BIRD’S-NEST FUNGI 
63 
Fasciculate about § in. high, on wood, twigs, etc. Hairy and 
brownish without, lead colour and fluted longitudinally within. 
The apex of the cup at first closed with an epiphragm. 
Frequent throughout the year. Easily known by the striae, 
or lines, just within the top of the cup ; these are not present 
in any other European or American species. The American 
form of this species is the more brightly coloured. 
C. vernicosus ( vernicosus , shining as if varnished—from the 
appearance of the outer surface of the peridium), “ Shining 
Birds’-nest.” Plate XIX. 5. 
Campanulate, smooth, clustered, about J in. high, broadly 
open at maturity. Usually growing on bare soil, rarely on 
wood. The cups are firmer and thicker than those of the 
preceding species and are smooth inside. The peridiola are 
larger than those of any other species of the Nidulariaceae. 
The commonest European species. 
CRUCIBULUM 
(From a supposed resemblance to a crucibulum , a small 
melting-pot) 
C. vulgare (from its commonness), “ Common Birds’-nest.” 
Plate XIX. 10. 
Per. | in. high, thick, greyish-white or yellowish, bleaching 
with age, the mouth (J in. across) at first closed with a 
yellowish epiphragm; smooth and shining within, minutely 
hairy without. The cups are more saucer-shaped than those 
of other species. Sometimes young cups appear within the 
old ones. Gregarious ; frequent on rotten wood, decaying 
bracken and bramble stems, etc., in late aut. 
NIDULARIA 
(From a supposed resemblance to a nest, nidus) 
N. pisiformis ( pisum , a pea; forma , shape—from the pea-like 
form of the peridium). Plate XIX. 6. 
