M u c o r o v a t u s , Schoeff. Euiig. t . 1C)2.
L y c o p e r d o n luteum gregarium, Jacq. Misc. v. 1. t. 8.
M u c i l a g o filamentosa ramosa, Bonanni, 135. t. S. fide BnUiard.
M u c i l a g o C r u s t a c e a a l b a , Mich. Nov. Gen. PL t . 96. f . 2 .
S p o n g ia f u g a x mollis, flava e t amoena, in pulvere coriareonascens, Marchand,
Mém. d e l’Acad. Franç. ami. 1727, p- 334. t . 12.
H ab. On tan, both in the open air and in tan-pits, frequent : also on masses
of dead leaves, on tru n k s of decaying trees, and sometimes even on living
herbs. Autumn.
Plant exceedingly variable, effused, soft and pulpy in the young state, having
a general tendency to assume rounded forms, b u t often spreading
in irregular masses, 1 -12 inches in breadth or more, and an inch or
more in thickness. I t grows with amazing rapidity. From its pulpy
and slimy state, it changes to one as remarkable for dryness. The
peridinm is double : the outer one somewhat floccose, or between floccose
and furfuraceous, evanescent: the inner one membranaceous, exceedingly
fragile, dividing the substance into innumerable small cells, w hich
are filled with globose blackish sporidia. When mature, the whole
plant crumbles under the slightest touch.
This singular plant is well known to gardeners as the great
nuisance of the hot-house and tan-pit, where its rapidity of
growth is only equalled hy the suddenness of its appearance.
I t not only spreads over the surface of the tan, hut envelopes
in its slimy embrace, and disfigures the beauty of the most delicate
herbaceous plants.
That too many species have been made from this fungus
scarcely admits of a question; hut I have not brought together
so many synonymes without some diffidence, though, as far as
my opportunity of judging extends, 1 see no characters to keep
any of them distinct. I should even have added Reticularia
carnosa of B u l l i a r d , if that author had not stated particularly
that it became hard and solid in age like a truffle; for in
every other respect it exactly agrees with our plant. B u l l
i a r d justly observes of his Reticularia hortensis, that a
“ thousand local circumstances influence its form and dimensions
he might probably have added, with equal reason, its
consistence and colour. Among different localities, he mentions
having noticed it upon rocks, at a very considerable elevation.
Fig. 1. A young plant o f M. flavum, natural size. Fig. 2 . A young plant o f
a paler colour. Fig. 3. A mature plant; mitk one in an old state behind it,
natural size. Fig. 4. Sporidia; magnified.