100 



DOMESTIC BOTANY. 



less diameter. The superstitious formerly supposed these 

 rings were produced by some supernatural agency, and be- 

 lieved that spirits called fairies held their midnight revels 

 within the circles. Their formation is, however, very simple, 

 natural, and easily accounted for. A solitary tuft ' first 

 appears, performs its functions, and dies. The next season 

 another patch appears outside the spot occupied by the 

 original, forming a small ring, and this is repeated from year 

 to year, the ring increasing in size. The decay of the 

 previous fungi rendering the soil unfit for the reproduction 

 of the same species, the mycelium or spores find fresh soil on 

 the external margin of the ring, and again germinate. One 

 species of fairy-ring fungi, Marasmius Oreades, is edible, and 

 is called the champignon. 



Morel {Morchella esculenta). A native of this country, is 

 found growing in woods and pastures, especially where char- 

 coal has been burnt. It attains the height of from three to 

 four inches, and consists of a smooth, white, cylindrical stem, 

 having a hollow spherical cap of a pale brown or grey 

 colour, and adhering to the stem by its base. It is marked 

 with deep pits all over its surface, and is used in cookery, 

 both fresh and also when dried. Truffle {Tuber ciharium) is 

 found principally in Kent and the neighbouring counties. It 

 is of a spherical shape, seldom exceeding the size of a walnut, 

 and when old is of a black colour veined with white. It 

 grows under the surface of the ground in calcareous soils, 

 generally under trees. It was formerly sought after by 

 means of dogs trained for the purpose, but now more gene- 

 rally it is discovered by a particular species of fly hovering 

 over the place of its growth, being attracted by its odour. 

 Truffles are used in cookery, forming a much esteemed and 

 expensive dish. Helvella esculenta^ H. crispa, and H. lacu- 

 nosa grow something like mushrooms, being generally found 

 in woods. Some are wholesome when cooked, while others 

 of the same genus are poisonous. Boletus edulis grows upon 

 trees, and sometimes attains a large size ; it is said to be 



