Mycological System

4
TRICHOGASTRES

Podaxidei, Lycoperdon, and Tulostoma produce more brightly colored spores. The thinner the spores, the thinner the peridia, and vice-versa.

HOMELAND, location, time, duration. They inhabit warmer regions more than cold ones. From foreign lands, there are entirely unique genera. Almost all are terrestrial; indeed, many are subterranean, and most are found in sandy soil. They flourish especially in summer into late autumn; much later than the Myxogastres. Many require several months for perfect development, distinguished especially by dark spores. Furthermore, they persist for a long time and often remain dried into the following spring.

POWERS and USES. By Clusius and the ancients, they are numbered among harmful fungi, but no specific poison has certainly been found. The infusion is tasteless according to Bergius, bitter according to Beryne. On the contrary, the fleshy species, as testified by Marsigli, are fried by the Italians and cut into squares with salt and oil to be taken as food. The Elaphomyces itself, which possesses a nauseating odor, is eagerly devoured by pigs and other animals. Indeed, it is said that the powder of the spores is harmful to the eyes, but this is only mechanically, like any other foreign body intruded into the eyes. — The drying power of the compact capillitium hair-like network of the species is truly remarkable, used for stopping blood, once very celebrated and confirmed in the modern century. It acts by obstructing the damaged vessels. Oriental peoples use the spore powder in the diarrhea of cattle. In dyeing, Boccone and other Italians mention the use of Scleroderma; tinder is prepared from the compact capillitium.

SYNOPSIS of the genera, distinguished primarily by the peridium and capillitium:

• With the receptacle distinct from the peridium. — An abnormal genus, with the vegetation of the Phallus.

1. BATARREA. Receptacle arising from a volva, stipitate stalked, pileate cap-shaped, villous-powdery on top.

** With no distinct receptacle.