2 
EXOTIC FUNGI IN THE ROYAL HERBARIUM, KEW. 
Among sand. Nile Valley. (Scott- Elliott.) 
Pileus 3-4 c.m. across when expanded, stem 10-15 c.m. long, 
6-8 m.m. thick near the apex ; the greater portion of the stem is 
buried in the sand, hence, in collecting the fungus, unless great 
care is taken, the volva is left behind. 
Allied to Montagnites HaussJcnechti, Rab., but distinguished by 
the obtuse pileus, presence of an ample volva, and larger spores. 
All the species belonging to the present genus grow in sandy, 
arid regions, and like Battarrea and other genera characteristic of 
similar localities, are at first enclosed in a stout volva, buried at a 
considerable depth in the sand, the hymenopliore being elevated 
above the surface at maturity by the comparatively sudden increase 
in length of the stem. The Phalloidem exhibit a similar mode of 
development. 
The most pronounced morphological peculiarity presented by the 
members of the present genus is the entire absence of the flesh and 
cuticle of the pileus, the radiating gills being perfectly free from 
each other above. The volva is continuous with the apex of the 
stem, and, on the. expansion of the gills, becomes split in an 
irregularly circumscissile manner near the apex, a small portion 
remaining attached to the apex of the stem, the greater portion 
remaining buried in the sand and sheathing the base of the stem. 
Montagnites is evidently allied to Coprinus where the fle^li of the 
pileus is in many species exceedingly thin, although neveV entirely 
absent ; the last-named genus differs in the deliquescent gills. 
Gyrophragniium , belonging to the Gastromycetes, is also allied to 
Montagnites, differing in the anastomosing gills. Secotium and 
Polyplocium are also allies. 
PI. 182, Fig. 1 , Montagnites El'liotti, nat. size; Fig. 2, young 
specimen of same showing the volva partially ruptured, nat. size ; 
Fig. 3, section of same in the young stage, nat. size ; Fig. 4, 
basidium with spores of same, x 400 ; Fig. 5, spores of same, 
x 400. 
THWAETESZELLA. Mass, (n.g.) 
Resupinate, thin, rigid when dry ; hymenium covered, except 
towards the margin, with thin raised plates that anastomose to 
form an irregular and interrupted honeycomb-like reticulation ; 
the plates often radiate from a more or less central point, and are 
either continuous or broken up at intervals, and, along with the 
general surface, are densely covered with large, colourless, conical 
cystidia. Basidia tetrasporous ; spores colourless, continuous. 
Radulum mirabile , B.Sf Br. Journ. Linn. Soc ., Vol. XIV., p. 61 ; Sacc. Syll. 
Vol. vi., No. 6940. 
Hymenopliore entirely resupinate, thin, resembling a Corticium 
or Peniophora in habit, but differing in having the surface traversed 
by thin vertical plates or ridges that anastomose to form an 
irregular network. The primary ridges often radiate from a 
central or excentric point ; this arrangement is most obvious in 
