Phalloidese 



and of considerable thickness. It commonly consists of two layers. 

 These form the sac holding the spore-bearing structure, which is called 

 the gleba. The gleba consists of innumerable chambers or cells, 

 curved a""nd branched, and only to be distinguished by magnifying. 

 The primary structure is retained in some species throughout the life of 

 the plants, excepting changes due to growth and maturing, or in others 

 these cells or chambers are large and few, and form distinct peridiola, 

 which contain the spores. 



The maturing of the plant and the consequent changes in the gleba 

 is accompanied by various transformations of the peridium." 



It is impossible within the scope of this book to even name all the 

 genera of Gastromycetes. Professor Morgan's table of the families and 

 table of the genera of Lycoperdacese are here given. The orders are 

 defined as are some of the genera, and the edible species are described. 



TABLE OF FAMILIES OF GASTROMYCETES. 



A. TERRESTRIAL. 

 Peridium double. 



I. Phalloi'dese. Page 570. 



Peridium becoming transformed into a receptacle of various shape, 

 with a volva at its base. Gleba becoming dissolved into a dark green 

 mass of jelly. 



II. Lycoperda'cese. Page 577. 



Peridium sessile, usually with a more or less thickened base or some- 

 times stipitate, at maturity filled with a dusty mass of mingled threads > 



and spores. 



(#) Peridium single. 



III. Scleroderma'ceae. Page 615. 



Peridium discrete from the gleba, often with a columella; cells of the 

 gleba subpersistent. 



IV. Hymenogastra'cese. 



Peridium concrete with the gleba, indehiscent; cells of the gleba per- 

 sistent. (No edible species reported. C. Mcllvaine. ) 



569 



