LYCOPERDOX. 29 



FAM. IV. 



LYCOPERDEAE. 



Feridium consisting of two layers, rarely single ; spores 

 forming a powdery mass at maturity, capillitium well 

 developed. 



Lycoperdeae, Mass., Mon. Gast., p. 62. 



Trichogastres, Fries, Syst. Myc., iii. p. 3 ; Berk., Outl., 

 p. 298 (in part). 



The leading characteristic of the present group is the 

 presence of numerous differentiated hyphae, constituting 

 collectively the capillitium, mixed with the spores. In many 

 species the endoperidium, or innermost layer of the peridium, 

 dehisces by a definite stoma or aperture. The spores are 

 minute, and in many species the sterigma remains attached 

 to the spore at maturity, resembling a slender stalk. The 

 spores are diffused by wind after their escape from thu 

 peridium. 



LYCOFERDON. Tournef. (emended), (figs. 1, 5, p. 28.) 



Peridium consisting of two well-defined layers, the outer 

 spinose, warted, or smooth and separable, inner layer smooth, 

 dehiscing by a small terminal orifice or the whole of the 

 upper portion disappearing ; sterile basal stratum present or 

 absent: capillitium dense ; spores globose or elliptical. 



Lycoperdon, Tournef., Inst. R. Herb. 563; Berk., Outl., 

 p. 301 ; Cke., Hdbk., p. 372 ; Mass., Mon. Gast., p. 66. 



Bovista, Dillen., Berk., Outl., p. 301 ; Cke., Hdbk., p. 371 ; 

 Mass., Mon. Gast., p. 62. 



Judged from the standpoint of British species alone, 

 Lycoperdon and Bovista appear to be distinct genera, tho 

 former characterised by having the outer layer of the peri- 

 dium spiny or warted, whereas in the last-named the outer 

 layer is smooth, separates from the inner, becomes fragile, 

 nnd falls away in flakes ; but when all the known species of 

 both the above-named genera are examined, it is found that 

 the above distinction does not hold good. There is an unbroken 



