CLAVATIA. 165 



C. maxima. Schaff. Giant PufFball. 



Peridium, large, five to ten inches in diameter, globose, 

 white, cortex flocculose, or smooth and glossy. Inner peridium 

 thin, breaking into fragments, subgleba shallow, or hardly any. 



Spores and capillitium, greenish yellow, threads very long. 



This is the Lycoperdon gigantea of most authors ; it being separated 

 by Fries on account of its dehiscing without a mouth. Edible. Common 

 all through the Valley. 



Nearly everybody, even the schoolboy, knows what a puffball or devil's 

 snuffbox is. They shun it as a dangerous thing to handle, for fear the 

 dust might come in their e3'es and make them blind. The dust is really 

 irritating, and is supposed to have narcotic properties, since the fumes 

 are used to stupefy bees, to get the honey. As irritating as this dust is, 

 so innocent the flesh is when eaten before it turns or is turning to dust. 

 It is then excellent eating. Unfortunately this fungus deteriorates very 

 speedily after gathering. If when cut or broken, yellow stains are seen, 

 it ought not to be used. Mrs. Hussey says each slice ought to be dipped 

 in the yolk of an egg and fried like an omelet. 



The advantage of using puflfballs as a diet is in its large size. One 

 lyycoperdon giganteus is enough for a breakfast of two or three men. 

 Also, it cannot be mistaken for a poisonous fungus, for all puffballs are 

 safe, except the hard Sclerodermae, which are too hard and bitter to be 

 even tasted. 



C. cyathiformis. Bosc. 



Peridium, large, obovate, base thick, with a cord-like root ; 

 cortex smooth, easily peeling off, gray, taking on violet. 



Inner peridium, thin, pale purple, breaking up into scaly 

 fragments. 



Subgleba, large, taking up one-third of the cavity, con- 

 cave or cup-shaped, purple. 



Spores and capiUitium, at first violet, then pale purple. 

 Spores globose, echinulate. 



In external appearance it is very similar to the C. maxima; but the 

 purple spores and subgleba at once gives you the diagnosis. 



Edible. Not as common as the C. maxima, and not quite as large. 

 Along the roadside and grassy lawns. 



