iE'iportance is sometimes given, is composed of larger plants, 

 ■will oil range in diameter from 2 to 12 inches or more, according 

 to the species. These plants when matnre rupture irregularly, 

 the commonly thicker rind breaking up in angular and unequal 

 fragments and falling away, thus permitting the spores to be dis- 

 sipated and scattered by the winds. 



Though no deleterious species of puff-ball is known, the flavor 

 of the smaller kinds, so far as I have tried them, is much inferior 

 to that of the larger. Only the latter, therefore, are recom- 

 mended for food. It is possible, however, that some of the 

 smaller sorts not yet tried, may be well flavored, and may yet be 

 introduced by experimenting mycophagists into the list of edible 

 species. 



The Giant puff-ball, Lycoperdon giganteum, is the largest spe- 

 cies known. Specimens of medium size are 8 to 12 inches in 

 diameter. Smaller and much larger individuals sometimes oc- 

 cur. The largest specimen in the State Museum is about 15 

 inches in diameter in the dry state. When fresh, it was much 



larger — probably 20 inches 

 or more in diameter; they 

 shrink greatly in drying. In 

 the larger specimens the ver- 

 tical diameter is generally 

 less than the horizontal, so 

 that the shape is that of a de- 

 pressed globe, or a round loaf 

 of bread. The smaller ones 

 are usually less depressed. 



Giant Piiff-Ball. LyroiuTrlon g-israiiteuni 

 one-sixteenth usual size. 



about 



and are therefore more nearly 

 globular. The color is white, 

 or whitish, until by age it becomes dingy or somewhat yellowish 

 or brownish. Its surface is nearly or quite smooth, and in grow- 

 ing it rests upon the ground, as it has no stem or stemlike base to 

 support it. \Anien approaching maturity, greenish-yellow stains 

 appear in the ]ireviously snow-wliite flesh. At length the whole 

 interior becomes a soft cottony, but dusty mass of a dingy yel- 

 lowish brown hue. 



This puff-ball grows in fields, pastures and waste places, and 

 by roadsides. It is by no means frequent, though it has a wide 

 range, and has been recorded from iSTew England on the east, to 

 California on the west, and as far south as Xortli Carolina. I 

 jknow of no reason why it may not occur in every state of the 

 Union. AVith us it usually appears in August and September. 



12 



