414 



THE NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC MAGAZINE 



Photograph by A. G. and B. Leeper 



the gemmed puff-ball (Lycoperdon gemmatum) found everywhere 



Though small, this "gem-studded" species is much sought by mushroom-eaters and may be dis- 

 covered growing scattered or in tufts, usually on the ground. About one-half natural size. 



son, it adds the appropriate touch of the wild 

 woodlands. 



This species grows on decaying wood (bark, 

 roots, and stumps) and on old leaves in woods 

 of maple, beech, etc. ; time, June to Septem- 

 ber ; distribution, temperate North America, 

 Europe, and South Africa. 



HEDGEHOG MUSHROOMS (Various 

 species of Hydnum) 



(See Color Plate VI) 



Not infrequently the assiduous mushroom- 

 hunter, "new to the game," finds specimens 

 that do not tally at all with his conception of 

 what a mushroom should be like. He has soon 

 learned, of course, to recognize the gill tribes 

 (see page 390), and the Boleti (see page 406), 

 and perhaps the Clavarias (see page 412), but 

 should he encounter a toadstool with "teeth," 

 he will be nonplussed, until assured by his 

 mycological mentor that there are such "ani- 

 mals," and that they go by the name of Hedge- 

 hog mushrooms. 



They are not as frequent as the others, and 

 therefore all the more of a surprise when met 

 with. Some are conspicuously beautiful, and 

 the story that the great Swedish mycologist, 

 Elias Fries, was attracted to the study of the 

 fungi on beholding in his youth a specimen of 

 the snowy-white coral Hydnum may well be 

 believed (see illustration, page 410). 



The teeth, varying in size and color in dif- 

 ferent species, clothe the lower side of the 

 fruit-bodies, which may be cap-like, as in 

 agarics and boleti, branched, solidly formed 

 into tuberous, fleshy masses, or spread out in 

 a flat layer. No poisonous species are known, 

 though many are tough, bitter, or malodorous, 

 and thus naturally unattractive to the my- 

 cophagist. 



Hydnum fennicum, the Finnish Hydnum (see 

 Color Plate VI), is too bitter to be eaten, 

 but its general aspect gives some idea of the 

 appearance of the edible H. imbricatum. The 

 latter species has a more umber-colored, less 

 reddish cap, no blue discoloration in the flesh 

 of the stem, a less bitterish taste, and coarser 

 teeth. Deer are said to be fond of it. 



THE CINNAMON CORTINARIUS 



(Cortinarius cinnamomeus). Edible 



(See Color Plate VII) 



Plants belonging to the bulky genus Corti- 

 narius are very numerous in our forests dur- 

 ing the autumn months ; yet, except for a few 

 well-characterized species, one and all are left 

 severely alone by the average student of mush- 

 rooms; this not because of any fear from poi- 

 soning — the genus is a fairly safe one — but 

 because of the difficulties attending their study. 



It is easy enough to say that one has found a 

 "Cort" — the term of endearment for members 

 of this "offish" genus. To determine the plant 



