1 66 I^YCOPERDACK^. 



Genus IX. I^YCOPE^RDON. Fr. Puffballs. 



Mycelium fibrous, rooting at the base. Peridium small, 

 globose, obovate, with a thickened base ; cortex with more or 

 less spines, scales, warts, or granules. Inner peridium thin, 

 dehiscent by an apical mouth. Subgleba cellulose, continuous 

 with the capillitium. Capillitium and spores very abundant. 

 Threads of two kinds : one set arises from the peridial wall 

 and the other set from the subgleba. 



This genus includes puffballs with an apical opening, 

 whereas the Clavatia has none. 



They are divided into two series, a purple-spored series and 

 an olive-spored series. 



Purple-spored Series. 



I/, echinatutn. Pers. 



Peridium, ovoid, with a narrow base, mycelium of slender 

 white fibres ; cortex covered with long brown spines, often 

 coherent at the apex. 



Subgleba, taking up one-third of the cavity. 



Spores and capillitium, olivaceous, then violet, to brownish 

 purple. 



Growing on decayed leaves in open woods. Spring Creek woods. 



I/, pulcherrinum. B. & C. 



Peridium, obovoid, with a short base, mycelium a cord-like 

 root ; cortex covered with white spines, coherent at the base. 



Subgleba, medium large. 



Spores and capillitium, at first olivaceous, then brownish 



purple, spores globose, minutely warted. 



Scarce in well-manured fields and woods. Found specimens in different 

 localities. 



I/, atropurpureum. Vitt. 

 Peridium, dingy rufous, opening by a minute obtuse mouth, 

 bark at first rough, with spines, sterile base, broad and shallow. 



