Page:Coloured Figures of English Fungi or Mushrooms.djvu/616

 TAB. CCXCIX.

by the Rev. Mr. Harriman. The branches being chiefly at right angles and somewhat spinose, seem to give it a specific distinction, as well as the tassel-like fructification, if I may so call it. TAB. CCC.

Dicks. fasc. 3, tab. 6. With. v. 4, p. 401. ed. 3.

curious production may be found in abundance on horse-dung in damp or dewy mornings or evenings, almost all the year. At first it is cylindrical with a small yellow head. In a few hours the stipes inflates towards the top, and becomes pitcher-shaped, and at the same time the head gradually changes brown, by degrees it becoming totally black. The plant being arrived at perfection, by its inflation or expansion it bursts, and projects the head to the distance of 3 or more inches, probably to disperse the feeds.