f
ik
continuous with the peridium. Spores 3- 5, subsessile on the basidia,
smooth, usually coloured. (Fig. 14 1.)
The absence of a distinct rooting base, the branched fibres
Fig._ 141.— A, B, Melanogaster am lig u u s T u l., entire and in section. Natural size.
c , basidium and spores. X 500. d, basidium and spores o f M . va r ieg a tu s T u l. X 500.
traversing the whole surface of the peridium, and the smooth spores
are characteristic. Species 2102, 2103
2102. M. variegatus Tul. (from the variegated gleba) abc.
Irregularly globose or nodular-oval. Pe. adpressedly tomentose,
at first yellow or ochreous, then dark reddish-ferruginous. Gl.
blackish with indigo-black cells. Trama white, whitish or
bright orange.
More or less exposed above ground during growth, covered with leaves and
twigs. Taste sweet and approved by many when cooked; odour sharp,
strong, aromatic, agreeable, not unlike bitter almonds. Under beech,
poplar, oak. June-Noy. 2® in. Spores lo X 5 eUiptic-oblong. Eaten
on the Continent, harmless but hardly pleasant. Sold half a century or
more ago as an esculent iu Bath under the name of Red Truffle. Var.
Broomeianus Tul. Trama dull white or yellowish, never bright yellow or
orange. Usually gregarious, some two or three inches beneath the surface
or half exposed. Scentless when young but soon acquiring a sweet, treacley
odour, or a scent of decaying pears.
2103. M. amhiguus Tul. (from its being doubtfully a true species;
ambiguus, doubtful) abc.
Irregularly globose or oval-nodular. Pe. nearly even, pale olive
then reddish-brown. Gl. jet- or slate-black. Trama buff-
white or white.
Highly fetid of assafcetida. Under beech, poplar, oak, fir. April-Oct.
i f in. Spores 13-15 X *]-% ovate, papillate. Var. intermedius Tul. has
a yellowish trama which becomes red in drying.
CXXV. HYDNANGIUM Wallr. ex Klotzsch.
(From the tuberous form ; Gr. htidnon, a tuber or truffle,
' 11, a vessel.)
Peridium fleshy or membranous, smooth or silky ; sterile base not
developed. Trama vesicular, cells minute, unequal, at first empty
then filled with globose'or ovate, echinulate spores. Spores 2- 4.
X ig . 142-)
The globose or ovate, usually small spores and the absence of a
sterile base separate Hydnangium from its nearest
2104. H. earotseeolor Berk, (from the carrot-like colour; carota,
Globoso-oblong or oblong-rounded, nodular, rootless. Pe. thin,
slightly tomentose, carrot-red, becoming dark orange-brownish
when dry. Gl. orange.
.Sometimes half-exposed,^ often superficial. Woods, downs, under trees.
Aug.-J^^* Diam. in.
2105. H. earneum Wallr. ex Klotzsch (from the flesh-colour; carmus,
Irregularly^ subglobose or rounded-elongate, rootless; Pe. very
thin, at first covered with white fugacious down, flesh-colour,
becoming ochreous-salmon when dry.
Subterranean or half-exposed, often superficial. Above the roots of
Eucalyptus, etc. Oct.-Dec. Diam. ^ in.