, stalk thick, hollow, dilated at the base; pileus 

 egg-shaped, cellular like honeycomb, its base united with the stalk. 

 HOOK. Scot. ii. 31. GREV. Werru Mem. iv. 378. Crypt. Fl. t. 68. 

 Fl. Edin. 417. Phallus esculentus, LIGHTF. Scot. 1043. WITH. 

 iv. 393. Helvella esculenta, Sow. Fung. t. 51, excluding the two 

 middle figures. 



Hob. Sides of woods on a sandy soil, rare. Sides of the 

 Whiteadder opposite Edrington-mill. 



This " is well known by the name of Morel^ and much 

 esteemed as an ingredient in sauces and soups, for which 

 purpose it may be preserved dried for many months, or 

 even years. The people employed in gathering morels in 

 Germany, having observed that they grew most plentiful- 

 ly where wood had been burned, proceeded to promote 

 their propagation by setting fire to the woods, till it was 

 found necessary to forbid that practice by law." SOWER- 



87. PHALLUS. 



1. P. fcetidus, wrapper egg-shaped; stem white, full of small 

 cavities ; pileus cellular, covered with a green mucous deciduous 

 substance Sow. Fung. t. 329. HOOK. Scot. ii. 18. GREV. Fl. 

 Edin. 418. Crypt. FL t. 213 and 214. Ph. impudicus, WITH. iv. 

 394. LIGHTF. Scot. 1044. BOLT. Fung. t. 92. 



Hob. Sides of woods in a sandy soil. Woods at Netherbyres ; 

 and at Drygrange, Berwickshire, Rev. A. Baird. Aut. 



At its first appearance this strange fungus resembles an egg 

 in shape and colour. In this state it remains a few days, 

 when it bursts the wrapper with violence, and " pushes up 

 with amazing rapidity, attaining the height of 4 or 5 inches 

 in a few hours." To explain this wonderfully rapid elon- 

 gation, it is worth while, says Dr GREVILLE, " to remark^ 



