Gastromycetes 



Phallus. Growing on the ground in woods. 



Plant 6-8 in. high. Volva 2 in. in diameter. Stem i% in. thick. 

 PileilS 2 in. in height. 



By the elongation of the stem the thin membrane which separates the 

 stipe from the pileus is torn into shreds and the pileus is thus liberated 

 from the stipe except at the apex. Morgan. 



West Virginia, New Jersey, Pennsylvania. Summer and autumn. 

 Mcllvaine. 



P. impudicus makes itself known wherever it grows. The stench of 

 the full-grown plant is aggravatingly offensive, attracting blow-flies in 

 quantities, and the carrion beetle Necrophorus Americanus. It is 

 common over the United States, in woods, open fence corners, along 

 road-sides, but a favorite abode is in kitchen yards and under wooden 

 steps, where, when mature, it will compel the household to seek it in 

 self-defense. It is a beautiful plant. 



When in the egg-shape it is white or light dull-green, semi-gelatinous, 

 tenacious and elastic. As many as a dozen sometimes grow in a bunch, 

 each from a peculiar white, cord-like root or mycelium. They look, 

 when young, like bubbles of some thick substance. In this condition 

 they are very good when fried. They demand to be eaten at this time, 

 if at any. 



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