470 BRITISH FUKC.l 



famil}^ is the presence of numerous very slender, simple or branched 

 threads or hyphce. mixed \vith the spores. These threads col- 

 lectively constitute the capillitum. 



Key to the Genera 



Wall of peridium consisting of two layers, the outer layer 

 smooth and breaking away in irregular patches, leaving the 

 blackish or dull lead-coloured inner layer entire, and ^^■ith a small 

 aperture at the apex, through which the spores escape. Bovista. 



Cortex or outer layer of the peridium broken up into spines 

 or warts, which fall away, leaving scars on the wall of the inner 

 layer, which contains an opening at the apex for the escape of the 

 spores. Lycoperdon. 



The two layers of the wall of the peridium not separating. The 

 upper portion of the wall of the peridium breaks away in irregular 

 patches to admit of the escape of the spores. Calcatia. 



The two outer layers of the wall of the peridium split from the 

 apex into a number of pointed lobes or teeth, which bend outwards, 

 exposing the unbroken inner layer containing the spores, \Ahich 

 escape through a definitely formed mouth or opening at the apex. 



Geaster. 



General structure agreeing with that of Geaster. Differing only 

 in having several mouths or openings through \\-hich the spores 

 escape, instead of one only. Myriostorna. 



Resembhng a minute Lycoperdon, about | in. in diameter, sup- 

 ported on a long, slender stalk. Recognized by having a minute 

 collar surrounding the stem immediately below the peridium. 



Tidostoma. 



Peridium circular in outline, much compressed, in other words, 

 biconvex ; supported on a \-ery long, harcl, fibrous stem, which is 

 sheathed by a well-developed vol^•a at the base. Battarrea. 



NOTES OX THE GENERA 



Bovista 

 The wall of the peridium is double, the outer layer becomes 

 papery and breaks away in irregular flakes. The inner layer is 

 parchment-like and persistent, dehiscing by an apical opening. 

 Sterile base absent. The peridium is always sessile, and is not 

 ornamented with spines or warts, as in the genus Lycoperdon. 



Lycoperdon 

 Wall of peridium composed of two layers, as in Bovista, but the 

 outer one breaks up into spines or crowded warts, which often fall 

 away as the fungus reaches maturity. The inner wall of the peri- 

 dium is persistent, and dehisces by a definite opening at the apex. 

 Sterile base usually well developed, often extending downwards 

 as a more or less elongated, stem-like base. 



