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Sir J. E. Smith's Account of Rhizomorpha medullaris.
opinion. The taste of the dried plant has nothing of a fungus-like flavour, but in its slight astringency agrees with many, almost tasteless, roots. The above history of the origin of the plant, from a piece of wrought wood, and its copious growth, must preclude all idea of its being any thing else than a parasitical fungus.
The specific character may thus be given:
Rhizomorpha, medullaris, teres ramosissima nivea; intùs cellulosa flavescens.
REFERENCE TO PLATE XX.
Fig. 1.A portion of the stem of Rhizomorpha medullaris.
2.Termination of a principal branch.
3.A transverse section of the stem magnified.
London,
June 12, 1817. J. E. Smith.
XXVII. A Cen-
