GASTROMYCETES. 9 



Fam. II. SCLERODERMEAE. 



Appearing above ground at maturity. Peridium thick, 

 not composed of distinct layers, dehiscing irregularly ; 

 capillitium absent. 



Fam. III. NlDULARIEAE. 



Peridiola globose or compressed, free at maturity within 

 the peridium. 



Fam. IV. LYCOPERDEAE. 



Peridium consisting of two or more distinct layers ; spores 

 forming a powdery mass at maturity, and mixed with a 

 well-developed capillitium. 



Fam. V. PHALLOIDEAE. 



Yolva at first continuous, with a middle gelatinous stratum, 

 spores when mature immersed in a greenish mucilage, and 

 elevated out of the volva on a variously-shaped receptacle. 



ANALYSIS OF THE GENERA. 



HYMENOGASTREAE. 



Octaviania. Sterile base of peridium well developed ; 

 spores globose, warted. 



Melanogaster. Sterile base of peridium absent ; spores 

 elliptical, smooth. 



Hydnangium. Peridium without a sterile base ; spores 

 globose, warted. 



Hysterangium. Gleba cartilagineo - glutinous ; spores 

 minute, elliptical, smooth. 



Rhizopogon. Peridium with vein-like fibres on the sur- 

 face ; spores smooth. 



Hymenogaster. Sterile base of peridium well developed ; 

 spores large, elliptical or fusiform, rugulose or 



nodulose. 



