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Thelephora, but tbere tbe comparison stops. Our plant, besides
being produced under tbe epidermis, seems to belong to
a more perfect group, wben its structure is examined. Tbe
bymenium is a quite distinct substance from tbat of tbe recep-
ceptacle. Tbe fructification is fully and beautifully developed,
a good deal similar to tbat of tbe Helvellce. Tbe receptacle is
carnose and wbite; and tbe wbole exbales a very strong odour,
precisely like wbat is universally known under the name of a
fungus-like smell.
Till the plant is perfected, it remains concealed beneath
the epidermis; and on this account I have named the genus
Cryptomyces. The epidermis, in fact, scarcely seems to crack
by tbe swelling of the fungus, more than by the natural consequence
of being killed by its separation from the subjacent
bark.A
cluster of willows, which was attacked in the beginning
of tbe season by this plant, have been nearly destroyed by it,
and, from the rapidity of its progress, I have no doubt that a
whole plantation might, in the course of a couple of seasons,
be rendered good for nothing. At a little distance, the affected
branches look as if they were dry, scorched, and rotten. ii
Fig. 1. Cryptomyces Wauchii, natural size. Fig. 2. A section o f a plant
Fig. 3. A portion o f the hymenium and receptacle. Fig. 4. Hymenium, with
fructification. Fig. 5. Sporidia and sporules; magnified.
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