cups which are thicker, firmer, more flaring, smooth inside and 

 smoother outside than other species. The "eggs"' or peridioles are 

 black (though covered with a very thin, white membrane) and they 

 are much larger than any other species known (usually 5 mm. in 

 diameter). 



CYATHUS STERCOREUS (Fig. 139). This is the manure- 

 loving species, and is usually found on cakes of manure or in manured 

 ground, such as gardens, lawns, fields, etc. The cups are even in- 



Fig. 139. 



side, and with shaggy hairs outside. When old they become smoother, 

 and are sometimes mistaken for Cyathus vernicosus. 5 However, when 

 once learned, the plants can be readily distinguished by the cups. 

 Cyathus stercoreus varies considerably, however, as to shape and size 

 of cups, according to habitat. If growing on cakes of manure, they 

 are snorter, more cylindrical ; if in loose, manured ground, especially 

 in grass, they are more slender and inclined to a stalk at the base. 

 The latter form is called Cyathus Lesueurii. The peridioles or "i-ggs" 

 of Cyathus stercoreus have no tunica whatever, hence they are blacker 

 than other species. All three of the other common species are equally 

 abundant, both in Europe and the United States, but Cyathus ster- 

 coreus, while very common in the United States, is very rare in 

 Europe. I have seen in a garden near Cincinnati the ground under 

 currant bushes covered for yards in extent with the little cups as 

 thick as they could stand. 



We have presented the four common species of Bird's-nest fungi 

 in such a manner that we feel they should be easily recognized. And 

 these four are all the species that most of our rea'ders will ever find. 



A picture of the species is published in Miss Marshall's book and labeled Cyathus veH 

 ' er< f lsnogood reason why any one who examines the spores should confuse the two 

 M WSJ stercoreils has v,-rv lartze, subglobose spores, 30 to 50 mic. while vernicosu* 

 has small, elliptical spores, rarely 15 mic. long. 



to term l l hi ^"\ l !",? d , iction of what Tlllas " c stales as to the same plant is only a contradiction a* 

 itself and is of a d"ff S " e tunica in ihissj>ecies is for us the outer coat of the peridiole 



designate as a tunica. 



304 



