130 



A REVISION OF THE GENUS BOVISTA. 



like other vegetable cells, are liable to vary in size, form, and 

 colour ; hence statements respecting spores are those expressing 

 the most frequent condition, and farther, are considered as one 

 factor only in a specific character ; to me it appears quite as 

 unsatisfactory to frame so-called new species on the strength of 

 real or supposed minute differences in spore size, form, colour, or 

 ornamentation, as is the custom with some at the present day, as it 

 was on the part of the older mycologists to depend altogether on 

 naked eye or pocket-lens features. Nevertheless it is much to be 

 desired that in every specific description, spore characteristics, as 

 given above, should be stated, as after the extremists of the present 

 day have passed away, future fungologists, whom it is to be hoped 

 Will recognise the importance of all parts of the structure, may be 

 glad of the information. 



A. Spores globose, icarted or sjnnulose. 



1. Bovista juglandiformis Berk, in Herb. no. 4584. 

 Subglobose, sessile, cortex thick, persistent and cupulate at the 

 base, peridium polished, rigid, dark brown, mouth small, apical ; 

 mass of spores and capillitium olive tinged rufous ; threads flaccid, 

 pale, rarely branched, much curled and interlaced; spores brown, 

 globose, minutely warted, about 16 \i. diam., pedicels long, 

 (60-70 //.) thick, reddish olive. (Type in Herb. Berk. Kew, 

 no. 4584).- Remarkable for the size of the spores and the very 

 long, stout, coloured pedicels. On the ground. S. Africa. From 

 1-1| in diameter. 



2. B. Zeyhbri Berk, in Herb., no. 4588.— Subglobose, often 

 with a small rounded rooting base ; cortex thick, ochraceous, 

 cupulate and persistent below, peridium cinnamon, minutely 

 granulose or powdery, mouth small ; mass of spores and capillitium 

 umber; threads pale, simple, much curled; spores brown, coarsely 

 spmulose, 10-12 ,i. including spines. (Type in Herb. Bk. Kew, 

 no. 4588.) On the ground. S. Africa. About H in. diam. 



3. B. Hi-ALOTHRix Cke. & Mass. (Grev., March, 1888). 

 Subglobose ; cortex very thick and fibrous, forming a persistent 

 cupulate base ; peridium minutely rugulose, dehiscing by a small 

 apical pore; mass of spores umber ; threads of capillitium colour- 

 less, simple, much curled and interwoven, about 5-6 /jl. diam, ; 

 spores globose, palo brown, coarsely spmulose, 10-12 /x. diam. 

 (Type in Herb- Kew). On the ground. N.W. of Lake Allacutya, 

 Victoria. <C. French). Alliecf to B. circunueum B. and i>. 

 jnglandifonnis ]). A little more than an inch in diameter. 



4. 11. irregularis Berk, in Herb. no. 4585. — Subglobose, 

 irregularly nodulose or lobed ; cortex pale, fibrous, soon disappear- 

 ing ; peridium thick, elastic, ochraceous, becoming purple-brown: 

 mass of spores and capillitium brown with tinge of purple ; threads 

 simple, pale, much curled; spores globose, pale purple-brown, 



* The bracketted reference in all instances indicates the value and locality 

 of the specimen from which the specific diagnosis, spore measurements, *C-, 

 have been taken. 



