whitish, channelled, and lacunose, variously divided through its whole
substance into large longitudinal cavities, the parietes of which are thin
and semitranspai-ent like wax. Spomlifcrous celb, situated in the upper
surface of the pdeus, very long, filiform, pellucid, containing a number
of globular hyaline sporules, in a single row, which, escaping in sudden
jets, form the elastic vapour observed by the naked eye to proceed occasionally
from mature plants. The cells themselves are often partly exserted,
probably from the same cause which produces the forcible dis-
charge of the sporules.
It is a singular fact, that, although three figures have been
published ia this country under the name of Helvetia Mitra,
none should in reality beloug to that species. E o l t o n ’s plant
(t. 95. of his Hist, of Funguses), is H . elástica of B u l l i a e d ;
and H . fuliginosa of S o w e b b y . The species published for
our plant, hy the last-named author, is H leucoplioea of P e b -
SOON. This is again figured by Mr P u b t o n , in his Midland
Flora, 1 .16. The above mistakes have occasioned much confusion
in our local Floras, and renders it difficult to ascertain
how far the true plant is distributed throughout the country.
H e C a n d o e i æ , following B u l l i a b d , affirms the sporules
to be projected from the inferior surface; while P e b s o o n ,
even iu his work now publishing, altogether neglects to notice
so important a circumstance. Professor L i n k , however, ascertained
them to proceed from the superior surface, which a
glance with the microscope is sufficient to confirm.
A ll the species of this genus arc wholesome and excellent :
they resemble the Morelle, and are constantly employed on the
Continent in the same way.
Fjg. 1. H . Mitra. Fig. 2. A smaller specimen in old age, and o f a paler colour.
Fig. 3. Section o f the stem. Fig. 4. A small portion o f the pileus
shewing the .«poruli/erous cells. Fig. 5. Sporuliferous cells and sporules.—
Figs. 4. & 5. Magnified.