y must yield the palm to Sweden in
respect to them. In an allied genus, that of _Irpex_, the texture
assumes a coriaceous consistence, and we find its species to be more
especially inhabitants of warm climates.

Most of the genera of _Auricularini_ are cosmopolitan, and the same is
true of some species of _Stereum_, of _Corticium_, etc., which are met
with in countries of the most different geographical position. In
tropical countries, these genera of fungi assume the most curious and
luxuriant forms. The single and not considerable genus _Cyphella_
appears to be pretty uniformly distributed over the globe. The
_Clavariaei_ are equally universal in their diffusion, although more
plentiful in the north; however, the genus _Pterula_ possesses several
exotic forms, though in Europe it has but two representative species.
That beautiful genus of _Hymenomycetes_, _Sparassis_, occupies a
similar place next the _Clavariaei_, and is peculiarly a production of
the temperate zone and of the coniferous region.

The fungi which constitute the family of _Tremellini_ prevail in
Europe, Asia, and North America, and exhibit no marked differences
amongst themselves, notwithstanding the distances of the several
countries apart. It must, however, be stated that the _Hirneolae_ for
the most part inhabit the tropics.

We come now to the _Gasteromycetes_--an interesting family, which
exhibits several ramifications or particular series of developments.
The most perfect _Gasteromycetes_ almost exclusively belong to the
warmer division of the temperate, and to the tropical zone, where
their vegetation is the most luxuriant. Of late the catalogue of these
fungi has been greatly enriched by the addition of numerous genera and
species, proper to hot countries, previously unknown. Not uncommonly,
the exotic floras differ from ours, not merely in respect of the
species, but also of the genera of _Gasteromycetes_. It must, besides,
be observed that this family is rich in well-defined genera, though
very poor in distinct specific forms. Among the genera found in
Europe, many are cosmopolitan.

The _Phalloidei_ present themselves in the torrid zone under the most
varied form and colouring, and comprise many genera rich in species.
In Europe their number is very restricted. As we advance northward
they decrease rapidly, so that the central districts of Sweden possess
only a single species, the _Phallus impudicus_, and even this solitary
representati