488 



HYMENOGASTRACE.E 



Melanogaster 



continuous with the peridium. Spores 3-5, subsessile on the basidia, 

 smooth, usually coloured. (Fig. 141.) 



The absence of a distinct rooting base, the branched fibres 



Fig. 141. A, B, Melanogaster ambiguus Tul., entire and in section. Natural size. 

 C, basidium and spores. X 500. D, basidium and spores of M. variegatus Tul. X 500. 



traversing the whole surface of the peridium, and the smooth spores 

 are characteristic. Species 2102, 2103 



2102. M. variegatus Tul. (from the variegated gleba) a b c. 

 Irregularly globose or nodular-oval. Pe. adpressedly tomentose, 



at first yellow or ochreous, then dark reddish-ferruginous. Gl. 

 blackish with indigo-black cells. Trama white, whitish or 

 bright orange. 



More or less exposed above ground during growth, covered with leaves and 

 twigs. Taste sweet and approved by many when cooked ; odour sharp, 

 strong, aromatic, agreeable, not unlike bitter almonds. Under beech, 

 poplar, oak. June-Nov. 2^ in. Spores 10 X 5 /*, ; elliptic-oblong. Eaten 

 on the Continent, harmless but hardly pleasant. Sold half a century or 

 more ago as an esculent in Bath under the name of Red Truffle. Var. 

 JBroomeianns Tul. Trama dull white or yellowish, never bright yellow or 

 orange. Usually gregarious, some two or three inches beneath the surface 

 or half exposed. Scentless when young but soon acquiring a sweet, treacley 

 odour, or a scent of decaying pears. 



2103. M. ambiguus Tul. (from its being doubtfully a true species ; 



ambigiius, doubtful) a b c. 



Irregularly globose or oval-nodular. Pe. nearly even, pale olive 

 then reddish-brown. Gl. jet- or slate-black. Trama buff- 

 white or white. 



Highly fetid of assafcetida. Under beech, poplar, oak, fir. April-Oct. 

 if in. Spores 13-15 X 7-8 fj. ovate, papillate. Var. intermedius Tul. has 

 n. yellowish trama which becomes red in drying. 



