CLATHRUS 21 



BASIDIOMYCETAE. 



Fungi reproduced by spores borne on basidia. 



HOMOBASIDIAE. 



Basidia simple; spores on germination giving rise to a myc'elium. 



*EU-HOMOBASIDIINEAE. 



Saprophytes. 

 GASTEROMYCETALES. 



Hymenium inclosed at maturity within a peridium. 



PHALLINEAE. 



Peridium globose, consisting of three layers, the middle one gelatin- 

 ous, at length ruptured, with the lower portion forming a volva at 

 the base. Gleba at length mucilaginous, consisting of labyrinthiform 

 cells, attached to the variously shaped receptacle, and finally borne 

 upwards. 



CLATHRACEAE. 



Receptacle trellised, or dividing into arms, or branches at the apex, 

 sessile, or stipitate. Gleba internal, or between the arms or branches. 



Clathrus (Micheli) Pers. 

 (K\eWpov, lattice.) 



Peridium globose, becoming torn into irregular lobes at the apex. 

 Receptacle forming an obovate, or globose, hollow lattice, covered 

 on the inside with the mucilaginous gleba. Basidia bearing 4-8, 

 sessile, or subsessile, smooth, colourless, cylindrical spores. Growing 

 on the ground. 



1. C. ruber (Mich.) Pers. (= Clathrus cancellatus (Tourn.) Fr.) 

 Rolland, Champ, t. 108, no. 245, as Clathrus cancellatus. 



Ruber, red. 



Volva 5-10 cm., white, globose, becoming torn into irregular lobes 

 at the apex, attached at the base by a cord-like mycelium. Receptacle 

 vermilion, or pinkish red, obovate, or globose, sessile, forming a 

 hollow, pentagonal net-work, perforated in lattice-, or trellis-fashion, 

 flattened on the outer surface, torn, and irregular on the inner side, 

 and covered with olive brown mucus. Spores white, cylindrical, 

 5-6 x 2/>i. Smell extremely foetid. Woods, plantations, gardens and 

 stoves. Sept. Nov. Rare, (v.v.) 



