GASTKOMYCETES. 9 



Fam. II. SCLEEODEEMEAE. 



Appearing above ground at maturity. Peridium thick, 

 not composed of distinct layers, dehiscing irregularly ; 

 capillitium absent. 



Fam. III. KlDULAEIEAE. 



Peridiola globose or compressed, free at maturity within 

 the peridium. 



Fam. TV. Lycoperdeae. 



Peridium consisting of two or more distinct layers ; spores 

 forming a powdery mass at maturity, and mixed with a 

 well-developed capUlitium. 



Fam. V. Phalloideae. 



Volva at first continuous, with a middle gelatinous stratum, 

 spores when mature immersed in a greenish mucilage, and 

 elevated out of the volva on a varioxisly-shaped receptacle. 



ANALYSIS OF THE GBNEEA. 



Htme n ogastre ae. 



Octaviania. — Sterile base of peridium well developed; 

 spores globose, warted. 



Melanogaster. — Sterile base of peridium absent; spores 

 elliptical, smooth. 



Hydnangium. — ^Peridium without a sterile base ; spores 

 globose, warted. 



Hysterangiiim. — Gleba cartUagineo - glutinous ; spores 

 minute, elliptical, smooth. 



Khizopogon. — ^Peridium with vein-like fibres on the sur- 

 face ; spores smooth. 



Hymenogaster. — Sterile base of peridium well developed ; 

 spores large, elliptical or fusiform, rugulose or 

 nodulose. 



