i'i
confined within a thick volva, the inner substance of which is
gelatinous, and in this state a distinct hymeninm is visible,
constructed as iii the preceding group. Soon however the
volva bursts, and the hymenium dissolves into a loathsome,
fetid mass, which is eagerly devoured by flies. Clathrus
cancellatus, one of the most beautiful of Fungi, has been detected
in the south of England and Ireland. Its beauty however
scarcely compensates for its detestable smell. Some of
the foreign species of this group when fresli are exquisitely
beautiful, but all, I believe, partake more or less of the disgusting
odour. These Fungi are called collectively Phalloidei,
from the typical genus Phallus.
Every one is acquainted with the Puff-balls, which by means
of the curious but very rare genus Batarrea, are connected
with the Phalli. When young their hymenium resembles the
crumb of bread ; but they soon lose their primitive condition,
and pass from a cellular to a semi-liquid state, and then to
the dusty condition which is known to every child. The
common Puff-balls are occasionally interesting objects, from
the beautiful warts or prickles with which they are adorned,
but they are far exceeded in interest by the starry Puff-balls,
Geäster (Plate 20, fig. 4), which from their comparative
rarity are little known to general observers. They however
sometimes occur in considerable abundance, and never fail to
excite the admiration of all lovers of beautiful forms. There
is another genus. Scleroderma (Plate 15, fig. 4.), which can
scarcely have failed to attract notice from the frequency of
one onion-shaped species on lawns. The species are darker
in colour than the Puff-balls, and differ in their thicker, more
persistent coat {peridium), and compact mass of spores. The
subdivision is named Trichogastres, from the hairs or threads
which in most cases accompany the spores.
The Puff-balls, it was remarked, were in their first condition
cellular, though so dusty when mature. A large group of
Fungi, containing multitudes of the most exquisite microscopic
objects, is distinguished by the early condition being
creamy, or mucilaginous. They differ in many respects from
other Fungi, and especially because they seem often quite independent
of the substance on which they are developed. One
species, for instance, was discovered by Schweinitz, in America,
growing on iron which had been red-hot only a few hours before.
I can myself answer for the true nature of the production,
as 1 possess a portion of the original specimen. I have
seen specimens again of another species, growing on a leaden
cistern at Kew, from which it could derive no nutriment.
Another was found by Sowerhy, on cinders, on the outside of
the dome of St. Paul’s. In consequence of this and of some
peculiarities in the substance of which they are formed, resembling
that of which certain Infusoria are composed, a very
excellent observer. Dr. de Bary, has lately expressed a formal
opinion that they are animals ; but a sufficient answer to this
is the fact that some of the species contain spiral vessels, and
have their spores surrounded by a distinct sac, exactly as in
an abnormal condition of Hymenangium (Plate 1, fig. 3, 6).
The most familiar example is that of the yellow, frothy, and
ultimately dusty substance which is so common on the tan of
stoves, and which is the plague of cultivators. Some species
of Reticularia also are so large as to attract notice, especially
R. maxima, which sometimes runs over cucumher-heds, overwhelming
everything in its path, and choking the plants.
Spumaria mucilago is another conspicuous Fungus of the
group, which is far from uncommon on the stems of grasses.
Most however of the species are too small to attract general
notice, though from the elegance of their form and brilliancy