7i 
The Thelephoras (Thelephoreae) contain a good many dis- 
similar forms : — 
Fungus funnel-shaped and large. Craterellus (Page 49, First 
Series). 
Fungus dry and fibrous, finely divided. Telephora (Page 48). 
Fungus as flat plaques on trees, not fleshy. The free surface 
always smooth. Stereum (Pages 44-47). 
The Discomycetes also consist of a number of genera of very 
different external form. 
(A) Fungus with a stalk which supports 
A sponge like mass. Moixhelia (Page 60, First Series). 
A smooth viscid ovid mass, small Fungi. Leotia (Page 58). 
A sort of cloak hanging down in folds. HeLvella (Page 37). 
(B) Fungus without stalk. 
In form of a cup, fleshy. Peziza (Pages 59 and 60). 
At first a cup, later changing to a flat surface. Gelatinous. 
Bulgaria (Page 63, First Series). 
All the Pyrenomycetes here illustrated are dark and un- 
attractive looking. A careful examination of a mature specimen 
will show small cavities near the surface opening externally by a 
pore. In these the black spores are produced. 
Fungus in form of post of slightly branched tree. Xylaria 
(Pages 61 and 62). 
Fungus in form of nearly spherical mass. Daldinia (Page 6r, 
First Series). 
Fungus as flattened plaque covering the surface of a stump. 
Ustulina (Page 63). 
The Scarlet Fly-Cap (Agaricus [ Amanita ] muscarius, Frontis- 
piece) is one of the best known of the toadstool family. Its brilliant 
scarlet cap, spotted over with white warts, makes it so conspicuous 
and beautiful an object that even the most indifferent can hardly 
fail to notice it. The warts are the remains of the membranous 
bag in which the whole Fungus was enclosed when young. 
They are of moderate size and can be easily removed from 
the crimson cap. Rarely only one or two very large warts are 
present. The cap where uncovered by warts is rather sticky, and 
occasionally its bright crimson colour is replaced by a dull orange 
yellow. There is a well-marked ring. This toadstool is fairly 
common in woodland glades in early autumn, and is usually found 
in the neighbourhood of firs or birches, more especially the latter. 
Though so beautiful, it is extremely deadly, and many cases of 
poisoning in those who have eaten it are recorded. The early 
symptoms of poisoning and those produced by small doses are 
delirium and intoxication, and it has even been stated that the 
Fungus is made use of in some parts of the world to produce this 
effect. The poisonous principle is easily dissolved out so that a 
decoction can be readily made and is sometimes used for killing 
flies. It was with this Fungus that Agrippina, the mother of 
Nero, is supposed to have poisoned the Emperor Claudius, either 
intentionally or by accident, for the Scarlet Fly-Cap closely 
resembles the Blusher (Page 6, First Series), which was much used 
