296 United States Species of Lycoperdon. 



scales or areas and Trhich when old either wholly or 

 partly disappears ; obtuse, at length flattened or de- 

 pressed above, the upper part finally rupturing and leav- 

 ing a brownish cup-shaped base with a lacerated margin ; 

 capillitium and spores dingy-yellow, becoming darker or 

 umber colored with age, the former distinct from the 

 sterile base ; spores smooth, .00016' in diameter. 



Meadows, pastures and grassy places. Sheboygan, Wis. 

 Brown. Minnesota, Johnson. Rocky Mountains, Berkeley 

 and Curtis. Autumn. 



The smaller size, rougher surface and distinct stem-like 

 base distinguish this species from the preceding. The 

 basal remains cf the exolete plant are cup-shaped as in 

 the ney"- species but from that it is easily separated by the 

 absence of any purplish or lilac tints. The name has 

 reference to the rough or sculptured surface, the floccose 

 coating breaking up into small areas patches or masses in 

 such a way as to suggest the idea of an engraved surface. 

 After the dispersion of the capillitium and spores the 

 inner surface of the cup appears smooth and even owing 

 to the accurate limitation of the sterile base. It is soft 

 and velvety to the touch. The old and denuded peri- 

 dium is sometimes smooth, sometimes obscurely areolate. 

 Often it is adorned by persistent scales or patches of 

 the shriveled external coating. The inner dusty mass of 

 spores and filaments is at first greenish-yellow but it 

 becomes darker or brown with age. Dr. Brown, who has 

 tried the edible qualities of this species regards it as ex- 

 cellent. Lycojperdon Bovista Pers. is deemed a synonym. 

 The specimens referred here in the Twenty-third New 

 York State Cabinet Beport were immature and doubtful and 

 therefore mention of their locality is omitted. 



Lycoperdon cyathiforme Bosc. 



Cup-shaped PuflF-ball, 



Large, 3'-10' in diameter, nearly globose, generally 

 furnished with a short more or less thick stem-like base, 



