33-i INTRODTJCTION TO CRTPTOGAMIC BOTANY. 



Podaxon (Fig. 5, c) it is peculiarly close. In that genus, the 

 outer wall frequently splits in a spiral direction. 



358. This order contains a few articles of food, though not 

 in general of much importance. The gelatinous volva of 

 Ileodictyon is eaten in New Zealand, but it must be a very 

 unpleasant kind of food ; and the same part of Lysurus 

 MoJcusin is eaten by the Chinese. A species of Secotium, in 

 Australia, is said to be extremely good and delicate ; but pro- 

 bably the best of all is Lyco2oerdon giganteum, which, when 

 young, is considered excellent by all who have partaken of it. 

 A species of Lycoperdon is commonly sold in the bazaars at 

 Secunderabad, but I have not yet received specimens. Bovista 

 plumbea is sometimes eaten in that condition, and I have 

 myself partaken of it ; but I am, perhaps, not sufficient of an 

 adventurer in such viands to pronounce it good, where any- 

 thing else can be procured ; a verdict which I should be inclined 

 to give of some other esculent Fungi which are highly lauded. 

 One group consists entirely of truffle- like species, mostly of a 

 small size, and a heavy disagreeable smell. Melanogaster 

 variegatus is, however, often sold in the market at Bath ; but 

 it must be very inferior to the common truffle. The contents 

 of several species of puff-balls, but more especially of Lyco- 

 perdon giganteum,, are used to stanch blood ; and it has 

 lately been discovered that the fumes of the same substance, 

 when ignited like tinder, have a "property somewhat resem- 

 bling that of. chloroform, and may be used, therefore, to stu- 

 pify bees, or even in other cases where asther or other antES- 

 thetics are employed. Racodium cellare has the same pro- 

 perty, but soils the honeycombs. 



359. As regards distribution, Gasteromycetes are found in 

 all quarters of the globe. They are abundant in some parts 

 of the tropics, and such genera as Podaxon and Secotium are 

 scarcely found ; except where the temperature is tolerably high, 

 or the climate equable. Secotium occurs in a miserable form 

 in the south of France, but under one of great beauty in New 

 Zealand. One or two species of GyrophragTnium occur 

 in the Russian steppes, or in the south of Europe, and 

 Podaxon is found in Africa ; while Montagnites, in addition 



