DESCRIPTIONS OF SOME FAMILIAR MUSHROOMS. 145 



remains as a sheath at the base of the stem. 

 This plant develops so rapidly as to attain in a 

 few hours the height of seven inches, the stem 

 is of lace-like structure, pure white, and its 

 appearance suggests the silicious sponge so 

 ornamental in collections, commonly known 

 as Venus' basket. The drooping cap is also 

 lacey with a network, and the spores drip 

 mucus and then dry up, in the meantime 

 spreading around a carrion-like, fetid smell. 

 The Phallus, therefore, differs greatly in ap- 

 pearance from the other genera of the order 

 when it is seen above ground, but if one is 

 successful in finding it at an early stage, under 

 the surface of the earth, he will realize its re- 

 lationship to the general group, and find it an 

 interesting subject of study. 



ASCOMYCETES, OR SPORE-SAC FUNGI. 



PEZIZA AURANTIA = golden. 

 The Golden Peziza. 



This species is 2 to 3 inches in diameter, its 

 disc is bright orange color, while its exterior is 

 pale and downy, owing to the presence of short, 

 stout hairs. It is sessile or nearly so, and grows 



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