18 OUTLINES or liRlTISII FUNGOLOGY. 



tively Elvellacei, from tlie typical genus Helvella (Plate 21, 

 fig. 4). 



A few of the PezizcB arc subterranean in their habits^, and 

 thus pave the way for the Truflfles {Tuberacei) (Plate 23, fig. 2), 

 which grow completely beneath the surface, answering to Hij- 

 pogcBi, p. 11, and which are well-known objects of commerce. 

 These vary greatly in structure and in the nature of their 

 fruit. The more common have a rough corrugated surface, 

 like the fruit of a Pine-apple, but others are perfectly even. 



To these succeed a host of hard or coriaceous species, of 

 which scarcely any attract general notice. One of the most 

 conspicuous is the round, black Fungus [Rhytisma acerinum), 

 so common on the leaves of difierent species of maples. The 

 group is distinguished by the common name of Phacidiacei, 

 from the genus Phacidium, of which a pretty species grows 

 on dead oak and beech leaves. 



These are followed by an enormous mass of plants, specimens 

 of which occur on almost every stick or stalk which we can pick 

 up in our hedges, woods, or gardens. Some of the finest occur 

 on insects. Those of our own country are in general but little 

 known ; but there are few of my readers who have not seen 

 the Caterpillar Fungus of New Zealand, which is one of the 

 finest in the section. One of the commonest examples is af- 

 forded by the old Sphceria Hypoxylon, which grows at the base 

 of stakes, gate-posts, etc., looking like the snufi* of a candle. 

 We have one or two larger species, but not so generally 

 knoTvjn. Some recommend themselves to notice by their 

 colour, as Nectria chinabarrinu, which is so common on old 

 sticks in gardens ; but the attraction of many consists entirely 

 in the structure of their fruit. The exotic species, which are 

 very abundant, are often remarkable for beauty and singu- 

 larity. These Finigi are called Sphceriacei. The club-shaped 



