GEASTEK. 39 



upwards and attached to the outer by the tips of the 

 segments only ; endoperidium shortly pedicellate, oljpyriform, 

 peristome conical, ciliato-sulcate ; spore-mass dark brown 

 with purple tinge ; columella slender ; spores globose, 

 warted, 3-5 fx. 



Geaster fornicatus, Berk., Outl., p. 299 ; Cke., Hdbk., n. 1071 ; 

 Mass., Mon. Gast., p. 80, f. 42. 



On the ground amongst leaves, &c. Distinguished by the 

 inner layer of tlie exoperidium becoming arched and attached 

 to the outer layer by the tips of the rays only. Very variable 

 in size. 



B. Endoperidium sessile or suhsessile. 



Geaster striatus. D.C. 



Exoperidium split into a variable number of thin, 

 coriaceous, acute segments ; endoperidium subsessile, globose, 

 usually minutely rough with projecting points, peristome 

 prominent, conical, fluted ; spore-mass umber brown ; spores 

 globose, warted, 4—5 • 5 /x. 



Geaster striatus, Berk., Outl., p. 300; Cke., Hdbk., n. 1072; 

 Mass., Mon. Gast., p. 85, f. 28. 



On the ground. Distinguished by the absence of a pale 

 silky ring round the peristome from G. limhatus. Measuring 

 lV-2fl^ in. when expanded. 



Geaster Michelianus. W. G. Sm. 



Exoperidium thick, often cracked outside, splitting to the 

 middle into 4-6 acute segments, inner layer thick, crumbling 

 away; endoperidium subsessile ovate, peristome piano- 

 conical, ciliato-flmbriate, pale ; spore-mass brownish umber ; 

 columella large, clavate ; spores globose, warted, 4-5 /a. 



Geaster Michelianus, W. G. Smith, Gard. Chron. (1873), n. 

 18 ; Mass., Mon. Gast., p. 84, f. 27. 



Geaster lageniformis, Cke., Hdbk., n. 1079, fig. 113 ; 

 Grev. ii. p. 35, pi. 13. 



On the ground. The young plant is ovate-acuminate 

 before the splitting of the endoperidium. Distinguished by 

 the thick, rigid endoperidium, and the large club-shaped 

 columella ; 2-3 in. across when expanded. 



Geaster lageniformis. Vitt. 

 Exoperidium ovate-acuminate, splitting into a variable 



