MUSHKOOMS AND OTHER COMMON FUNGI. 47 



GASTEROMYCETES. 



Key to Gasteromycetes. 



Developed under ground, at first inclosed in a universal volva con- 

 sisting of three distinct layers, the outer firm and elastic, the 

 second gelatinous, and the inner thin and delicate Phallace^e. 



Developed above ground, peridium consisting of two or more dis- 

 tinct layers, usually globose to pyriform, with a mouth or irregu- 

 lar opening, spores a powdery mass at maturity with well-devel- 

 oped capillitium LycoperdacejE. 



Developed at the surface of the ground, peridium dehiscing irregu- 

 larly by the splitting or decay of the upper part, capillitium 

 absent Sclerodermace^e. 



Developed above ground, peridium at first partly closed, funnel- 

 shaped to cup shaped, containing one to many sporangioles Nidtjlariace^;. 



PHALLACEJE (stinJchorn fungi). 



Most of the species belonging to the family Phallacese are charac- 

 terized by a disagreeable odor. The plants grow below the surface of 

 the ground or on decayed stumps. The mycelium, or vegetative part, 

 forms coarse, ropelike strands from which the fruit body arises and 

 which in its early stages is commonly known as an "egg" because of 

 its form. The outer part of the egg forms the volva and consists of 

 outer and inner membranes, between which is a gelatinous substance. 

 The central portion of the egg is occupied by a tubular receptacle or 

 part bearing the gleba (hymenium). The receptacle elongates rap- 

 idly and at maturity ruptures the volva, thus exposing the spore- 

 bearing mass. Species of this family have highly developed charac- 

 ters, such as color, taste, and odor, which, by attracting insects, insure 

 the dissemination of the spores. 



Key to Phallacex. 

 Receptacle with hanging cap : 



Gleba borne on a special cap — 



Stalk with an appendage extending below the cap Dictyophora. 1 



Stalk without an appendage Ithyphallus. 



Receptacle without hanging cap : 



Gleba borne on the upper portion of the stalklike receptacle Mutintjs. 



DICTYOPHORA. 



The name Dictyophora, meaning net bearer, is descriptive of the 

 delicate netlike appendage, a character peculiar to this genus, but 

 more or less conspicuous in the different species. The stalklike recep- 

 tacle consists of spongy, cellular tissue. The species here discussed 

 are of fairly wide and common occurrence. 



i By some authorities, Dictyophora and Ithyphallus are described under the generic name Phallus, of 

 which Phallus impudicus is the common type. 



