204 



STATE BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



Fig. 13. 



Fig. 14. 



Figure 13. The Conical Morel, (a) a cap or pilous; (b) Btem. The right hand figure representi 



a lengthwise section. 

 Figure 14. The Delicious Morel (Morchella deiiclosa). Natural size.— (Original.) 



PUFF-BALLS. 



Puff-balls belong to one of the most interesting groups of fleshy fungi. 

 Every person who frequents the fields and woods is familiar with the 

 dust-filled, cotton-stuffed balls, which invite the attack of the small boy 

 with a stick, but only the few are aware of the fact that they are a 

 desirable and safe addition to the fungus bill of fare when in their early 

 stage of growth. When in this condition they are quite solid and white 

 inside considerably resembling cottage cheese in appearance. However, 

 upon the first signs of discoloration and wateryness inside they should 

 be rejected, for this is an indication of over-ripeness for eating. 



The Lead Colored Puff-Ball. (Bovista phimbea.) Fig. 16. 



A description of the development of one member of the group will 

 sufiSoe for all and for this purpose one of the small species has been 

 ohosen, the little Lead-colored Puff-ball. 



A warm rain almost any time during spring and summer months is 



