DESCRIPTIONS OF SOME FAMILIAR MUSHROOMS. 141 



almost black. It is tough and cup-shaped, with 

 ridges across it like an ear. The generic name, 

 Hirneola, means a jug, and the specific name, 

 Auricula Judae, a Jew's ear. 



GASTEROMYCETES, OR STOMACH FUNGI. 



SCLERODERMA VULGARE = hard, skin, common. 

 The Common Hard-skinned Mushroom. 



This species closely resembles the common 

 potato in shape and color. It generally meas- 

 ures 2 to 3 inches across, and is of a pale brown 

 color. It grows close on the earth, is folded 

 toward the base, and firm in texture. The 

 cuticle is covered with warts or scales. 



CRUCIBULUM VULGARE = crucible, common. 

 The Common Crucible. 



This little fungus is about \ of an inch 

 across. It resembles a tiny bird's-nest with 

 eggs in it. At first it looks like a cottony knot, 

 closely covered ; its apex is closed by a mem- 

 brane, then its covering is thrown off, and the 

 apparent tiny eggs are merely smaller envelopes, 

 called the peridiola. These are lentil-shaped 

 and pale, and are fastened to the inside of the 



