First, there are the Lycoperdons, (Fig. 20) and if you notice it 
closely you will note that it is covered with little soft spines’ stellately 
arranged. These spines differ much 
in various kinds and are important in 
classification. We have more varie¬ 
ties of Iy^coperdon than any other 
family of puff-balls, Most of them 
are about the size of the kind figur¬ 
ed, but some are no larger than hazel 
nuts. While some are shaped as 
shown, most are almost globose, 
and some are shaped like a pear. 
When fully ripe Ty coper dons open 
with a little mouth from which 
the spores escape. Then there are 
the Sclerodermas, (Fig. 27) thick 
skinned puff-balls which grow some¬ 
times in the greatest abundance. 
The kind we have figured is partic 
ularly fond of chestnut woods. 
Then the Geasters, which have the 
shell in two layers, and when ripe 
the outer splits up into segments 
and turns back like a star. They 
are often called “Earth Stars.” We are particularly anxious to get 
Geasters. Besides these three families are Bovistas, Bovistellas, 
Arachnions, Tylostomas, and others. Tylostomas are little puff-balls 
that grow up on stems. 
WHEN TO GATHER PUFF-BALLS. 
For the purpose of study 
puff-balls must be ripe, that is they 
must be full of the dry dust. When 
young most kinds are white and 
when you cut them they appear like 
“cottage cheese.” They are most- 
13 7 good to eat in this condition, but 
not to study. The best time to 
gather them is just when they are 
getting ripe, just when the white 
lias become moist, and discolored 
and spines are just drying up and 
beginning to flake off. Then 3 7 our 
specimens will if carefully dried re¬ 
tain enough of the spines to be eas- 
il 3 7 determined and the spores will 
ripen as the specimen dries. But 
do not hesitate to pick up ripe puff¬ 
balls even if the spines have fallen 
off. They are all of value if rife. 
Fig:. 27. 
Scleroderma. 
, y- Sfel; v - 
■ * .«• i,rt V 
V • v. ' -v -X ■> 
/1 • - ■*- . . 
; w 
.*(Ay * ■'•_:.v v V\ 
Fig. 26. 
Ljcoperdon. 
