Ohio Mycological Bulletin No. 8. 



31 



mass — but the color "seems to be the only distinguishing character and 

 this may not be constant." 



One may expect to find in our region also the Elm Pleu-ro'-tus 

 (P. ul-ma'-ri-us), so called because often found growing on the dead 

 branches or trunks, or from wounds in living trees, of the Elm. It is 

 not, however, confined wholly to the Elm. "It is a large species," as 

 Atkinson says, "easily distinguished from the Oyster Agaric and the 

 other related species by its long stem attached usually near the center of 

 the cap, and by the gills being rounded or notched at their inner ex- 

 tremity." 



Another interesting Pleurotus is the Petal-like Agaric ( Pleu-ro'-tus 

 pet-a-loi'-des ), fine specimens of which were found at Columbus in the 

 spring, growing by the sidewalk, apparently from the ground but in 

 reality from rotten wood underground. It grows also on fallen branches 

 and trunks and on stumps. The plant is usually ascending or nearly 

 upright in position, somewhat spatulate in form or broad above and tap- 

 ering downward into a short stem. The margin is at first turned in- 

 ward. The color may be white, but is also sometimes pale reddish or 

 brown. A peculiar character serving well to make the identification of 

 this small species quite certain, is the fuzzy appearance of the gills when 

 looked at with a pocket lens, or even with sharp eyes. It is due to the 

 presence of numerous enlarged cells of peculiar form, called the cys- 

 tid'-i-a. 



Pe-zi-z.a'-ce-.\e. — The interesting Pe-zi'-za Family has already been 

 referred to (p. 15) and some figures given. We include in this Number 

 two cuts of charming forms that botanists place in this group. While 

 they are too small to be favorably regarded from the esculent point of 

 view, they could not go unheeded by those who notice the peculiar growths 

 and beautiful colors in nature. These and other species may be found 

 in shady woods that have not been despoiled by the demands of agri- 

 culture and other destructive industries of civilization. The brilliant 

 cups of Pezizas Fig. 3li and 37, nestled in bright green moss and deli- 

 cate fern, might form a center-piece for the dining table that would 

 complement the pleasure of the delicious viands. Their aesthetic use 

 justifies the encroachment we make on the space of the Bulletin pages, 

 though of course half-tones illy show them — expensive colored figures 

 might almost do them justice. The Pezizas retain their shape and bright 

 color equally long, even longer than the best boquets of flowers — proper 

 moistening or protection from excessive evaporation enhancing their period 

 of usefulness. 



Fig. 37. Sar-co-scy'-pha floc-co'sa. Floccose Peziza. On rotten branches on the 

 ground. Cup bright red within and surrounded by long, white hairs. Stem and 

 •outside of cup whitish. Photograph from specimens collected at Sandusky, Ohio. 



