472 



LYCOPERDACE/E 



Lycoperdon 



apical stoma; the whole of the upper portion being sometimes 

 evanescent. Sterile base usually stem-like. (Fig. 131.) 



The species are remarkable for their variability in size, very 

 small mature examples of all the species being frequent. They are 

 popularly named " Puff-balls " and " Devil's snuff-boxes." 



Fig. 131. A, B, Lycoperdon echincitutn Pers., young plant entire and mature plant in section. 

 One-half natural size, c, spores. X 750. D, E, L. pyriforme Schaeff., entire and in section. 

 One-half natural size. F, spores and threads of capilhtium. X 750. G, section through cortex 

 of L.gemmatum Batsch X 5 ; H, outer scurfy coat; j, inner coat; K, thin membrane over 

 gleba ; L, gleba. 



Some of the species are dangerous if eaten in a raw state ; rapid 

 inflammation of the throat and a greatly swollen tongue have been 

 known to ensue. This is probably also true of species of Bovista. 



Species 20632077 



Spores rough. 20632068 



Spores smooth. 2069 2077 



2063. L. eehinatum Pers. (from the hedgehog-like spines of the 



peridium ; echinus , a hedgehog) a b c. 



Pe. globose, usually passing into a stout stem, sometimes stem- 

 less, at first covered with large pyramidal floccose spines, 

 vinous-brown varying buff, stoma small, irregularly torn, base 

 usually clad with white thread-like Myc. St. spongy-cellular 

 within. Cap. and Spores deep vinous-brown. 



Usually solitary. Amongst trees, beech. Mar. -Oct. Diam. 2| in. 

 Sometimes made a var. of 2068. 



2064. L. Hoylei B. & Br. (after Mr. Hoyle, who first brought the 

 plant to the notice of the Rev. M. J. Berkeley) a b c. 



Pe. subglobose, passing into a short stem, at first covered with 

 pyramidal floccose spines, purple-brown, stoma small, irregularly 



