14 



Mycologia 



is lewes' eare ... are all thought to be poisonsome bemg in- 

 wardly taken." L'Ecluse (Hist. Rar. PI. 4: 276. 1601) although 

 naming it "genus i. perniciosum fungorum" says that it may be 

 used in cases of sore throat for gargling and rinsing. Parkinson 

 (Theat. 1320. 1640) states positively that it must be edible, be- 

 cause it may be " boyled in milke, or steeped in vinegar and so 

 gargled, which is the onely use they are put unto that I know." 

 The final word on the subject has been given recently by Weems 

 and Hess in the article quoted above. They state its composition 

 when moist to be : water 79.58 per cent., ether extract .25 per 

 cent., crude fiber .59 per cent., protein 3.83 per cent., ash 1.04 per 

 cent., nitrogen free extract 14.71 per cent. Its fuel value per lb, 

 in calories is 355.10. 



It is altogether probable that Auricularia auriformis (Schw.) 

 Earle is the same fungus. The only difference seems to be in the 

 yellow color on both surfaces of A. auriformis, due in the case 

 of the hymenium to nodules of gelatine, and on the sterile surface 

 to the hairs. Specimens .from various localities in New Jersey 

 and Alabama were examined, and the fungus is reported also 

 from Massachusetts, Virginia, North Carohna (type), Ohio, and 

 Porto Rico. The Wright specimen from Cuba is, as stated by 

 Farlow (Bib. Index i: 306. 1905), not A. auriformis but A. 

 Auricula. 



If these two fungi prove to be the same the following synonyms 

 should be added to those of A. Auricula: 



Peziza auriformis Schw. Syn. Carol, no. 1155. 1818. 



Exidia auriformis Fr. Syst. 2 : 223. 1822. 



Tremella auriformis Spreng. in L. Syst. Veg. ed. 16. 4: 535. 

 1827. 



Exidia protracta Lev. Ann. Sci. Nat. Ill, 2 : 218. 1844. 

 Hirneola auriformis Fr. Fung. Nat. 26. 1848. 

 Hirneola protracta Sacc. Syll. 6 : 766. 1888. 

 Auricula auriformis Kuntze, Rev. Gen. 2: 844. 1891. 

 Auricula protracta Kuntze, Rev. Gen. 2: 844. 1891. 

 Auricularia auriformis Earle in Alohr, Contrib. U. S. Nat. 

 Herb. 6 : 194. 1901. 



