Order III. NIDUIyARIAC:^^. Tul. 

 Birdsnest Fungi. 



Spores produced on sporophores, compacted into one or 

 more globose or disciform bodies, contained within a distinct 

 peridium. — Berkeley Oiitlines. 



The genera included under this natural order are as follows : 



Cyathus. — Peridium cup-shaped, of different membranes. 



Crucibulum. — Peridium of one uniform membrane. 



NiDULARiA. — Peridium globose, sporangia involved in 

 mucous. 



SphcEroboIvUS. — Peridium double, sporangia ejected. 



Genus XI. CYATHUS. Pers. 



Peridium composed of three membranes, at length bursting 

 at the apex, and closed by a white membrane. Sporangia 

 attached to the walls by an elastic cord. — Berkeley Outlmes. 



C. Striatus. Hoffm. Birdsnest. 



Truncate, broadly open, externally ferruginous, hirsuto- 

 tomentose, internally lead color, smooth, striated. 



Sporangia, whitish, broadly umbilicate ; covering of the 

 cup thin ; spores thick, oblong. 



This is a common fungus, growing on old stumps all through the Valley. 



Genus XII. CRUCIBUI^UM. 



Peridium consisting of a uniform, spongy, fibrillose felt, 

 closed by a flat, furfuraceous cover. Sporangia plane, attached 

 by a long cord, springing from a little nipple-like tubercle. — 



Berkeley Outlines, 



170 



