Lycoperdaceae 



outer peridium is cartilaginous-gelatinous, hard and rigid when dry, Geaster. 

 swelling greatly and flexible when wet ; though constantly becoming 

 more and more cracked and fissured, it retains its hygroscopic qualities 

 a long time, and the outer peridium remains lying on the soil, stellate 

 in shape, spreading out its rays in moist weather and bending them 

 inward in dry. Morgan. 



Mr. Morgan made a new genus Astraeus, in which he placed this 

 species. It is so widely known as Geaster hygrometricus that to avoid 

 confusion it is placed in its old genus. 



This natural barometer, spreading its stellate covering on the soil 

 about it when the air is laden with moisture, and closing it around 

 its puffy body when humidity is absent, is odd and interesting. The 

 entire genus is more or less gifted with this weather-wise quality. The 

 species is very common, but seldom found in number. Once, in the 

 West Virginia mountains, 1882, I found a large patch of it, and was 

 able to collect from it enough young ones to test its edibility. It is 

 difficult to find before it bursts its outer coat. When young it is, 

 when cooked, soft and creamy inside. The outer part is tough and 

 semi-glutinous but of pleasant texture. It has not a marked flavor, but 

 makes a succulent dish. 



58i 



