194 DECADES OF FUNGI. 
grey, investing the matrix, and common to the whole mass. 
On the surface of this, and sunk into it to about a fourth 
part of their height are crowded the numerous slightly ob- 
long individuals, but perfectly distinct from it except at the 
very base, where there is not the slightest trace of a pe- 
duncle. Interior peridium j4, of an inch high, x broad, 
paper-like, minutely granulated above, where it is of a rich 
chestnut brown when moist, paler with a pinkish tinge 
below. Orifice beautifully fimbriated, seated in a slightly 
depressed circular disc. Capillitium converging from the 
inner walls towards the centre ; flocci simple, slightly nodose, 
through their whole length inarticulate, without any trace of 
an internal membrane ; spores abundant red-ochre globose 
or slightly angular echinulate, containing a subglobose va- 
riously sized nucleus. The corky base consists of irregular 
branched anastomosing inarticulate threads. When fresh or 
moistened it exhales a strong scent of aniseed, and presents 
when cut an appearance somewhat like that of the flesh of 
Fistulina hepatica. 
No genus can be more distinct. Its affinities with Geaster 
are so striking that they need scarcely be indicated. It is 
to W. H. Harvey, Esq. that I am indebted for my spe- 
cimen. 
Tas. VI. A. Fig. 1. Broomeia congregata, nat. size; f. 2- 
section of ditto, slightly mag. ; f. 3. flocci and spores, mag. 5 
f. 4. spores and flocci magnified 780 diameters, after a sketch 
by Dr. Montagne ; f. 5. flocci of stroma, mag. 
* Spheria (Connate) cenopus, Fr. 
Cuming. Philippine Islands, n. 2163. 
I have seen no specimen from this locality except in Mr. 
Webb's set of the Philippine collection. 
