THE DISCOMYCETES OF EASTERN IOWA. 24 1 



over several centuries. The first available reference to the 

 name Pezisa used as a botanical term, under which most of 

 those forms now included in the Pezizinea were at first 

 studied, is in " Plinie's Naturall Historie, 1 ' Vol. 2, p. 7, Chap. 

 3, a translation published in 1601 from the original written 

 about 70 A. D., and reads as follows: " Within the province 

 of Cyrenaica in Affrick, there is found the like excresence 

 called Missy, passing sweet and pleasant, as well in regard of 

 the smell as the taste, more pulpous also and fuller of 

 carnositie than the rest: likewise, another of that nature in 

 Thracia. called Ceraunium. As touching all the forts of 

 Mushromes, Toad-stools, Puffes, Fusbals or Fusses, these 

 particulars following are observed, First it is known for 

 certain, That if the autumn be much disposed to raine, and 

 withall the aire bee troubled and disquieted with many 

 thunders, during that season: there will be good store of such 

 Mushromes, &c, especially (I say) if it thunder much. * * 

 ******* As touching the Truffles or Mushromes 

 of Afia, the most excelent of all others be neare unto L,amp- 

 sacum and Alopeconnesus: but the best that Greece yieldeth 

 are in the territorie about the citie Elis. In this Toad-stoole 

 or Mushroome kind are those flat Fusses and Puffes to be 

 reckoned, which the Greeks name Pezitcv (Pezici): as they 

 have no root at all, so they bee altogether without either stele 

 or taile." 



Whether the plants referred to in this article are the same 

 as those now included under that name is not known. 



In 1719, Dillenius in "Catalogus Plantarum " p. 194-196 

 describes several species of Pezisa. 



In 1769, Linnaeus in Systema Natura Vol. 3, p. 725 

 describes several species of fungi under the same name. 



In 1791, Bulliard in Historie des Champignons described 

 and illustrated many species belonging to both the Pezizinece 

 and the Helvellinecp. Other authors who have described 

 much material belonging to this group are Persoon, who 

 published Synopsis Methodica Fungorum in the year 1801, 



