320 
THE LARGER FUNGI 
PISOLITHUS Albortini et Seliweinitz (POLYSACCUM DC.). 
(Gi’., ijisas, a pea; lUlio^s, a stone.) 
Plant consisting of a peridimu suppoifed on a stcin-like rooting base. Peridiuni 
of a single tliin membranous laver, flaking anay iri'egularly from the apex. 
Gleba divided into polygonal cells by tlie persistent tramal plates; cells filled 
\vitli the s})ore juass, a true capillitium wanting. Spores coloured, globose, verrn- 
cosfc. Growing half buried in the ground in sandy soils. — Cunningham. 
5118. Pisolithus tinctorius (Micheli ex Pers.) Coker et Couch. (L., tinctorius, 
of dyeing, in reference to the staining quality of the juice). — Phuit variable in 
size and shape, from 11 to 7 jin. (3 to 18 cm.) tall, to Tin. (10 cm.) diameter, 
with or without a stout rooting base. Peridiuni a single layer, at first smooth, 
sliining and pallid white or ochraceous, becoming brown lor black, finally breaking 
away irregularly from the apex. Gleba divided into polygonal or lenticular 
chamliers, which are larger above ami peripherally, unequal in size and shape, 
dissejiiments carbonous, firm but brittle; chambers occupied with the jiulveru- 
lent spoie mass, ranging in colour from ochraceous to umber-brown, sometimes 
tinted })urple. Spores globose, 7 to 12 (commonly 7 to 9 m) ; episi)ore thin, 
0.5 fi, ferruginous, covered with densely packed spines which may attain a length 
of 1.5 /r. — Cunningham. South Australia — Adelaide I’lains, Mount Lofty Ranges, 
Kuitpo, Tunkalilla, Overland Corner, P.eltana, Lake AVangany (E.P.), Pearson 
Island (Great Australian Bight), Cordillo Downs, Pandie Pandie (on Diaman- 
tina). Central Australia — Alice Springs, Hennannsbnrg, Glen Helen, Cockatoo 
Creek, Mount Liebig. Queensland. ‘ New South Wales. Victoria. AVestern Aus- 
tralia — Roebourne. Tasmania. New Zealand. Europe. North America. Africa. 
East Indies. January to September, December. 
539. Pisolithus microcarpus (Cke. et Mass.) Cunn. (Gr., mikros, small; Icarpot^, 
a fruit). — Plant often with two to thi-ee peridia attached to the same well- 
developed rooting base, to Tin. (10 cm.) tall, IJin. (3 cm.) diameter. Peridiuni 
pyriform, smooth or with raised areas corresponding with the global cavities, 
shining and black, this condition extending to the rooting base, which is black, 
woody and basally divided into numerous coarse rhizoids. Gleba ochraceous or 
pallid' ferruginous-brown in mass, dissepiments carbonous, thin and decidedly 
brittle; chambers polygonal and closely compacted, less than half the size of 
those of P. tinctorius. Spores globose, 5 to 7 /x; epispore 0.5 /x thick (in- 
cluding verrucae), pallid ferruginous, finely and somewhat sparsely verruculose. 
— ('nnningham. South Australia — Kalangadoo (S.E.). Queensland. New South 
AAhiles. Bass Straits. April, Alay, November. 
Characterised by the low siiccific gravity of the iflant, the black shining ex- 
terior of the unopened peridiuni and rooting base, pallid ochraceous gleba, ex- 
ceedingly fragile dissepiments and small spores. Tlie latter are finely verrueu- 
lose. and not covered with the coarse spinous processes of the preceding species. 
— Cunningham. 
CALOSTOMATACEAE. 
Peridiuni of 3 layers, dehiscing by an apical stoma, carried at the apex of a 
ijroininent pseudo-stem. Gleba borne within a spore sac pendent fi'om the apex 
of the intei'ior of the endoperidium. Basidia bearing sessilely a variable number 
(5 to 12) of spores which are attached irregularly. Spores globose or elliptical, 
tinted or hyaline, variously sculpitured. — Cunningham. 
CALOSTOMA Desv. (Syn., MITREMYCES Nees.) 
(Gr., lialos, beautiful; stoma, a mouth.) 
Peridiuni depressed globose, seated at the apex of a prominent pseudo-Btem, 
comiiosed of interwoven, compacted gelatinized mycelial strands. Exopernauni 
of compacted gelatinized hvphae, flaking away irregularly, or in one cap-like 
piece; endoiieridium crowned with a toothed, erumpent, usually coloured stoma; 
spore sac attached to the apex of the interior of the endopembnm. gTleba 
ochraceous or sulphur coloured, pulverulent, without a definite capillitium. pores 
globose or elliptical, tinted or hyaline, with a pitted exospore which may appear 
reticulated. Solitary or caespitose on the ground or on decaying wood.— 
Cunningham. 
