[180] In the Roman market the Morell is held in little esteem, and sells for 4d. or 5d. per lb. Three varieties of the esculenta are brought in by the “Asparagarii,” i. e. the peasants who gather the wild Asparagus on the hills; viz. the M. rotunda, which is almost globose, M. vulgaris, and M. fulva, which is of a tawny colour.
[181] Though the F. hepatica grows both upon oak and chestnut trees, this difference in its origin never perceptibly affects the plant, which is equally good, whether it be gathered from one or from the other.
[182] Whence the vernacular names, “Orgella,” “Orgelle,” and “Oreille.”
[183] Most authors compare this odour to that of fresh meal, but as several friends think with me that the above comparison is more accurate, I have ventured to substitute it.
[184] Mr. Berkeley says rose-coloured; Vittadini pale rust-colour; but I find that on placing a watch-glass thickly coated with spores on fine brown-holland, the colours very nearly correspond.
[185] Berk. Brit. Fung.
[186] The lobes are at first nearly white, afterwards of an ash-grey colour on the under surface; the upper, or that which bears the seed membrane, continuing white.
[187] Another species of Peziza, the P. cochleata, grew very abundantly last spring in Holwood Park, Keston. This species is quite insipid, and somewhat leathery, but Mr. Berkeley has seen it offered for sale under the name of Morell.
[188] The toughness is owing to its being stewed too quickly; when properly sweated with butter, as recommended for C. coralloides, it is quite tender.
[189] There are, in fact, three at first, whereof the external one either coalesces with the second, or else peels off in shreds, when the other two become united, and continue to maintain the globular form of the Puff-ball unimpaired, even after the escape of the seed.