180 CHAPTERS ON FUNGI. [June, 



Lycoperdon. 



Peridium membranaceoiaSj with an adnate, subpersistent bark, 

 furnished within at the base with a spongy, sterile stratum. 

 Capillitium (mass of flocci) unequal. 



Lycoperdon gemmatum, Batsch. Studded Puff-ball. Peri- 

 dium membranaceous^ persistent, narrowed at the base, covered 

 with the mealy adnate bark and subspinulose warts ; flocci per- 

 sistent, forming in the centre a columella. Spores yellowish- 

 green. 



Fields and woods, very common. 



An abundant and very variable species, no less than six varie- 

 ties being described in the ' English Flora.' The colour of the 

 plant is a pale brownish-white. 



Suborder 6. Myxogastres. 



An extensive suborder, often exhibiting great beauty of form 

 and colour. In an early stage tbe plants consist of a soft, pulpy 

 substance of various forms, or even shapeless. By degrees this 

 hardens, and a peridium or peridia are formed, which gradually 

 become drier, and at length contain a mass of flocci or plates 

 and spores, in so far resembling closely the Trichogastres. They 

 grow mostly on rotten wood and similar substances. 



To illustrate the group I shall take the genera Lycogala and 

 JEthalium. 



Lycogala. 



Peridium determinate, composed of a double membrane, 

 somewhat warty, persistent, bursting at the apex. Flocci very 

 delicate. 



Lycogala epidendrum, L. Scarlet Lycogala. Subglobose, 

 blood-red, then brownish-grey, punctated-scabrous ; mouth irre- 

 gular; spores becoming pale. — Ch^ev. Sc. Cryjjt. Fl. t. 38. 



On rotten stumps, pales, etc. Spring to autumn ; common. 



A beautiful Fungus in its young state, when it is of a fine 

 pale scarlet colour, with the pulpy interior of a slightly darker 

 shade. As it advances to maturity, the peridium, which is v^ry 

 thin and brittle, changes to a purplish-grey, and the contained 

 mass of spores and flocci is of a purplish hue. The plant, which 

 is about the size of a pea, is gregarious, and sometimes becomes 



