Two or three species of _Peziza_ have the reputation of being esculent, but they are of very little value; one of these is _Peziza acetabulum_, L., another is _Peziza cochleata_, Huds., and a third is _Peziza venosa_, Pers.[AH] The latter has the most decided nitrous odour, and also fungoid flavour, whilst the former seem to have but little to recommend them; we have seen whole baskets full of _Peziza cochleata_ gathered in Northamptonshire as a substitute for morels.
A very interesting genus of edible fungi, growing on evergreen beech trees in South America, has been named _Cyttaria_. One of these, _Cyttaria Darwinii_, B., occurs in Terra del Fuego, where it was found by Mr. C. Darwin[AI] growing in vast numbers, and forming a very essential article of food for the natives. Another is _Cyttaria Berteroi_, B., also seen by Mr. Darwin in Chili, and eaten occasionally, but apparently not so good as the preceding.[AJ] Another species is _Cyttaria Gunnii_, B., which abounds in Tasmania, and is held in repute amongst the settlers for its esculent properties.[AK]
[Illustration: FIG. 44.--_Cyttaria Gunnii_, B.]
It remains for us only to note the subterranean fungi, of which the truffle is the type, to complete our enumeration of esculent species. The truffle which is consumed in England is _Tuber æstivum_, Vitt.; but in France the more highly-flavoured _Tuber melanospermum_, Vitt.,[AL] and also _Tuber magnatum_, Pico, with some other species. In Italy they are very common, whilst some are found in Algeria. One species at least is recorded in the North-west of India, but in Northern Europe and North America they appear to be rare, and _Terfezia Leonis_ is used as an esculent in Damascus. A large species of _Mylitta_, sometimes several inches in diameter, occurs plentifully in some parts of Australia. Although often included with fungi, the curious production known under the name of _Pachyma cocos_, Fr., is not a fungus, as proved by the examinations made by the Rev. M. J. Berkeley. It is eaten under the name of "Tuckahoe" in the United States, and as it consists almost entirely of pectic acid, it is sometimes used in the manufacture of jelly.
In the Neilgherries (S. India), a substance is occasionally found which is allied to the native bread of southern latitudes. It is found at an elevation of 5,000 feet. The natives call it "a little man's bread," in allusion to the tradition that the Neilgherries were once peopled by a race of dwarfs.[AM] At first it was supposed that these were the bulbs of some orchid, but later another view was held of their character. Mr. Scott, who examined the specimens sent down to him, remarks that, instead of being the product of orchids, it is that of an underground fungus of the genus _Mylitta_. It indeed seems, he says, very closely allied to, if really distinct from, the so-called native bread of Tasmania.[AN]