38 FUNGUS-FLORA. 



Geaster Schmideli. Vitt. 



Exoperidinm split to the centre into a variable number of 

 acute segments, pale inside ; endoperidium globose-ovate, 

 pedicellate, lead-colour, peristome long, fluted, tip fimbriate ; 

 spores in the mass blackish-umber; columella distinct; 

 spores globose, warted, 4-G fi. 



Geaster Schmideli, Vitt., Mon. Lye, p. 157, t. 1, f. 7 ; Mass., 

 Mon. Gast., p. 78, f. 74. 



On the ground, in open places. Known amongst British 

 species by the whitish inner surface of the exoperidium and 

 lead-coloured endoperidium. 



Geaster Berkeleyi. Mass. 



Exoperidium thinnish, split to the centre into a variable 

 number of acute segments ; endoperidium broadly ovate, 

 pale brown, coarsely papillose, pedicel short, thick, peristome 

 prominent, fluted, surrounded by a smooth, depressed, silky 

 zone ; columella distinct, short ; mass of spores brown ; 

 threads of capillitium simple ; spores globose, warted, 4-6 jm. 



Geaster Berkeleyi, Mass., Mon, Gast., p. 79, f. 41. 



On the ground. Distinguished from G. striatus, to which 

 the present species is most closely allied, in the smooth, 

 depressed zone surrounding the peristome ; 3-31 in. across 

 when expanded. The rays of the exoperidium become 

 slightly incurved when dry. 



Geaster limbatus. Fr. 



Exoperidium cut into many unequal, acute segments ; 

 endoperidium subpyriform, pedicel short, stout, peristome 

 conical, fimbriato-ciliate, surrounded by a pale, silky circle ; 

 spore-mass purple brown ; columella almost obsolete ; spores 

 globose, warted, 3-5 /x. 



Geaster limbatus. Berk., Outl., p. 300 ; Cke., Hdbk., n. 1074 ; 

 Mass., Mon. Gast., p. 79, f. (J9. 



On the ground amongst leaves, &c.. Superficially re- 

 sembling G. rufescens, distinguished by the pedicellate 

 endoperidium. 



Geaster fornicatus. Fr. 

 Exoperidium split into 4-5 STibequal acute segments, 

 the two layers separating, outer, cup-shaped, remaining 

 attached to the ground at the base, inner becoming convex 



