138 BA S IDIOM } TE TES 



tribution of the species in the genera Batarrea, Polyplociiiui and 

 Podaxon awaits the careful field work of resident botanists in these 

 regions so fertile in strange fungous productions. 



The genera of the Lycoperdaceae can be distinguished as 

 follows : 



1. Outer peridium remaining like a volva at the base of the stem. 2. 

 Outer peridium splitting into star-like reflexed persistent segments (earth 



stars). 3. 



Outer peridium becoming gelatinous and later disappearing ; root-like 

 base of interlaced fibers ; lining of inner peridium reddish, appear- 

 ing at the star like mouth. Calostoma. 



Outer peridium fragile, more or less deciduous, often covered with 

 warts, spines or scales. 5. 



2. Inner peridium in the form of a pileus, splitting beneath into thick pro- 



cesses. POLYPLOCIUM. 



Inner peridium circumscissile, the upper part separating like a lid. 



Batarrea. 



3. Inner peridium opening by a single mouth. 4. 

 Inner peridium opening by sereral mouths. Myriostoma. 



4. Columella present ; threads of capillitium simple, tapering to each 



end. Geaster. 



Columella wanting ; threads of capillitium long, much branched, inter- 

 woven. ASTRAEUS. 



5. Peridium with a distinct .stalk ; columella if present not extending to the 



apex. 6. 



Peridium sessile or short stalked with a columella extending to the 



apex. 7. 



Peridium sessile with a more or less thickened sterile base. 8. 



Peridium sessile without sterile base, spore-bearing throughout ; threads 



of capillitium free. lo. 



6. Peridium closely attached to the stalk, opening by an apical mouth. 



Tyi.ostoma. 



Peridium readily separating from the stalk, opening irregularly. 



QUELETIA. 



7. Capillitium wanring ; spores borne on more or less lamellar folds. 



Secotium.^ 



* Curious forms with more distinct lamellae, growing in Lower California, 

 New Mexico and Western Texas, have been variously referred to the genus 

 Gyrophragmiiim, a genus originally founded on an Algerian species. The 

 species are, as yet, too imperfectly known to refer definitely to this or any 

 other genus. Here, again, is an opportunity for local botanists to make a 

 genuine contribution to science. 



