THE SAPROPHYTIC FUNGI OF EASTERN IOWA. 



57 



thicker than the spores, long and tapering; spores globose 

 minutely warted, 2.5-5 P m diameter. 



Formerly common about the stumps of our primeval trees, 

 now rare although met with occasionally; generally more or 

 less gregarious. One of our largest species, when expanded 

 somewhat resembling G. hygronictr/cas, but easily distinguished 

 by its pedicellate sac, as by other particulars. N. A. F. 1309. 



2. Geaster fornicates Hitds. 



Outer peridium divided normally into 4 nearly equal seg- 

 ments, which bend backward almost perpendicularlv and rest 

 by their tips on the sac- or salver-shaped open outer envelope, 

 without pale or yellowish, within brown and smooth; inner 

 peridium about y± of an inch in diameter, borne upon a short, 

 pallid, generally constricted pedicel, broadly ovoid or globose, 

 at base with a sharply defined apophysis, grayish or brownish 

 with a yellowish or yellowish-white areole at the top con- 

 tinued into the fimbriate ostiole. 



Rare. On the ground in woods, especially among pine 

 leaves. A very curious and remarkable plant, easily recog- 

 nized when open by the manner in which the vaulted inner 

 layer of the outer peridium is poised upon the expanded tips 

 of the outer layer of the same. A more elegant device for 

 exposing the fruit for spore-dispersal can hardly be imagined. 



3. Geaster triplex Jungh. 



Outer peridium 4-6 parted, the thick fleshy layer breaking 

 away about the middle and separating into two retreating 

 parts the proximal forming a cup; the inner peridium about 

 an inch or more in diameter, depressed-globose, sessile, pallid 

 or brownish, the mouth broadly conic, ciliate-fimbriate, seated 

 in a definite circular area; columella clavate, reaching to the 

 center; capillitium and spores brown, the threads much 

 thicker than the spores; spores globose, minutely warted, 

 4.5-5.5 \i in diameter. 



Rather common. Growing gregariously in loose soil about 

 old logs or stumps in the woods. The species resembles 

 IV— 1 e 



