100 FUNGI. 
Caroliniana, Bosc., in the Southern United States of America. 
W. G. Smith records the occurrence in Britain of specimens of 
Morchella crassipes, P., ten inches in height, and one specimen 
was eleven inches high, with a diameter of seven and a half 
inches.* 
Similar in uses, though differing in appearance, are the species 
of Helvella, of which several are edible. In both these genera, 
the individuals can be dried so readily that they are the more 
valuable on that account, as they can be used for flavouring in 
winter when fresh specimens of any kind of fungus are diffi- 
cult to procure. The most common English species is Hel- 
vella erispa, Fr., but Helvella lacunosa, Fr.,is declared to be 
equally good, though not so large and somewhat rare. Helvella 
infula, Fr., is also a large species, but is not British, although it 
extends to North America, as also does Helvella sulcata, Afz. 
Intermediate between the morel and Helvella is the species 
which was formerly included with the latter, but now known as 
Gyromitra esculenta, Fr.t Itis rarely found in Great Britain, 
but is more common on the continent, where it is held in esteem. 
A curious stipitate fungus, with a pileus like a hood, called 
Verpa digitaliformis, Pers.,{ is uncommon in England, but 
Vittadini states that itis sold in the Italian markets, although 
only to be recommended when no other esculent fungus offers, 
which is sometimes the case in spring.§ 
Two or three species of Peziza have the reputation of being 
esculent, but they are of very little value; one of these is Peziza 
acetabulum, L., another is Peziza cochleata, Huds., and a third 
is Peziza venosa, Pers.|| The latter has the most decided nitrous 
odour, and also fungoid flavour, whilst the former seem to have 
but little to recommend them ; we have seen whole baskets full 
of Peziza cochleata gathered in Northamptonshire as a substitute 
for morels. 
A very interesting genus of edible fungi, growing on ever- 
* Smith, ‘‘Journ. Bot.” vol. ix. p. 214, 
+ Cooke, ‘“‘ Handbook,” fig. 322. 
Cooke, ‘‘ Handbook,” fig. 324. 
§ Vittadini, C., “‘Funghi Mangerecci,” p. 117, 
| Greville, ‘‘Sc. Crypt. Fl.” pl. 156, 
