CLASSIFICATION 473 



var. hoylei. — Closely resembling the type form, but distinguished 

 by the sterile l:asal portion being very compact and bright olive- 

 green in colour. 



On the ground among leaves under trees, etc. 



L. atropnypurenm. — Peridium pear-shaped or subglobose, size 

 variable, 1-2 J in. across, plicate below, sessile or the well-developed, 

 large-celled sterile basal stratum continued as a short, stout, stem- 

 like base ; peridium thin, flaccid, with slender brownish spines 

 which becomer shorter downwards ; these soon fall away in the 

 upper portion, leaving a smooth surface, dehiscing by a small, 

 irregular apical opening ; mass of spores at first ohve, then dark 

 umber, finally blackish purple ; capillitium dense, threads coloured, 

 irregularly branched. 



Known from L. echinatum by the dark-coloured, large-celled 

 sterile base and slender spines. 



On the ground in woods, etc. 



L. gemmatuni. — Peridium subglobose or top-shaped with usually 

 a subglobose head supported on a stout, cylindrical, well-developed 

 sterile base ; the head is usually lacunose on the under side, closely 

 covered with large pointed warts, each of which is surrounded b\' 

 a ring of minute warts, dehiscing by a small apical opening, 1-2 i in. 

 across ; spore-mass olive, then brown ; capillitium dense, forming 

 a central mass or columella, which can be seen when the spores 

 are blown away ; stem-like base, 2-5 in. high, stout, often 

 lacunose. 



Often growing in pairs from the same base. Known by the 

 crowded warts, each surrounded by a ring of minute warts. When 

 the large warts fall away, these rings of warts remain. 



In woods and thickets, among grass, ferns, etc. Common. 



L. piriforme (PI. XXXVI, fig. 7). — Peridium pear-shaped to sub- 

 globose, usually umbonate, i-2| in. high, thin and flaccid, covered 

 with subpersistent, minute, fasciculate spines, dehiscing by a small, 

 torn apical opening ; mass of spores olive, then brown ; capillitium 

 dense, forming a conspicuous columella. The base of the peridium 

 is furnished with a number of snow-white strands of mycelium. 



Generally densely tufted and connected by numerous white, 

 branching strands. Typically pear-shaped with an umbo, some- 

 times subglobose. 



On rotten wood, also on fallen branches. Common. 



L. ccpceforme. — Peridium subglobose, slightly narrowed at the 

 base and continued as a slender, tapering root, J-i in. across, 

 whitish or yellowish ; wall thin and papery, minutely scurfy, be- 

 coming smooth ; mass of spores yellow, then olive, finally brown ; 

 capillitium composed of dark-coloured, branched threads. 



Our smallest puffball, rarely exceeding § in. diam. 



In pastures, on hedge banks, etc. 



