Genus Calvatia 



wrinkling to resemble somewhat the surface of the brain, 

 whence its name cramformis. 



Inner Coat — Thin, ochreous to bright brown, velvety, extremely 

 fragile. The upper part breaks into fragments. 



Subgleba — Occupies half the peridium ; cup-shaped above, per- 

 sistent. 



Spores — Greenish yellow, then olivaceous. Globose, even, with 

 minute pedicel. 



Threads — Long. 



Habitat — On ground in woods. 



Giant Puffball (Edible) 



Calvatia maxima 



Peridium or Pouch — Very large, 8-15 inches in diameter, or larger. 

 Globose, depressed globose, or obovoid, with a thick cord- 

 like root. 



Bark or Outer Coat — Flocculous or nearly smooth, thin, and fragile. 

 White or greyish, becoming yellowish or brown; usually 

 remaining closely adherent to the inner coat. 



Inner Coat — Thin and fragile after maturity, breaking up into 

 fragments. 



Subgleba — Shallow or none. 



Spores and Threads — Greenish yellow, then brownish olive. Spores 

 globose, threads long and branched. 



Time — August to September. 



Habitat — Grassy places. 



Calvatia maxima has been known as Lycoperdon giganteum, 

 and also as Lycoperdon maxima. It has been transferred from 

 the genus Lycoperdon to the genus Calvatia because it ruptures 

 the peridium irregularly to discharge its spores, instead of form- 

 ing a small hole at the apex, as other Lycoperdons do. 



It is asserted on good authority that the giant puffball has 

 been found with a diameter of three feet and a weight of forty- 

 seven pounds. The giant puffball is considered by many as a 

 choice article of food when the flesh is white. It is said that 

 if the flesh of a growing puffball is cut or injured the wounds 

 will fill up with new tissue. It will be interesting for some one 

 to try this experiment. 



In the days before matches came into use, the dry, spongy 

 threads were used as tinder to catch the sparks which flew from 

 the flint-stone when it was struck for fire, and the spore-dust 

 was used to stanch the flow of blood. 



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