Fig. 862. 



peridium. I fail to see on dried specimens the "variegated cortex" 

 from which it gets its name. Nor can I make out from my specimens 

 the difference between granulatus and asperulus. 



CATASTOMA ANOMALUM, FROM MISS A. V. DUTHIE, 

 SOUTH AFRICA (Fig. 862). The occurrence of this peculiar little 

 species in South Africa is of much interest. 

 It is the only Catastoma with a definite, pro- 

 truding mouth and is unique in this respect. 

 Heretofore it has been known principally 

 from Australia, where it is apparently the 

 most frequent species. The South African 

 form is not exactly the same as the usual 

 Australian. The mouth of these specimens is 

 merely mammiform, while in the Australian 

 plant it is usually definitely tubular. Also the color of the Australian 

 plant is usually a rich brown, while the African specimens are less 

 colored. The spores are smaller, measuring 4-5 mic., and about 6 mic. 

 in the Australian. Of course, the South African plant would be a "new 

 species" for some, but it is the same as the unique Australian species 

 in its main characters, and is best so referred. 



LYCOPERDON CRUCIATUM, FROM F. STOWARD, AUS- 

 TRALIA (Fig. 863). Lycoperdon cruciatum is a common species in 

 the United States (cfr. Myc. Notes, pp. 

 214, 231, Plate 51), and it is not infre- 

 quent in Europe. We get it from South 

 America, but this is the first specimen 

 we have received from Australia, where 

 it must be very rare. We never had it 

 from Africa, and it seems to be replaced 

 in South Africa by Lycoperdon endote- 

 phrum, which has the same peculiar cor- 

 tex, but violaceous gleba. Excepting 

 these two species there is no other Lyco- 

 perdon where the cortex peels off in 

 flakes. At Kew there is a single specimen 

 of Lycoperdon cruciatum from Australia, 

 We included and illustrated it in our 

 Lycoperdacese of Australia, page 32, under this name, stating at the 

 time it was probably Lycoperdon cruciatum, a fact of which we are 

 now assured from Dr. Steward's specimens. It has the same gleba 

 color, spores, capillitium, diaphragm, distinct sterile base, and similar 

 *ough stronger cortex, and paler and firmer endoperidium. The 

 slight differences do not make a species. The distribution of fungi is 

 most peculiar. This species so common with us in the United States, 

 is evidently most rare in Australia. On the other hand, Lycoperdon 

 pratense, absent from the great portion of the United States, and 

 known only trom a small region in our Northwest, is the most frequent 

 species they have in Australia. 



610 



Fig. 863. 



called Lycoperdon stellatum. 



