Lycoperdaceae 



FAMILY II. LYCOPERDA'CE^E. 



Peridium sessile, usually with a more or less thickened base or some- 

 times stipitate, at maturity filled with a dusty mass of mingled threads 

 and spores. 



This order contains many of our most delicious and important food 

 species. The characteristics of all genera are given. In several of them 

 no species are reported edible, but it is more than probable that all are. 

 The genera are therefore given in this table, but are omitted in place to 

 save room. The omitted genera are Nos. i, Polyplocium; 2, Batar- 

 rea; 3, Myriostoma; 5, Astreus; 6, Mitremyces. 



TABLE OF GENERA OF LYCOPERDACEjE. 



I. VOLVAT-ffi. 



Outer peridium a thick, firm, persistent coat, bursting irregularly or 

 splitting from the apex downward into segments. 



(#) Inner peridium stipitate, the outer remaining as a volva 

 at the base of the stipe. 



i. POLYPLOCIUM. 



Inner peridium pileate, with aculeiform processes underneath ; threads 

 of the capillitium slender, hyaline, scarcely branched. 



2. BATARREA. 



Inner peridium circumscissile, the upper part coming off like a lid; 

 threads of the capillitium with spiral markings. 



(#) Inner peridium sessile, the outer splitting into segments 

 which become re flexed. 



3. MYRIOSTOMA. 



Inner peridium dehiscent above by many mouths; columella .. ; 



threads of the capillitium simple, tapering to each extremity. 



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