34 NEW YORK STATE MUSEUM 



be unimportant as an edible mushroom on account of its small 

 size. It has been very abundant in the capitol lawn the last two 

 seasons. It has not a very high flavor but it is harmless and 

 relishable when fried in butter and may therefore be classed as an 

 edible species, though some authors say that there are no edible 

 species of Psilocybe. When uncooked its taste is strong and dis- 

 agreeable. 



Bovista pila B. & C. 

 EOUND BOVISTA 



PLATE 84, FIG. 14-18 



Peridium globose or' subglobose, 1-3 inches in diameter, the 

 outer coat very thin, at first smooth, white or whitish, soon break- 

 ing up into minute scurfy scales or becoming minutely rimose 

 squamulose, finally disappearing and revealing the rather firm 

 papery but persistent, tough, glossy brown inner coat; capil- 

 litium dense, persistent, brown ; spores even, globose, .00016-.0002 

 of an inch broad. 



The round bovista takes its specific name from its resemblance 

 to a ball. It is quite globose and about 2 inches in diameter 

 when well developed, but sometimes it is more or less irregular. 

 When young it is white or whitish externally and pure white 

 within. It is edible only while in this condition. As soon as 

 the interior begins to change color it is no longer fit to eat and 

 should be discarded. As it advances in age the surface or outer 

 coat shrivels and breaks up into minute scales or scurf and after 

 a time disappears. The inner coat is then smooth and tough 

 like parchment. In maturity it is brown, purplish brown, seal 

 brown or dingy coppery brown, sometimes shining and sometimes 

 showing obscure patches of the exceedingly thin dried and 

 brownish outer coat still adhering to it. It ruptures irregularly. 

 The interior is then seen to be a dense towy and more or less 

 dusty mass similar to the interior of a fully matured puffball. 

 In this condition it often persists through the winter and may be 

 found in fairly good condition for specimens after its hibernation. 

 It grows either in woods, pastures or meadows and in suitable 

 weather may be found from July to So]itember. 



