British Gasiromycetes . 
83 
Variable in size, from 2-4 inches across when expanded ; 
number of segments varying from 6-10. Distinguished from 
G fimbriatus , which it somewhat resembles by the distinctly 
dentate peristome. 
Geaster kygrometrieus, Pers. (Fig. 70). Exoperidium 
split into a varying number of subequal acute lobes, which are 
rigidly indexed when dry ; inner stratum thick, often cracked ; 
endoperidium sessile, usually depressed, subreticulate, rarely 
smooth, dehiscing by an apical irregularly torn aperture ; 
spores in the mass dark-brown, globose, warted, 7-10 y ; 
columella obsolete ; threads of capillitium branched, subequal, 
5-6 fk thick. 
Geaster fornicatus , Pers., Syn. Fung. p. 135; Fries, 
Syst. Myc. iii, p. 19 ; Berk., Eng. Flora, p. 302 ; Berk., Outl. 
p. 301 ; Cooke, Hdbk. n. 1078 ; De Toni, Rev. Geast. n. 47 ; 
Sacc., Syll. vii, p. 90; Winter, Kr. FI. p. 914; Quel., 
Enchirid. p. 239 ; Vitt., Mon. Lyc. p. 108, t. 1, f. 8 ; Morgan, 
Amer. Geast. p. 969, f. 12. 
Lycoperdon stellatum , Bull., Champ, t. 138, f. a-d ; 
Bolton, t. 179. 
Exs. — Crypt. Lusit. 18 ; Rav., F. Amer. 471 ; Ellis, N. 
Amer. Fung. 108 ; Rav., F. Car. 75 ; Fuckel, Fung. Rhen. 
1263; Mong. and Nest., 1195; Jack, Leiner u. Stz. 624; 
Roumeg., Fung. Sel. Gall. 509 ; Desm., Cr. Fr. ser. 1, 955 ; 
Rab., Fung. Eur. 2009; Syd., Myc. March. 1114; Cooke, 
Britt. Fung. 514; Thum., Myc. Eur. no; E. Bourgeau, 
Plantae Canar. 1216; Erb., Critt. Ital. i, n. 1145; Linhart, 
Fung. Hung. 151. 
On the ground. Shrewsbury! Bovey Tracey! Hereford! 
Scarborough! — Europe ; W. Africa ; Tenerifife ; United States ; 
Mexico; Uraguay; Madagascar; N. -W. India; Afghanistan; 
Japan; S.-W. Australia. 
Exoperidium 2-3^- in. across when split and expanded, 
hygroscopic, readily distinguished by the segments of the en- 
doperidium, which vary in number from 7-20, being rigidly 
incurved when dry, and the scurfy or reticulate endoperidium 
bursting irregularly. 
