ession, and then cutting it open will find
both the head and the stem hollow. Where are the spores? There are no
gills as in the Agarics, nor are they concealed in a covering
(peridium), as in the Puff-balls, but they are contained in delicate
sacs on the cap. The exterior surface of the cap is the spore-bearing
portion, and the spores are developed in their sacs, but only seen under
a microscope.

+HELVELLA = the yellowish mushroom.+

This genus may be readily recognized by the form of the cap, which is
lobed and irregularly waved and drooping, often attached to the stem.
They grow on the ground in the woods, and sometimes on rotten wood. The
genus comprises the largest of the Disc fungi known, some species
weighing over a pound. Cicero mentions the Helvellas as a favorite dish
of the Romans.

+THE TRUFFLE = delicacy.+

It will be well to finish this section with the mention of the Truffle.
It may yet be found in the United States, but hitherto its place of
growth has been on the continent of Europe, and especially in France,
where it forms an article of commerce, and is highly prized as food. It
is subterranean, and requires for its discovery a higher sense of smell
than man possesses. It is generally found by the hog and the dog, who
are trained to help the truffle hunters. There are some species in our
country that resemble it, and grow underneath the ground. One, found in
the Southern States, called Rhizopogon, grows in sandy soil. This
species, however, does not belong to Class II., but to Class I., the
Gasteromycetes, or Stomach fungi. It is not likely that the beginner
will find this mushroom, so no description will be given.

GENERAL HELPS TO THE MEMORY.

There are certain facts which if committed to memory will be of great
help to beginners in classifying mushrooms. There are distinctive
features belonging to different genera, which will be enumerated as
follows. These facts apply to the order of Agarics, containing the
largest number of familiar mushrooms. They have been placed in tables
for the convenience of the beginner, and are arranged without regard to
family relationship.

_Mushrooms Containing both Volva and Ring (Annulus)._

There is only one genus that has both volva and ring. Amanita.

_Mushrooms with Ring and no Volva._

1. Pholiota.
2. Annularia.
3. Stropharia.
4. Psalliota.
5. Armillaria.
6. Lepiota.

_Mushrooms that have the stem attached on the side (lateral)