Among the Mushrooms Part 5

ORDER 4. PHALLOIDS, THE STINK HORN FUNGI.

We come now to the fourth and last order of the Stomach fungi (Gasteromycetes) that we shall mention. In spite of their appellation these fungi are strikingly beautiful, but their odor is most offensive.

They grow in woods, and are also found in cellars. Their history has been carefully investigated by mycologists, and the novice will find many beautiful ill.u.s.trations in various works. In their early stage they are enclosed in an egg-shaped veil (volva), having a gelatinous inner layer. Some are bright-colored, others are pure white, and the stems of one species look as if covered with lace work. The most familiar one, Phallus impudicus, "the fetid wood witch," we have placed in the list of fungi at the end of this book, with its description.

CLa.s.s II. ASCOMYCETES, OR SPORE SAC FUNGI.

This is the second division of the Basidia-bearing fungi. It includes all the fungi that have the spores enveloped in delicate sacs called asci. It is divided into several orders, but we will only mention the one which contains the most familiar plants. This order is named the Disc-like fungi (Discomycetes). In this the spore-bearing surface is on the upper or outside surface of the mushroom cap. It is divided into many genera, of which we shall mention three--the Cup fungi, or Pezizas, the Morels or Morch.e.l.las, and the Yellowish fungi or Helvellas.

+PEZIZAS = the Cup fungi.+

These form a very large group, mostly growing on decaying plants. They are typically disc-shaped or cup-shaped, and when young are closed or nearly so, opening when mature. They vary in size from minute species to large fleshy ones, 3 to 4 inches in diameter. They are generally small, thin, and tough. They grow on twigs, leaves, dead wood, or on the ground. Many are stemless. They are both solitary and densely cl.u.s.tered.

The color varies from pale brown to a dark gray, resembling, when moist, india-rubber cloth, and then, again, there are many of brilliant hues--red and orange. Some are erect, some are split down at the side like the ear of a hare. The Cup fungi are found in August and September, growing near ditches, and by the roadside where there is moisture. The ear-shaped Pezizas somewhat resemble the Jew's ear, and the beginner might easily confound them. This latter fungus belongs to the third cla.s.s of membrane fungi (Hymenomycetes), and it is included in the descriptions of fungi.

+THE MORELS or MORCh.e.l.lAS = the honey-combed fungi.+

The collector during the months of April and May will enjoy a new experience when he first finds a fungus of a bright brown color, deeply pitted, spongy looking, cone-shaped or nearly round; its head supported on an erect, white stem. He will probably find it on a gra.s.sy hillside or along a running brook under some forest trees. He has perhaps seen its picture and at once exclaims, "my first Morel." He will notice its peculiar honey-combed depression, and then cutting it open will find both the head and the stem hollow. Where are the spores? There are no gills as in the Agarics, nor are they concealed in a covering (peridium), as in the Puff-b.a.l.l.s, but they are contained in delicate sacs on the cap. The exterior surface of the cap is the spore-bearing portion, and the spores are developed in their sacs, but only seen under a microscope.

+HELVELLA = the yellowish mushroom.+

This genus may be readily recognized by the form of the cap, which is lobed and irregularly waved and drooping, often attached to the stem.

They grow on the ground in the woods, and sometimes on rotten wood. The genus comprises the largest of the Disc fungi known, some species weighing over a pound. Cicero mentions the Helvellas as a favorite dish of the Romans.

+THE TRUFFLE = delicacy.+

It will be well to finish this section with the mention of the Truffle.

It may yet be found in the United States, but hitherto its place of growth has been on the continent of Europe, and especially in France, where it forms an article of commerce, and is highly prized as food. It is subterranean, and requires for its discovery a higher sense of smell than man possesses. It is generally found by the hog and the dog, who are trained to help the truffle hunters. There are some species in our country that resemble it, and grow underneath the ground. One, found in the Southern States, called Rhizopogon, grows in sandy soil. This species, however, does not belong to Cla.s.s II., but to Cla.s.s I., the Gasteromycetes, or Stomach fungi. It is not likely that the beginner will find this mushroom, so no description will be given.

GENERAL HELPS TO THE MEMORY.

There are certain facts which if committed to memory will be of great help to beginners in cla.s.sifying mushrooms. There are distinctive features belonging to different genera, which will be enumerated as follows. These facts apply to the order of Agarics, containing the largest number of familiar mushrooms. They have been placed in tables for the convenience of the beginner, and are arranged without regard to family relations.h.i.+p.

_Mushrooms Containing both Volva and Ring (Annulus)._

There is only one genus that has both volva and ring. Amanita.

_Mushrooms with Ring and no Volva._

1. Pholiota.

2. Annularia.

3. Stropharia.

4. Psalliota.

5. Armillaria.

6. Lepiota.

_Mushrooms that have the stem attached on the side (lateral) or between Margin and Centre (eccentric)._

1. Crepidotus.

2. Claudopus.

3. Pleurotus.

_Mushrooms with tough or cartilaginous Stems._

1. Psathyra.

2. Nolanea.

3. Mycena.

4. Marasmius.

5. Naucoria.

6. Leptonia.

7. Omphalia.

8. Collybia.

9. Psilocybe.

10. Galera.

_Mushrooms, Stemless._

1. Schizophyllum.

2. Trogia.

3. Lenzites.

_Mushrooms that have the Cap bell-shaped (campanulate) and Marked with Lines (striate)._

1. Psathyra.

2. Galera.

3. Nolanea.

4. Mycena.

_Mushrooms with Gills attached to Stem and a Ring._

1. Stropharia.

2. Armillaria.

3. Pholiota.

_Mushrooms Having Gills with serrated edge._

1. Lentinus.

_Mushrooms with Free Gills not attached to Stem._

1. Chitonia.

2. Psalliota.

3. Pluteolus.

4. Pluteus.

5. Volvaria.

6. Lepiota.

7. Amanita.