10 



Plate H. 

 Figs. 1 to 6. — Ithyphallus impudicuslAnn. ''Fcetid Wood Witch.'''' 



In the embryonic stage the plant is enclosed in a volva which is com- 

 posed of three layers, the outer one firm, the intermediate one gelatinous, 

 and the inner one consisting of a thin membrane. The gleba, or spore- 

 bearing portion, in the early stage forms a conical honeycombed cap 

 within the inner shell or membrane, concealing the stem to which it is 

 attached. The stem at this stage is very short, cylindrical, and composed 

 of small cells filled with a gelatinous substance. The volva is about the 

 size of a hen's egg. On maturity it ruptures at the apex. The stem 

 rapidly expands and, elongating, elevates the cap into the air. The stem 

 becomes open and spongy, owing to the drying of the gelatinous matter 

 and its quick expansion. 



The whole plant attains a height of from four to ten inches in a few 

 hours. The hymenial surface is on the outside of the cap, the spores 

 being embedded in its glutinous coated ridges and depressions. The 

 hymenium is at first firm but rapidly deliquesces, holding the spores in 

 the liquid mass. The cap is greenish or greenish-gray in color, changing 

 to a dark bottle-green. In its deliquescent state the odor is very repul- 

 sive. While enclosed in the volva the unpleasant odor is not so percep- 

 tible, and it has been eaten in that condition without unpleasant effects, 

 but in its mature stage it is considered unwholesome, and certainly its 

 offensive odor would be quite sufficient to deter most persons from at- 

 tempting to test its edible qualities. Flies, however, are very fond of the 

 fluid, and consume it greedily and with impunity. It is found in gardens 

 and woods, its presence being detected several rods away by the offen- 

 sive odor. Specimens occur in which the color of the cap is white or 

 reddish. 



In the allied genus Mutinus the pileus is adnate and is not perforated 

 ai the apex. Mutinus caninus resembles impudicas in form, but the cap 

 is '■'ontinuous with, not free froii the stem, and is crimson in color, covered 

 with a greenish-bro^vn, odoiiecs mucus. The stem is hollow, whitish, 

 tinted with a pale yellow or orange color. Not common. 



Genus Clathrus Mich. In this genus the receptacle is sessile, and 

 formed of an obovate globular net-work. At first wholly enclosed in a 

 volva which becomes torn at the apex and falls away, leaving a calyx-like 

 bas " at its point of contact with the stem. 



Fig. 7. — Clathrus cancellatus Tourn. 



Unwholesome. 



Receptacle bright vermillion or orange red, covered at first with a 

 greeuish mucus Avhich holds the colorless spores. Volva white or pale 

 fawn color. Odor strongly foetid. 



