176 JVild Flowers East of the Rockies 



Veil. — Concealed beneath the cap. 



J^olva. — Ovoid, gleatinous, remaining at lower 

 part of stem when plant has burst through. 



Odor. — Very disagreeable, like carrion. 



Habitat. — About decaying wood, under piazzas, 

 on lawns, in woods. 



Not edible. 



GEASTER hygrometricus (Pers.) 



"Water Measuring Earth Star." 

 Pouch. — Globose, depressed. 



Outer case or skin. — Dividing into 7 to 20 seg- 

 ments, tough, drawn closely together when dry, 

 swelling, becoming flexible and spreading out flat, 

 star shaped upon the ground when moist, dingy 

 white in color. 



Inner case or skin. — Globose, pointed slightly at 

 moiith which is irregular, pitted, grayish ; w^hen 

 young, soft and creamy white, containing the spores 

 which are emitted in a brown powder when the fun- 

 gus is touched. 



Spores. — Globose, minutely warted, brown. 



Ste77i. — Wanting. 



Odor. — Not noticeable. 



Taste. — Not strong. 



Habitat. — In sandv fields, verv common July 

 and August. Found all over the United States. 



