Page:Coloured Figures of English Fungi or Mushrooms.djvu/39

 TAB. LXVI.

With. v. 3. 354.

uncommon in fir-groves, &c. The stipes is more or less compressed according to the weather or situation, being filled with a loose pith; the lamellæ. or gills are deepest towards the stipes, and occasionally fixed towards the top. TAB. LXVII.

Bull. t. 510.

plant, common on old rotting elm-trees, seems hitherto to have escaped the notice of English authors, although it is a very conspicuous annual. I have seen it constant on the same tree three or four years following. It commonly begins to grow in September, and continues till December or later, when each becomes frequently two or three feet in circumference. Authors seem to have noticed the varieties, without identifying or thoroughly knowing the species. I am inclined to think Schæffer's

candidus., t. 225.

dimidiatus, t. 233.

pallidus.,t. 50. varieties of this plant. In an early state and dry season I have seen them resemble Schæffer's A. squamosus., tab. 29 and 30; yet I think they are distinct.

It varies much from its situation on the tree. If on a slat surface in the hollow, it commonly grows upright with the stipes central, and in a young state often resembles white coral. When more advanced, and from the sides, the pileus is spreading and undulating like an escallop shell. Sometimes it grows downwards with a stipes 5 or 6 inches long, or protrudes to the outer surface in an horizontal direction; when quite external, the stipes is often nearly lateral or almost sessile. This fungus is either white with a mealy surface, or greyish, &c. 1 have seen it accidentally resemble Bulliard's fig. tab. 510, with red and brown spots. I suspect Agaricus tessellatus, tab. 513. fig. 1. of the same author to be a variety also.