THE SAPROPHYTIC FUNGI OF EASTERN IOWA. 



63 



entiation or specialization found among fungi. Color, odor, 

 and mucilaginous spore-mass have reference doubtless all to 

 insect aid or agency in the dispersal of the spores. In this 

 respect therefore these fungi stand related to most others as 

 the entomophilous flowers to those which are anemophilous, 

 and exhibit correspondent economy in the production of repro- 

 ductive cells with more abundant outlay in other directions. 1 

 Our species are all included under two genera — 



Pileus attached to the receptacle at the apex only. . . I. Phallus. 

 Pileus wholly adnate to the top of the receptacle. . . II. Mutinus. 



I. PHALLUS. 



Receptacle spongy, cylindric, the pileus attached to the 

 receptacle at the apex only and bearing the gleba; gleba 

 dark or olive-green in color, the spores elliptic. 



KEY TO THE SPECIES OF PHALLUS. 



A. Receptacle bearing an indusium or veil. 



a. Apex bare and perforate. ..... 1. P. d.emonum. 



b. Apex imperforate 2. P. duplicates. 



B. Receptacle without indusium or veil. . . . 3. P. impudicus. 



i. Phallus daemon um Rumphius. 



Volva just at the surface of the ground, irregularly lacerate, 

 its segments inflexed or erect; receptacle when fully expanded, 

 6-10 inches lonjj, erect, white, looselv cellular, one inch to an 

 inch and a quarter in diameter, perforate and annulate at the 

 apex; indusium white, coarsely reticulate, dependent but a 

 short distance; pileus campanulate, short; gleba at first smooth 

 dark green or black, at length reticulately pitted, spores trans- 

 parent, colorless, elliptic 2x4,". 



This is our common species; not abundant, but with us 

 from midsummer to October every year. Sometimes solitary, 



1 Notwithstanding the unpleasant odor, it is hoped that persons who 

 may discover specimens of this group will take pains to preserve them and 

 transmit them to the University. The interest attaching to all species is 

 great and there can be small doubt that the number of Iowa species is 

 really much greater than would appear from our present list. 



