GUIDE TO THE MODELS OF FUNGI. ^y 



170. Lycoperdon gemmatum Fr. — Globular with a narrow base, 

 not smooth like Bovista plumbea but scurfy or covered with sub- 

 spinulose warts, white or ochrey-white, opening at maturity with 

 a slightly umbonate mouth ; peridium membranaceous, persistent ; 

 flocci in centre forming a columella, persistent ; spores greenish- 

 yellow. 



This small species is common on downs and in pastures. 



Some of the small species oi Lycoperdon are dangerous if eaten 

 in a raw state; rapid inflammation of the throat and a greatly 

 swollen tongue and neck have been known to ensue. This is 

 probably true also of Bovista. 



ORDER IX.— SCLERODERME^, 



GENUS XXXIV.— SCLERODERMA Pers. 



In Scleroderma the peridium is firm, warty, bursting irregularly 

 at the apex ; flocci adhering on all sides to the peridium, and 

 forming distinct veins in the 

 central mass. There are four 

 British species ; two of these 

 are represented by models. 



171. Scleroderma vul- 

 gare Fr. — Exterior is pale 

 brownish-yellow, flecked with 

 darker squarrose scales : the 



•_. • • ■ i 1 ui LI 1 Fia. 68.— Scleroderma vulgare Fr. (One-half 



mterior is intensely blue-black, natural size.) Basidium with spores X 200. 



speckled with white. 



S. vidgare is common on open places in woods; it is partly 

 immersed in the soil. Odour strong, rank, and disagreeable. It 

 can scarcely be termed edible, yet it has often been eaten, sometimes 

 with the mistaken idea that it is a trufQe. It is frequently used for 

 the adulteration of pate de foie gras. In its young state it has been 

 named Vegetable Tripe, and is perhaps harmless. 



Sometimes this fungus is attacked by a parasite larger than 

 itself in Boletus parasiticus Bull., and this in turn may be attacked 

 by Hyponiyces luteo-virens Tul. 



172. Scleroderma verrucosum Pers. — Stalk short, thick, lacu- 

 nose ; peridium sub-verrucose, thin above, and fragile ; inner mass 

 purplish-black ; flocci and spores brown. 



S. verrucosum grows on sandy ground. 



GENUS XXXV.—POLYSACCUM DC. 



In Polysaccnm the common peridium is simple, rigid, bursting 

 irregularly ; internal mass divided into distinct cells filled with 

 peridiola; spores mixed with the threads. 



