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M E R ISM A TUBEROSUM.
D w a r f tuberous Merisma.
C l a s s a n d O r d e » CRYPTOGAMIA FUNGI, U n n— N a t . O r d . F U N G I, Link,
Grev.
G EN E R IC C HARAC T ER .
Pileus suhcrustaceus vel stipitaius, ramosus, coriaceus, ramis complanatis, dilatatis,
laciniatis. Hymenium omnem fe r e superficiem utrinque occupans, cum
stipite valde confusum.
Pileus somewhat crustaceous or stipitate, branched, coriaceous; branches
compressed, dilated, laciniate. Hymenium covering almost the whole
surface on every side, and passing insensibly into the stipes.
S P E C IF IC C HARAC T ER .
M e r i s m a tuberosum ; erectum, distinctum, stipitatum, griseo-rufescens; pileo
ramis longitudinale suboequalibus, laciniatis ; stipite basi bulboso.
M. erect, distinct, stipitate, colour reddish-grey : pileus composed of laci-
niated branches of nearly equal length : stipes bulbous at the base.
Hab. On the ground in hare places, in autumn. Foxhall, Captain Wauch.
Plant scattered, of a grey colour, mostly with a slight brownish tinge, of
a firm subcoriaceous substance, about an inch in height. Pileus about
two-thirds o f the height o f the entire plant, variously divided into a good
many compressed, laciniated branches, terminating acutely or obtusely.
T h e main branches are generally given off from the same point, and are
disposed iin a circular manner, leaving the centre free, and somewhat
infundibuliform. Stipes nearly cylindrical, obscurely furrowed or lacunose,
and bulbous at the base. Hymenium covering the whole plant
except the stipes. Sporidia oval, very numerous.
M y friend Captain W a u c h was the discoverer of the present
species nearly two years ago, when he was kind enough
to communicate the specimens to me from which the accompanying
drawing and descriptions were made. I have since had.
the pleasure o f seeing the plant growing, and retaining its characters
in size, colour, and every other peculiarity.
This species seems to mark more strikingly than any other
I have yet seen, the difference between the genera Merisma and