British Gastromycetes . 63 
Differs from B.plumbea in its larger size (2 in. and more 
across), broadly elliptical spores with a hyaline border, and 
much thinner cortex; and from B. nigrescens in the elliptical 
spores and absence of purple tinge in mass of capillitium 
and spores. 
B. Spores Globose. 
Bovista nigrescens, Pers. (Fig. 39). Subglobose ; cortex 
papery, whitish, soon breaking away, peridium thin, tough, 
shining, blackish umber, dehiscing by an irregular apical 
orifice ; mass of spores and capillitium umber with a decided 
purple tinge; threads 12-18 \x at thickest part, thick-walled 
bright brown, much branched, tips tapering ; spores same 
colour, globose, smooth, pedicellate, $-6 [x diameter. 
Bovista nigrescens, Pers., Syn. p. 136 ; Fries, Syst. Myc. 
iii, p. 23 ; Karst., Myc. Fenn. (Basidiomycetes) p. 359 ; Berk., 
Engl. Flor. v, p. 302; Berk. Outl. Fung. p. 301, pi. 20, f. 5 ; 
Cke., Hdbk. p. 371 ; Mass., Revis. Gen. Bovista, n. 15 ; Sacc., 
Syll. vii, p. 99 ; Wint., Kr. FI. 907. 
Lycoperdon nigrescens , Vitt, Mon. Lyc. 176. > 
Lycoperdm globosum , Bolt., 1 . 1 18 ; Withering, iv, p. 350. 
Lycoperdon bovista , Sow., t. 331. 
Lycoperdon ardosiacnm , Sowerby, Herb., from speci- 
men now in Herb. Berk. 
Globaria nigrescens , Quel., Enchirid. p. 240. 
Exs. — Desm., Crypt. Fr., ser. 1, 527 ; Fuckel, Fung. Rhen. 
1884; Karsten, Fung. Fenn. 117; Cke., Fung. Brit. 521. 
Dry pastures and heathy places. From 1-2 in. across. 
Bovista plumbea, Pers. (Fig. 63). Globose ; cortex thin, 
whitish, persistent towards the base ; peridium tough, thin, 
lead-coloured, dehiscing by a small, irregular mouth ; mass of 
spores and capillitium umber-brown ; threads thick-walled, 
stout, 12-16 1 u at thickest part, brown, much branched; 
spores paler, sub-globose, smooth, generally pedicellate, 
5-6 [x diameter. 
Bovista plumbea , Pers., Syn. 137, t. 3, f. 1 ; Fries, 
