North Americatt Fungi. 143 



the gleba large and few in number are specially segregated into 

 distinct closed peridiola containing the spores ; in the most of 

 cases however after the formation of the spores disorganization of 

 the hymenial elements ensues caused by deliquescence. 'The 

 changes in the gleba are always accompanied by corresponding 

 varied and sometimes remarkable transformations of the peridium; 

 the thickened base may be developed downward into a distinct 

 STIPE with the entire peridium upon its apex; it may be developed 

 upward into a stipe carrying the gleba or the inner peridium at 

 its apex, while in the one case the whole peridium in the other its 

 outer layer remains behind as a volva to the base of the stipe. 



TABLE OF ORDERS OF GASTROMYCETES. 

 A. Terrestrial. 



a. Feridiwn double. 



1. PHALLOiDEiE. Pcridium becoming transformed into a recep- 

 tacle of various shape, with a volva at its base. Gleba becoming 

 -dissolved into a dark green mass of jelly. 



2. Lycoperdace^. Peridium sessile usually with a more or less 

 thickened base or sometimes stipitate, at maturity filled with a 



■dusty mass of mingled threads and spores. 



b. Peridium single. 



3. SclerodermaceoE. Peridium discrete from the gleba, often 

 Aviih a columella ; cells of the gleba subpersistent. 



4. Hymenogastrace^. Peridium concrete with the gleba, 

 indehiscent ; cells of the gleba persistent. 



B. Epiphytal. 



5. Nidulariace.^. Peridium cyathiform, open at the top, con- 

 taining one or more distinct peridiola. 



ORDER I.— PHALLOIDE^. 

 Myceliuai funicular, rooting extensively. Peridium at first 

 ovoid, with an inner and outer coat and a thick gelatinous 

 layer between them, traversed by a central column surrounded 

 by the gleba; at length ruptured by the development of a 

 receptacle of various shape bearing the gleba, and remaining 

 as a volva at its base. Gleba becoming dissolved into a mass 



