110 



rather opeu woods about five miles east of Lafayette. The specimen was 

 immature, not yet having begun the formation of spores, and was firm, 

 white, and solid. (See Fig. 1.) it measured about 40 cm. in diameter and 

 weighed 9t pounds. The .specimen was so large that it would not go into 

 the ovens where heat could be applied and unfortunately spoiled before we 

 devised a method of drying it. On October 9, 1911, Mr. F. J. Pipal and 

 the writer visited the locality where the large specimen came from and 

 found in the immediate vicinity a whole "colony" of large puff-balls vary- 

 ing from 10 or 12 cm. in diameter up to the size of the one described. 

 Several were collected and some were preserved. On September 1(3. 1912, 

 nearly one year later, this locality was again visited by Mr. Fipal and the 

 writer with the hope of finding another crop of giant i)uff-balls. Xo fresh 

 specimens were faund, but nevertheless observations were made which 

 may be of some interest. To our great suri)rise a nunil)er of old six'cimens 

 of the crop of the previous season were still attached in their original 

 position, and ait hough somewliat weathered still retained their globose 

 form and were in an excellent state of preservation. (See Fig. 2.) That 

 such large frail objects would withstand weathering for so long a time 

 had nnt occurred to us as at ;ill likely. <tne of the best of these was 

 brought in and is now in our collection. It is now 30 cm. in diameter and 

 weighs only 4i oz. Judging from the siz<' it is safe to say that this specimen 

 nnist have weighed seven or eight pounds when fresli. Tiie ]»eridinm is 

 thin and pajiery and irregularly si)lit and toni in the uiiper jtart, after the 

 manner described I»y the older authors. Xees in his Systema der Pilze 

 (1816) presents a very good illustration of this species, PL 11, Fig. 12-i. 

 There can be no doubt that this plant normally remains attached to the 

 place of growth. The capillitium is very unlike that of Jioiistclla or Myce- 

 nastnim, consisting of long, branching, intertwined threads which are uni- 

 form in size, 4-.^ //, and smooth. The spores are globose, inedinni-sized. 

 4-n //, smooth. 



In October. 190."), when Dr. Arthur collected the Mijcrnasirum speci- 

 mens near Lafayette, several other larger forms were brought in. Two 

 of these which average about IS and 23 cm., respectively, in size are pre- 

 served in our collection. The characters of these specimens are unusual 

 and considerable difficulty has been experienced in reaching a conclusion 

 concei'uing their identity. The capillitium and spores agree with the giant 

 puff-ball, as does also their large size and the manner in which the jieridiuni 

 ruptures. The slrictrire of th<' peridiuni. however, ajijiears very different. 



