ACOTYLDEDONES — FUNGI. 431 



length nearly plane, the warts, gills and stipes white, stipes an- 

 nulate. Frequent in woods, where it is conspicuous hy its 

 bright colour. Said to be poisonous. — A. ccwipestris, the true 

 Mushroom ; distinguishable, by the purplish-brown colour of its 

 gills, from many other species that are esteemed at our tables, 

 and from many that are known to be poisonous. — Merulius 

 canthaiellus is abundantly eaten upon the continent, as well as 

 in England : M. lachrymans produces the dry-rot in timber. 

 BoLETUsybwie/itorms forms Amadou, or German tinder. MoR- 

 CHELLA escidenta is the MorelL Several species of Rhizomor- 

 PHA insinuate themselves between the bark and wood of trees, 

 and hasten the decay of the timber. — Some have the seeds or 

 sporides internal. Sph^hia, &c. — Uredo. Of this genus there 

 are two destructive species z \. U. Segetum ; a black dust, re- 

 siding within the fruit or glumes of grasses, especially of Wheat, 

 Barley, and Oats ; thus destroying the kernel and doing vast 

 injury to our crops, converting the part affected into a black 

 powder, and known by the name of brand, dust-brand, smut, 

 burnt-corn. This kind has no particular scent.-^ — 2. U. Caries, DC; 

 a brownish-black dust, consisting of larger grains than the last, 

 and filling the kernel itself of wheat, &c. with a fetid greasy 

 powder. Far more injurious than the last, and not externally 

 conspicuous, but causing the seed to swell, and thus to look 

 diseased. In thrashing, the breaking of these grains affects the 

 whole mass. This is known to farmers, as balls, bladder- or 

 pepper-brand, slinking-brand. — Puccinia : P. graminis, Pers.; 

 forming long blackish-brown parallel lines on the stem and 

 leaves of the Grass-tribe. It constitutes the blight, mildew, and 

 rust in corn, ^cidium Berberidis is the Barberry Blight. The 

 Ergot of Rye, Spermoidia Claims, is considered by some a Fun- 

 gus. In the same group of Fungi are found the Blucors or 

 mould of cheese, &c. the Tubers or Truffles, Puff-balls, and the 

 curious genera Geastrum and Phallus — See Vol. 2. P. II., 

 where all the British Fungi are described. 



