146 MUSHEOOMS. 



in tufts on the ground near stumps of trees. 

 At first the disc is thin and brittle, with a 

 raised margin, much waved, becoming incised, 

 and finally spreads flat on the ground. 



MORCHELLA ESCULENTA = food. 

 The Edible or Common Morel. 



This is 2 to 4 inches high, stem about ^ inch 

 in diameter. The cap is of a dull yellow color, 

 olivaceous, darkening with age to a brownish 

 tinge. It is oval-shaped, with dark hollows. 



HELVELLA INFULA = name of a woollen head-dress. 

 The Cap-like Helvella. 



This species is named Infula, because it is 

 supposed to resemble in shape the sacred woollen 

 head-dress worn by priests of Rome, by sup- 

 plicants and victims, tied around the head by a 

 ribbon or bandage, which hangs down on both 

 sides. The stem is surmounted with a lobed 

 cap, with two to four irregularly drooping lobes 

 of reddish or cinnamon-brown color, and is 

 about 3 inches in diameter. The stem is 2 or 

 3 inches high, usually smooth, but sometimes 

 pitted. We found our specimen in the woods 

 in August. 



