HELVELLA. 9 
Eur.,” 1416; Fekl, “F. Rh.,” 2087; Klotzsch, «H. M.,” 
188 ; Karst., “Fung. Fenn.,” 526 ; Phil., “Elv. Brit.,” 101. 
On the ground. Spring. Esculent. 
The form of the sporidia at once distinguishes this 
from the following species. In this, they are elliptical, 
and obtuse at the ends; in that, subfusiform, and almost 
acute at the ends. 
The Rev. M. J. Berkeley says, “Gyromitra esculenta, 
though frequently eaten, is not always safe—a circum- 
stance which may depend rather on peculiarity of con- 
stitution than on any intrinsically deleterious property” 
(Intellectual Observer, 1866, p. 32). 
Name—Fsculentus, esculent. : 
Weybridge Heath, on sandy ground, April (Mr. F. 
Currey). Forres, Scotland! (Rev. Dr. Keith). 
2. Gyromitra gigas. (Kromb.) 
Pileus large, lobed, undulato-plicate, or curled, pallid, 
whitish, or ochraceous; lobes sub-adnate to the stem, 
adpressed, somewhat undulating; stem thick, cellular, . 
waxy, whitish, externally lacunose, subglabrous; asci 
cylindrical ; sporidia 8, elliptic, fusiform, 32 x 10—12n; 
paraphyses slightly enlarged above. 
Helvella gigas—Kromb., “Schw.,” iii. 28, t. 20, f. 
1-5 ; Currey, “Linn. Trans.,” xxiv. t. 25, f. 25; Cooke, 
“ Handbk.,” No. 1943; Quelet, “Champ.,” pt. i. p. 382. 
Gyromitra gigas—Cooke, “Mycogr.,” fig. 327. 
On the ground. Esculent. 
Name—yiyae, a giant; from the large size. 
Coed Coch, North Wales (Mrs. Lloyd Wynn). Black- 
heath Park (Mr. Frederick Currey). 
Genus IIL—HEtvewya. Fries. 
Receptacle pileate, supported by the centre, deflexed, 
sub-inflated, sinuous, concave, and barren beneath, 
clothed above the margin by the hymenium; hymenium 
even, persistent; stem always present, united to the 
