Page:Coloured Figures of English Fungi or Mushrooms.djvu/667

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above the ground. The innermost coat has a fort of bristly pile that holds the powder. The two outer skins wither off, and are blown away, leaving the feeds to disperse themselves. It afterwards dries, and seems to perish. The root is fibrous. It is somewhat extraordinary that this root and fungous bulb should be fix or eight inches under ground; and it is possible that, the seeds being dispersed, it may form new bulbs for its annual support under ground, which I should be glad to fee with the Fungus in perfection.


TAB. CCCXCI.

CLAVARIA MINUTA.

This pretty little Fungus was discovered, growing on the bracteæ of Dipsacus pilosus, by the Rev. R. B. Francis, F. L. S. who favoured me with these specimens. They were found at Raleigh, in Essex.


TAB. CCCXCII.

Fig. I. RHIZOMORPHA patens.

Was sent me by the Rev. Mr. Relhan, the ingenious author of the Flora Cantabrigiensis; found on old willows near Cambridge. Old willows are hardly ever destitute of Rhizomorpha-like substances, which may perhaps be real roots; and other trees, under certain circumstances, protrude their fibres to such a distance, and in such a manner, as to create a puzzle. The real roots, however, may, I believe, always be discovered by their having the medulla or pith, wood and bark; and the Rhizomorpha by being destitute of the inner pith, having only a fibrous and cottony inner substance and bark.