FUNGI MACOWANI ANI. 
59 
Stexeum notatum, B. et Br. Fung, of Ceylon, No. 597. 
Som. E., No. 1091 ; Baznja m., 693 ; P. Natal, No. 109. 
Hymenium pallidum, peltatum, subumbonatum, et plerumque 
liic umbo jugis quibusdam elevatis, concentricis cingitur. 
Coxticium nudum, Fr. Ep. 564. 
P. Natal, No. 161. 
Coxticium calceum, F. Ep. 563. 
Som. E. Boschberg (leg M. Ow., No. 1074 et 1206). 
Coxticium coeruleum Fr. Ep. 562. 
Som. E. (leg. MacOwau, No. 1125). 
Coxticium cinereum, Fr. Ep. 563. 
Peniophora cinerea Cooke in “ Grrevillea.” 
Port Natal, No. 208. 
A Curious Trade in Fungus. — The “Colonies and India” 
says : — “ Among the various articles of trade exported from New 
Zealand perhaps the most curious is a species of fungus which 
grows on decaying trees in all parts of the North Island, but 
most plentifully in the provincial district of Taranaki. In shape 
this fungus resembles the human ear, and it is of a brown colour 
and semi-transparent when fresh. It was not deemed of sufficient 
importance to be included in the list of colonial exports until 
1872, when 58 tons, the value of which was £1,927, were shipped; 
in 1877, 220 tons, valued at £11,318, were exported ; and last 
year the value of the export was £6,227. China is the destina- 
tion of this product. It is much prized there as an article of 
food, forming the chief ingredient of the favourite soup of that 
country on account of its gelatinous properties and its peculiar 
flavour. Whether the immigrant Chinese, who were more 
numerous in New Zealand five years ago than they are now, dis- 
covered the virtues of this fungoid growth, or whether the Maoris, 
with their naturally keen wit, hit upon the idea that the substance 
would just suit the peculiar tastes of the Chinese, does not 
appear. The Europeans in the colony, however, have never 
acquired a taste for it. To prepare this fungus for export, 
nothing more is required than to pick it from the trunks of the 
trees and dry it in the air or under sheds. When dry it is packed 
in bags and shipped to China by way of Sydney or San Francisco. 
Very few white men , except those of idle , dissipated habits , collect 
fungus. The children of the small bush farmers, however, often 
keep themselves in pocket-money by gathering it and selling it to 
the dealers. The task of collecting it is one, too, which just 
suits the Maori disposition. When the natives are in want of 
funds for tobacco, or desire to raise the wherewithal to provide the 
large feasts which it is their delight to give periodically, they send 
out parties to the bush who bring in fungus in large quantities for 
sale.” — [N.B. — The fungus here spoken of is Hirneola polytvicha. 
—Ed.] 
