Seasonal Notes 



577 



There are three cup fungi (Pezizae) appearing in April 

 which deserve comment. 



The scented Elf-cup (Peziza venosd) may be easily recognised 

 by its strong nitrous smell. The umber-brown cup (whitish 

 outside) is about 2 inches broad and as many high. Its 

 margin is more or less wavy and lobed, and the stem is short 

 and indistinct. 



Another common species on roadsides and in woods is the 

 Chalice (Acetabula vulgaris). It differs from the Scented Elf-cup 

 in having many strong branching veins or ribs on the stems, 

 and in the absence of nitrous smell ; moreover, it is usually 

 solitary, P. venosa being a gregarious species. 



A far more local fungus is the great Reticulated Elf-cup 

 (P. reticulata), the largest of our largest species. The reddish- 

 brown cup varies from 2 to 5 inches across, and is ornamented 

 with an irregular network of raised ribs. " In the last stage 

 the pileus is nearly spread out on every side so as to rest on 

 the ground, the extreme margin, however, still retaining its 

 involute tendency." Said to be a solitary species, but we 

 have on several occasions found groups of seven or eight 

 plants in hedges in East Somerset. 



In the Pezizse group the cup — or ascophore as it is termed 

 — is incurved at first, and gradually develops. An allied 

 group — the Helvellese — differs in having the disc or hymenium 

 exposed from the first. This group probably contains more 

 vernal fungi than any other ; and we will conclude our 

 remarks on April fungals with a brief reference to some of 

 them. 



One, the Mitrula phalloides, has already been described 

 under Seasonal Notes for May (see p. 30). 



The Mitred Helvel (Helvetia lacunosa), as indicated by its 

 specific name, has a remarkably pitted or ribbed stem. In 

 all the Helvels the pileus consists of crisped, wavy and 

 drooping lobes attached to the stem by the under surface. In 

 the present species it is blackish-grey, the stem^being whitish. 



