58 



NATURAL HISTORY BULLETIN. 



the next but has more widely expanded segments, 3-4 inches. 

 Distinguished also by the peculiar secondary cup formed as 

 described by the retraction of the inner layer of the outer 

 peridium. N. A. F. 2735. 



4. Geaster saccatus Fries. 



Outer peridium multifid, segments 6-8; inner peridium 

 from y 2 to 1 inch in diameter, globose, sessile, pallid or 

 brownish; the ostiole conic, ciliate-fimbriate, seated in a defi- 

 nite, circular area, the areole; columella prominent, clavate, 

 reaching the center; capillitium and spores brown; threads 

 much thicker than the spores; spores globose, minutely 

 warted, 3-5 n in diameter. — Morgan. 



Not common. Distinguished by the less widely expanded 

 segments of the outer peridium, whence the inner peridium 

 remains semi-enclosed, even at maturity. The curious splitting 

 of the outermost layer of the outer peridium so that the rays 

 are vertically lined or striate is also characteristic. 



5. Geaster striatus DC. 



Outer peridium expanded, at length reflexed, tough, leath- 

 ery, smooth within, brown, outer cuticle pallid or yellowish, 

 parted to beyond the middle into 6-8 rather uniform seg- 

 ments; inner peridium ^2-^ inches in diameter, globose, 

 usually sessile, or with a very short pedicel, smooth, bluish- 

 brown or light amber color, with a conical, prominent, sulcate- 

 plicate ostiole, not in a definite areole; capillitium and spores 

 brown; threads much thicker than the spores; spores globose, 

 minutely warted 3.5-5 p in diameter. 



Not uncommon in undisturbed woods, at the base of well- 

 rotted stumps or beside rotten oak logs. A very pretty, uni- 

 form, little species; recognizable by its elongate, striate peri- 

 stome. 



6. Geaster hygrometricus (Pers.) Pries. 



Outer peridium deeply parted, segments 7~ 2 °> very thick 

 and rigid, within brownish, at length deeplv fissured, without 

 gray or grayish-brown, about 2-3 inches in diameter, when 



