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 Tremellze, none merit insertion here. The curious 
Jew’s ear (Hirneola auricula-Jud@, 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 (Hypog@i) 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.t Neither 
amongst the Phalloidei do we meet with species of any economic 
value. The gelatinous volva of a species of Lleodictyon is eaten 
by the New Zealanders, to whom it is known as thunder dirt; 
whilst that of Phallus Mokusin is applied to a like purpose in 
China;f 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, pl. 1. 
+ Berkeley, M. J., ‘‘ Outlines of British Fungology,” p. 293. 
+ Berkeley, M. J., ‘‘ Introduction to Crypt. Bot.” p. 347. 
§ Cooke, M. C., ‘A Plain and Easy Guide,” &c,, p. 96, 
