Hiffory of tbe Britifo Stellated Lycoperdons. 47 
nearer each other than the amount of the femi-diameters of the 
circles formed by the expanfion of their refpective rays, and thefe 
plants open nearly together, the rays of the laft which expands muft 
lie imbricated over the rays of the firft. Or, if they fhould open 
at the fame inftant, the rays muft be prevented from their full ex- 
panfion, and remain fupported by each other; in which cafe the 
heads muft be below, or on a level with the tips of the rayson that 
fide, whilft on the other the plants would be fully expanded *. 
The fame appearance muft happen to a fingle plant, if in confe- 
quence of meeting with any obftruétion it is permitted only to open 
partially; of which inftances are given by Mr. Bryant (p- 30—32), 
and reprefented in his plate, fig. 16, 17. A ftill ftronger inftance is 
given in the fame place, of a plant, which from growing in a hole 
was prevented from expanding at all, and remained confequently 
with the rays furrounding thehead. Fig. 2. of his plate, though 
not given with that defign, well reprefents this; and, with the 
others juft quoted, will fully explain and exemplify what is here 
allerted; - . … 
I5. It feems not very uncommon for the Lycoperdon fornica- 
tum to grow in pairs, forming a kind of twin plantt.. I have fe- 
veral times met with fuch, and in one particular fpot have for three 
fucceflive years found fpecimens anfwering that defcription, One 
of thefe, which was gathered in the laft autumn (1790), I have now 
the honour of laying before the Society. Thefe plants grew on 
the flope of the north fide of a fteep bank, abfolutely free from any 
— bufhes or briers, and covered entirely with grafs and mofs, which 
prevented the foil from running. The Aa of the ground 
E Vide Schæff. t. 182. f. 2. where this is well exemplified. - 
_ 4 Batarra, app. p. 74. mentions receiving a twin plant: of this Lycoperdon from a cor- 
refpondent. - 
on 
