Sphcerobolus 



NIDULARIACE^l 



485 



Peridium globose, of two layers, the inner at length extruded 

 elastically and ejecting a single peridiolum. 2096, 2097 



Peridium homogeneous, sessile on a broad base, subrotund then 

 urceolato-ventricose ; peridiolum extruded from the apex of 

 the peridium. 2098 



2096. S. stellatus Tode (from the stellate mouth of the peridium) 



a b c. 



Pe. minutely tomentose, at first immersed in a thick web of white 

 Myc., opening above in a 5- to y-stellate manner, elastically 

 extruding the inner layer and ejecting a globular yellowish or 

 orange peri. ; pale yellow or pale yellowish-buff, darker or 

 orange within. The peri, which encloses basidia and spores is 

 ejected for 8 or more inches with a slight clicking sound. 



Usually crowded in troops. Rotten wood, sawdust, earth of old stumps, 

 twigs, leaves, rotten grass. Often in stoves and greenhouses. Jan.-Dec. 

 Diam. ^ in. 



2097. S. dentatus W. G. Sm. (from the toothed peridium ; dentatus, 



toothed) a. 



Pe. finely pilose with erect hairs, springing from scanty brownish 

 Myc., opening above in a 4- to 7-stellate manner, the rays clad 

 with long white hairs, which at first converge over the opening, 

 outside pale livid-buff to vinous-brownish, pale brown or brown, 

 inside white, ivory, white-greyish or faint olive-ivory, ejecting a 

 reddish-brown peri. 



Scattered. Dead elder. Failand, Bristol, Aug. 1888, R. Baker. Diam. -^ in. 



Fig. 139. Sphcerobohis^ tct-rcstris W. G. Sm. 

 'A, seen from above ; B, seen from side ; c, section. X 12. D, basidium and spores. X 660. 



