A HISTORY OF SUSSEX Graphidiei [continued) — Pyrenocarpei Opegrapha Turneri, Leight. Eastbourne Verrucaria irridula, Schrad. Eastbourne — herpetica, Ach. Hastings — mauroides, Schoer. On flints — „ var. rufescens, Pers. Hastings — biformis, Borr. Eastbourne — inusta, Ach. Eastbourne — nitida, Weig. On trees — dendritica, Ach. Trees — „ var. nitidella, Flk. „ Stigmatidium crassum, Dub. Eastbourne — gemmata, Ach. „ Arthonia astroidea, Ach. Trees — epidermidis, Ach. „ — cinnabarina, Wallr. On oaks — olivacea, Borr. Eastbourne — pruinosa, Ach. Eastbourne FUNGI Since Sussex abounds in woodlands, parklands and copses, these together with its commons and downs render it rich with respect to the fungi, and of late years much attention has been paid to this very interesting division of our cryptogams. Both the West and the East Sussex Natural History Societies have engaged their members in what have been named ' fungus forays ' with excellent results. While some fungi are poisonous and beautiful others are esculent and delicious. I have eaten about twenty species, and among these may be commended Lactarius deliciosus, Hydnum repandum. Boletus edulis, Cantharellus cibarius and Hehella crispa. Lycoperdon giganteum was, I was told by Mr. W. Cooke of Chichester, one of the best of the fungi he knew. In east Sussex Agarkus procerus^ Fistulina hepatica and Coprinus crispus have been well spoken of with Agarkus gambosus; but the last species I have heard of as productive of violent pains. Indeed great care should be taken with respect to certain kinds represented by Badham and others as good for food. Of the rarer species, Entoloma jubatus has been mentioned as occurring near Goudhurst, and Clkophilus popinalis at Worthing, while Spharia fraxinkola has been found near Lewes, and S. triglochinkola near Ringmer. Lists of the epiphyllous fungi have been published by the Chichester, the Eastbourne and the Hastings Natural History Societies. The morell, Morchella esculetita, is one of the most delicious of our Sussex species. It grows above ground and is plentiful in many of our beech woods and hangers. I have eaten none better than those from Sutton and Stansted. Somewhat similar in flavour is the truffle [Tuber cibarium), which also loves the shadows of the beech and the chalky soil of our downs ; they grow entirely underground. Patching was noted for its abundance of truffles. The Sussex truffler I am told trains his dog, a cross between a poodle and a terrier, by habituating it to their scent, and carries an ash staff with a pointed head at one end to dig up the truffle, and a two-pronged fork at the other to clear away the ground. The time for hunting for them is from September to December, and some of the best are got when the dead leaves are rotting at the tree roots. The most extraordinary of our esculent species is the crisped sparassis {Sparassk crispa), cream-coloured and of a delightful fragrance. It has been known to attain a diameter of eighteen inches and resembles bb
