169-SCLERODERMA GEASTER. 
We have received from Miss Caroline A. Burgin a specimen of 
Scleroderma Geaster in which the peridium had split into two layers, 
the inner layer remaining convex, and appearing very much as though 
it was a separate peridium There is not a word in Fries’ writings to 
indicate that he ever met this form of the plant. . If he had, the name 
he selected Scleroderma Geaster, would have been indeed most appro¬ 
priate. With the exception of this accidental splitting of the peridium, 
Miss Burgin’s specimen is Scleroderma Geaster in every respect. 
In Volume 6 of the Journal of Mycology, Massee describes a 
new genus “Stella” which is a Scleroderma in every particular with 
the exception that it has two distinct peridia. Though his description 
would indicate that it was a form of Scleroderma flavida instead of 
Scleroderma Geaster, the question has suggested itself, has he not met 
the same form that Miss Burgin has met? The plants on which Massee 
bases his genus he found among Berkeley’s specimens of “Sclero¬ 
dermas”. It is passing strange that Berkeley should have overlooked 
such a characteristic genus as “Stella” is said to be. Massee presents 
a beautiful picture showing the characters of his genus, but anyone 
who is an artist can draw a picture. If he will furnish a photo¬ 
graph showing the inner peridium as a distinct peridium and not a 
cleavage from the outer peridium we will be more strongly impressed 
regarding the validity of his genus. 
It is no doubt a surprise to others as it was to me, to find that 
Fischer in Engler & Prantl has referred Scleroderma Geaster to a 
genus Sclerangium, characterized by having two peridia. We are 
quite familiar with the plant in our collections though we never saw 
it growing. We have always supposed the plant to have but one 
peridium, and took up the matter by correspondence with Patouillard. 
He writes me “Fischer has correctly represented the genus Scleran¬ 
gium of Leville, characterized by a double peridium. The double 
peridium exists certainly but the endoperidium can be seen on the ripe 
specimens only at the moment when it begins dehiscence. This endo¬ 
peridium shows itself as a thin membrane covering the gleba. Later 
it is destroyed and falls away in fragments and then the plant has the 
character with which you are familiar in your dried specimens.” 
This was all new information to me and I trust Dr. Herbst and 
others who are fortunate enough to be able to watch the plant ripen 
will look out for this feature. It is quite a different structure however, 
from Massee’s genus “ Stella” (which Fischer includes in this genus) 
which is represented as having a thick, firm, persistent endoperidium. 
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