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Three species of puff-ball are illustrated in the present Series, and 
one on Page 55 of the previous volume. The Pillar Puff-Ball 
(Lycoperdon gemmatum, Page 50) is the common little puff-ball of 
downs and pastures. Its surface is at first covered with warts, 
which later fall away, and its base is prolonged into a thick stem, 
which tapers downward, and does not contain spores. If eaten it 
should be gathered in its young state and thoroughly cooked. Lyco- 
perdon perlatum(Page 55, First Series) closely resembles this species* 
The Pear-shaped Puff-Ball (Lycoperdon pyriforme, Page 51), 
grows in clusters on rotten wood, It is generally easy to trace 
white branching rootlets from the base of the puff-ball, which pass 
inward to the rotten wood on which the fungus grows. They form 
the mycelium or true fungus plant which absorbs nourishment from 
the decaying wood. When mature the spores are contained in a 
very thin membrane. The Tall Puff-Ball (Lycoperdon saccatum, 
Page 52) is usually easily recognised by the folds which are almost 
invariably present below. It grows to a fair size, and is found in 
open woods. 
Another species of Earth -Star (Geaster Bryantii) is seen on Page 
53. It should be compared with the photograph of Geaster seriscus, 
to be found on Page 57 of First Series. Geaster Bryantii grows in 
woods, and is at once recognised from all other species by the well- 
marked ring round the puff-ball stalk. 
The Jew’s Ear (Hirneola Auricula- Judae or Auricularia sam- 
bucina, Page 54) has already been described. 
The Jelly-Tooth (Termellodon gelatinosum, Page 55) will be 
recognised at once by the regularly-arranged layer of short spines 
and its translucent gelatinous character. It usually grows on pine 
stumps, but is sometimes met with growing on the ground. 
The Sticky Calocera (Calocera viscosa, Page 56) differs from 
Clavaria (Pages 50 and 51, First Series) in its gelatinous character. 
It is of an orange-yellow colour, and one or two inches high, the 
specimen photographed being rather small. It grows on pine and 
fir stumps, the lower part of the fungus penetrating far into the 
decaying wood. 
The Common Helvetia (Helvetia crispa, Page 57), grows on 
the ground in woods, but is rather rare. The fragile, almost trans- 
lucent, cap is usually of a pale yellowish-brown colour, but rather 
variable in tint, and. the stem is white. From other species of 
Helvella it is recognised by the stout, hollow stem, broken up by 
ridges and furrows externally. It is edible, but is lacking in flavour, 
and apt to be tough unless stewed for a long time. 
The Lizard-Tuft (Leotia lubrica, Page 58), grows among moss 
in woods. It is a small inconspicuous fungus, with a dull greenLh- 
yellow cap and a white stalk. It is soft, sticky, and almost 
gelatinous. 
The Wandering Elf-Cup (Peziza applanata, Page 59), is of a 
d‘ n gy greenish-grey colour, and usually grows on old rotten wood. 
The margins of the cap are at first thickened. 
