98 FUNGI. 



certainly wholesome, but they are of little importance as edible 

 species. Sparassis crispa, Fr., is, on the contrary, very large, 

 resembling in size,* and somewhat in appearance, a cauliflower ; 

 it has of late years been found several times in this country. 

 In Austria it is fricasseed with butter and herbs. 



Of the true Tremellae, none merit insertion here. The curious 

 Jew's ear (Hirneola auricula- Judce, Fr.), with one or two other 

 species of Hirneola, are collected in great quantities in Tahiti, 

 and shipped in a dried state to China, where they are used for 

 soup. Some of these find their way to Singapore. 



The false truffles (Hypogai) are of doubtful value, one species 

 (Melanogaster variegatus, Tul.) having formerly been sold in the 

 markets of Bath as a substitute for the genuine truffle.f Neither 

 amongst the PJialloidei do we meet with species of any economic 

 value. The gelatinous volva of a species of Ileodictyon is eaten 

 by the New Zealanders, to whom it is known as thunder dirt ; 

 whilst that of Phallus MoJcusin is applied to a like purpose in 

 China ;| but these examples would not lead us to recommend a 

 similar use for Phallus impudicus, Fr., in Britain, or induce us 

 to prove the assertion of a Scotch friend that the porous stem is 

 very good eating. 



One species of puff-ball, Lycoperdon giganteum, Fr , has 

 many staunch advocates, and whilst young and cream-like, it is, 

 when well manipulated, an excellent addition to the breakfast- 

 table. A decided advantage is possessed by this species, since 

 one specimen is often found large enough to satisfy the appetites 

 of ten or twelve persons. Other species of Lycoperdon have 

 been eaten when young, and we have been assured by those 

 who have made the experiment, that they are scarcely inferior 

 to their larger congener. Bovista nigrescens^ Fr., and Bovista 

 plumbea, Fr., are also eaten in the United States. More than 

 one species of Lycoperdon and Bovista appear in the bazaars of 

 India, as at Secunderabad and Rangoon ; while the white ant- 



* Berkeley, M. J., in "Intellectual Observer," No.' 25, pi. T. 

 t Berkeley, M. J., "Outlines of British Fungology," p. 293. 

 J Berkeley, M. J., "Introduction to Crypt. Bot." p. 347. 

 Cooke, M. C., "A Plain and Easy Guide," &c., p. 96. 



