184 BOTANICAL. GAZETTE [MARCH 
As soon as the apothecium reaches maturity, the wall begins to 
show several longitudinal fissures, which ultimately separate the 
hymenial portion into 4—6*segments or rays (text fig. 2). These rays 
begin to curve outward as soon as they become separated at the tips, 
and may come to stand at right angles to the stipe (fext jig. 3). This 
position of the rays gives the open apothecium a Geaster-like appear- 
ance. In the case of deep-seated apothecia, the rays do not become 
Fic. 1.—A series of ascomata of Urnula geaster; two of them bisected to show the 
extent of the apothecial cavity and the stipe. 
completely recurved, since their movement is partially prevented 
by contact with the surrounding soil. 
Soon after the dehiscence of the apothecium, dustlike clouds of 
spores may be seen to rise in puffs from the exposed hymenial surface. 
This characteristic expulsion of the spores, together with the form and 
color of the fruiting structure, has secured for the fungus the popular 
name of the “devil’s cigar.’’ A somewhat similar expulsion of spores 
has been noted in various species of Peziza, Helvella, and Bulgaria.’ 
The puffing of the spores is apparently due to loss of moisture, since 
mature open specimens show the characteristic puffing when removed 
from a damp chamber to air of the room. While this is probably 
7 MassEE, G., Textbook of Fungi 110. 1906. 
