1 86 



INTRODUCTION TO THE STUDY OF FUNGI 



Fig. 75. — Cyttaria, with section. 



are too small for practical use. The two best known and ap- 

 preciated are the European Relvella crispa and Helvetia lacunosa. 



Corresponding to the 

 true Morels are the 

 seven species of Tree- 

 morels (Cyttaria) (Fig. 

 75), which grow on the 

 trunks of various species 

 of birch in the Southern 

 Hemisphere, Chili, Tierra 

 del Fuego, or Fuegia, 

 Tasmania, and New Zealand. In Fuegia they are so im- 

 portant as to constitute the staple food of the Fuegians 

 during many months of the year. In appearance they some- 

 what resemble the Morels, but are rather more gelatinous 

 and smaller. " Where Fungi form a large portion of the 

 food of the people, it is in general a sure indication of 

 an unproductive climate or 

 an extremely depressed 

 peasantry ; but it is possible 

 that the qualities of Cyttaria 

 (Fig. 76) may be superior 

 to those of other Fungi, 

 arising probably from its 

 immediate imbibition of the 

 elaborated gummy sap of 

 the matrix." * The other 

 esculents remaining are 

 nearly all the larger species of Peziza or Discina, which are 

 more or less eaten throughout Europe, but have very little to 

 recommend them. Discina venosa is sometimes sold under the 

 name of Morel. 



All the collections of Fungi hitherto made in tropical 

 countries have exhibited a preponderance of the large woody 

 species of Fomes and other Polyporei, which are not only persist- 

 ent through the year, but are also of a size readily to be seen 

 by the collector, and giving but little trouble in their preserva- 

 tion. On this account the minute and inconspicuous species 

 1 Berkeley, Introduction, p. 293. 



Fig. 76. — Beech Morel, Cyttaria Gunnii, 

 with section. 



