Spore-sac Fungi — Ascomycetes 



are edible and highly esteemed. They must be looked for during 

 wet weather, early in the season. They may be classed in two 

 groups, according to the attachment of the stem. 



I— MARGIN OF CAP UNITED TO THE STEM 



Cap rounded or oval Morchella esculenta 



Cap oblong or cylindrical Morchella deliciosa 



Cap conical or oblong conical ; broader than stem Morchella conica 



Cap conical or oblong conical ; scarcely broader than stem. Morchella ancusticeps 



11— MARGIN OF CAP FREE FROM THE STEM 



Cap free from the stem to the middle Morchella semilibera 



Cap free from the stem to the top Morchella bispora 



GENUS HELVELLA 



The genus Helvetia contains twelve species. They 

 all have lobed, irregular, or saddle-shaped caps, which 

 are fleshy, and attached to the stem at the apex. They 

 are contorted in such a way that no two of the species 

 appear alike. 



Helvella 



Helvella elastica 



(See Plate Facing Page 140) 



Ca/— Brownish grey. Cup-shaped, flattening out when mature ; 



when young, the under surface is covered with little spines 



or hairs. Both surfaces are smooth when mature. 

 Stem — Slender, of the same colour as the cap, tapering toward 



the cap. Solid and white within. 

 Habitat— l\\t specimen pictured was found growing beneath 



hemlocks and yellow birches, in Lake- Placid forest, during 



September. 



D^-lIsh-l-o'-si An-g:us'-ti-s«ps Bl'-spSr-S 



CSn-I-ci SSm'-i-Ub'-Sr-a E-lSs'-ttc-a 



142 



