SCLERODERMA. 169 



S. vulgare. Common Scleroderma. 



Peridiuttl, corky, hard, sessile, opening by fissures, inner 



mass bluish black. 



Spores, dingy. 



Common all through the Valley. Can pick bushels of it in some 

 localities. 



S. verrucosum. Pers. Warty Scleroderma. 



Peridium, with a very short stem or almost sessile, warty, 

 thin, and fragile ; flocci and spores brown. 

 Common in open woods and roadsides. 



S. geaster. Fr. 



Mycelium a mass of fibres, larger than the plant itself. 



Peridium, corky, hard, rough, dehiscing into irregular 

 stellate limbs, buried part of the sessile base in the ground. 

 Inner mass dark brown or black. The limbs, when extended, 

 measure from four to five inches. 



This interesting plant is scarce in the Valley. Found it growing at the 

 side of the mountain road leading to a place called Stein's Spring, near 

 Macungie, Pa. 



There is a disagreement among the different authorities as to the 

 priority of the different names of this plant. A. P. Morgan, of Preston, 

 Ohio, the best authority in America, may be consulted 011 this subject. 



