

57 



Its whiteness and beauty (see plate) make it a very conspicuous 

 object, and one who has once seen a large specimen of this plant 

 is not likely to forget it or to mistake it, except for closely related 

 species. It belongs to another family of the Hymenomycetes or 

 Free-spored Mushrooms, viz. the Hydnaceae. These fungi are 

 noted for having the hymenium arranged on spines or tubercles, 

 which are ordinarily situated on the under side of the cap, but 

 when they grow, as does this plant, either on the upper or under 

 side of a log, the spines may be considered as growing either on 

 the upper or under side of the cap. There are several closely re- 

 Ifttely species of Hydnum belonging to this section of the plants, 

 but as they are all edible, and as this is the only one found in our 

 neighborhood, one will answer for all. The plants vary from 6 

 to 8 inches high, and as much or more across. The tufts are 

 pendulous or upright, compact, white or with a yellowish tinge 

 when old or dry. The spines are from ^ to % of an inch long, 

 round, and pointed. The branches come off in every direction 

 and are short. 



This plant when washed and minced, and then cooked like 

 oyster-stew, makes an excellent dish. 



Puff Balls. 



Lycoperdon, of different species. Plate X. 



Very few would suspect that these common plants, filled when 

 ripe with a powdery dust consisting of mingled spores and tissue, 

 and looking at this time any thing but appetizing, are when young 

 solid, white within, nearly all edible, and some delicious. In the 

 plate are shown four plants of two different species. Two are 

 mature, have opened by an irregular chink at the top, and are 

 ready to eject the spores. Two are cut open and are exposed 

 each with one cut side down, the other up. In the larger, the 

 spores have begun to form though it is still of solid consistency, 

 and the spore-bearing portion is taking on a yellow color. The 

 plant is too old to be at its best, though it is not hurtful even at 



