Part 18

In the species M. bispora the spore sacks contain but two spores and these are much larger than the sporidia of those which contain eight. This characteristic, however, can only be determined by the aid of the microscope.

Cooke figures a specimen taken from those published by Sorokin in Thumen's Exsiccata, and calls it a variety of Morchella Bohemica Kromb. He says that it is not unusual to find M. Bohemica with two or four sporidia in some of the asci, mixed with others containing more, some specimens being entirely tetrasporous, and some, as the variety bispora, usually containing but two sporidia. Cooke contends that M. bispora is simply a bisporous form of Morchella Bohemica, and calls it M. Bohemica var. bispora. It is not as common as other species.

Fig. 9 represents asci of M. bispora showing the two spores in each ascus.

FIG. 4. =Morchella conica.= "Conical Morel."

EDIBLE.

Cap conical or oblong-conical, margin adhering to the stem, the prominent ridges longitudinal and irregularly bisected with shorter ones; the whole plant hollow throughout; color pale tan or ochraceous yellow, growing dingy and darker with age; stem white; spores elliptical.

This species is quite plentiful in some localities; the flavor is like that of M. esculenta.

Fig. 5. Sectional view of M. conica.

Fig. 10. Ascus, sporidia and paraphyses.

FIG. 6. =Morchella deliciosa= Fries. "Delicious Morel."

Cap nearly cylindrical, blunt at the top, and usually much longer than the stem, adnate. Plant hollow throughout. Stem white. Spores elliptical.

Fig. 7. Sectional view of M. deliciosa.

Fig. 11. Ascus, sporidia, and paraphyses.

The Morchella deliciosa is highly esteemed as an esculent wherever eaten. Split open and stuffed with bread crumbs seasoned with pepper, salt, and butter and a pinch of thyme or onion, steamed in a hot oven, and served with butter sauce, this mushroom makes a very savory dish.

Note.--Small specimens have been selected for illustration in this plate in order to utilize as much as possible the plate space.

PLATE IV. STRUCTURE OF THE AGARICINI, GILL-BEARING MUSHROOMS.

Fig. 1. Cap or pileus umbonate, a; stem or stipe fistulose, tubular, b; gills or lamellae adnate, and slightly emarginate.

Fig. 2. Gills remote, i. e., distant from the stem. (See a.)

Fig. 3. Gills adnexed, partly attached to the stem at their inner extremity, a.

Fig. 4. Gills emarginate, with a tooth, as at a; stem stuffed.

Fig. 5. Cap obtuse, e; gills free, i. e., reaching the stem but not attached thereto (see a); b stem stuffed.

Fig. 6. Cap umbilicate, slightly depressed in the centre, b; gills decurrent, i. e., running down the stem. (See a.)

Fig. 7. Basidium, cell a, borne on the hymenium, or spore-bearing surface of the gills; b, stigmata; c, spores.

Fig. 8. Gills adnate, i. e., firmly attached to the stem at their inner extremity, as at a.

Fig. 9. Cap, with border involute, i. e., rolled inward. (See a.)

Fig. 10. Lamellae or gills dentated or toothed. (See a.)

Fig. 11. Cap with border revolute, i. e., rolled backward. (See a.)

AGARICINI. Fries.