GASTEOMYCETES. 9 



Fmn. 11. SCLERODEEMEAE. 



Appearing above ground at jnaturity. Peridium thick, 

 not composed of distinct layers, dehiscing irregularly ; 

 capillitium absent. 



Fam. III. NlDULARIEAE. 



Peridiola globose or compressed, free at maturit}- witliin 

 the peridium. 



Fam. IV. Lycoperdeae. 



Peridium consisting of two or more distinct layers ; sjiores 

 forming a powdery mass at maturity, and mixed with a 

 well-develoi3ed capillitium. 



Fam. V. Phalloideae. 



Volva at first continuous, with a middle gelatinous stratum, 

 spores when mature immersed in a greenish mucilage, and 

 elevated out of the volva on a variously-shaped receptacle. 



ANALYSIS OF THE GENERA. 



Hymenogastreae. 



Octaviania. — Sterile base of peridium well develojied ; 

 spores globose, warted. 



Melanogaster. — Sterile base of peridium absent ; spores 

 elliptical, smixjth. 



Hydnangium. — Peridium without a sterile base ; spores 

 globose, warted. 



Hysterangium. — Gleba cartilagineo - glutinous ; spores 

 minute, elliptical, smooth. 



Rhizopogon. — Peridium with vein-like fibres on the sur- 

 lace ; spores smooth. 



Hymenogaster.— Sterile base of peridium well developed ; 

 spores large, elliptical or fusiform, rugulose or 

 nodulose. 



