TAXONOMY 



279 



constricts off usually four basidiospores. The earth stars differ 

 from the puff balls in possessing an outer wall or exoperidium which 

 splits in star-shaped fashion. 



Order 2. Nidulariales, the nest fungi. A group of Gasteromy- 

 cetes whose sporophores are crucible- or crater-like. These arise 

 from a subterranean mycelium and show 

 an" outer and inner peridial layer. The 

 outer peridium is roughened at its base. 

 The inner peridium is leathery and may 

 or may not be continued over the top. 

 When mature the crucible-like body 

 shows black seed-like bodies inside which 

 resemble eggs in a bird's nest. .Each 

 one of these is connected with the inner 

 peridium by a cord which resembles the 

 umbilical cord of an animal. These 

 inner bodies are called periodiola (sing. 

 peridiolum). Each peridiolum consists 

 of a hard glistening outer layer and a 

 spongy inner layer surrounding a cavity 

 into which basida and basidiospores pro- 

 ject. These fungi are found in stiff 

 clayey soil. 



Order 3. Phallales, the carrion or 

 stink-horn fungi. This, the highest 

 group of the Autobasidiomycetes, con- 

 sists of highly and characteristically 

 colored forms which, when mature, emit 

 most vile and penetrating odors. The 

 fruiting body, in each instance, begins 



, , , . , FIG. 148. Mature stink- 



as an egg-shaped structure which starts horn> Diayophora duplicate 

 its growth from a widely spread under- (Harshberger, from photo, by 



, ,. , , -,-. i W.H. Walmsley.) 



ground mycelium of chalky- white color. 



As the "eggs" enlarge they push above the surface of the ground. 

 The central portion, elongating, then breaks through the outer or 

 peridial portion, which remains as a cup or volva at the base of the 

 mature fruit body. Upon the summit of the central stalk rests the 



