Harper: Two Parasitic Mushrooms 
67 
by the white volva. The plants were less robust and a little 
smaller than Volvaria Loweiana. Most of the spores were 4-5 X 
5-6 /t agreeing with Maire’s observation though many spores 7/x 
in length were to be found. The basidia and cystidia in the two 
plants agreed exactly, which is especially significant in the case of 
the cystidia which have a peculiar shape. The plants are cer- 
tainly closely related, though cultures would be necessary to prove 
their identity. This would be difficult to accomplish with such 
rare plants. Worthington Smith succeeded in growing Volvaria 
Loweiana on Clitocybe nebularis. 
The limits of the group in this country are not well fixed. Sev- 
eral forms should be kept in mind by collectors. 
1. Volvaria villosa-volva Lloyd, Myc. Notes 4: 31 and photo- 
graph No. 81. The plants were found among dead leaves of 
deciduous trees and had the volva overgrown with white, my- 
celioid hairs. Otherwise they agreed with Volvaria pluniulosa, 
as they had an even pileus and solid stem. The spores are said 
to be globose, 5 /x in diameter. The white, myceloid base of the 
stem is not remarkable in plants growing among dead leaves. 
2. Volvaria umbonata Pk. Bull. Torrey Club 26; 64-65. 1899. 
The species was based on plants found in Ohio by Lloyd, which 
grew in lawns and grassy places. It is illustrated by Hard, Fig. 
ip 4 , who found it not uncommon at Chillicothe, Ohio. The species 
is distinguished from Voh'aria phimulosa by its striate and slightly 
viscid pileus. In these respects, it agrees with Volvaria parznila 
Wein., from which it differs in the solid stem. The spores are 
4-5 X 5-7 /A exactly like those of Volvaria Loweiana and the other 
members of the group. Peck considers Volvaria umbonata as 
akin to Volvaria media but distinguished by the larger spores. 
The reports of the spores of Volvaria media may, however, be 
incorrect. 
3. Volvaria pusilla Pers. It has often been reported from this 
country and is considered the same as Volvaria parvula Wein. 
The pileus is striate and viscid and the stem hollow, so that it 
represents the opposite extreme of tlie group from Volvaria 
Loweiana. It is also the smallest member of the group. The 
spores and basidia are characteristic of the group, as are in all 
