478 



SCLERODERMACE/E 



Polysaccum 



Fam. IX. SCLERODERMACEjE 



Peridium thick with a well-defined base, sometimes forming a 

 stem, opening at the apex in an irregular manner, feebly developed 

 with a sterile base. Capillitium absent or scanty. Species 2085 — 2089 



Key to the Genera. 



Gleba composed of numerous distinct cells containing 



peridiola 117 Polysaccum. 



Gleba cellular, cells without peridiola 118 Scleroderma. 



CXVIL POLYSACCUM DC. 



(From the many small cells within the peridium ; 

 Gr. polus, many, saccos, a bag.) 



Peridium irregularly globose, corky, attenuate downwards into a 

 more or less elongated stem-like base, dehiscing by an irregular 



Fig. 133. — A, b, c, d, Polysaccum pisocarpium Fr., entire and in section. One-half natural 

 size, e, section through part of gleba, showing cavities and enclosed peridiola. X 5. f, basidia 

 and spores. X 250. G, spore. X 750. 



rupture of the apex. Gleba consisting of numerous cells, each con- 

 taining a peridiolum. Peridiola at first saccate or irregularly ovoid, 

 sometimes filling the cell and becoming irregularly polygonal. 

 (Fig. 133.) 



2085. P. pisocarpium Fr. (from the pea-like peridiola ; pisum, a pea, 

 carpellum, a fruit) a b. 

 Pe. irregularly globose or ovate, smooth, subtuberculose, corky, 

 attenuate downwards into a more or less stem-like base, or 



