235—CHLAMYDOPUS. 
We have in our Western States a single representative of this 
family. The genus is close to Tylostoma. and it is still considered by 
some authors (Hollos, Fischer), as a synonym for Tylostoma. Spe- 
gazzini, who proposed the genus, distinguished it from Tylostoma by 
the persistent volva at the base of the stipe, and by the broad attach¬ 
ment of the stem to the peridium. The first distinction is of little 
value, as several Tylostomas have volvas more or less persistent as 
cups at the base of the plants. The second, however, we consider of 
sufficient importance for generic distinction. 
In Chlamydopus the peridium is seated on the broad top of the 
stipe. In Tylostoma the slender stipe is inserted into a kind of ‘ - socket’ ’ 
in the base of the peridium. In addition, as Miss White notes, the 
general appearance of the two genera are different. In Chlamydopus 
the plant is .smooth, no portion of the volva remaining attached to the 
plant save the cup at the base. In Tylostoma the volva is of the nature 
of an exoperidium, partially persistent at the base of endoperidium. 
Prof. Patouillard, (to whom we had the pleasure of sending specimens), 
notes there is a marked difference in the basidia of the genera. 
236—CHLAMYDOPUS MEYENIANUS. 
(Plate 10.) 
Entire plant smooth, light color. Peridium globose, smooth, 
1 J A~2 cm. in diameter, dehiscing by a torn mouth, borne on the broad 
concave apex of the stipe. Columella none. Spores rust color, sub- 
globose. verrucose, about 6mic. in diameter. Capillitium light yellow, 
almost hyaline under the microscope, much branched and interlaced, 
sparingly septate. Stipe long, thick and concave at the apex, tapering 
down, smooth, sulcate, with almost woody texture. Volva persisting 
(normally) as a cup at base of plant, covered with adhering dirt. 
(The volva is usually absent from herbarium specimens). 
Prof. C. V. Piper, who has kindly sent us the specimens, fur¬ 
nished the following interesting notes to the habits of the plant, and 
it is the first published account of them: 
“The plant is by no means rare in the drifting heaps of sand in 
the vicinity of Pasco. As it usually grows, nothing but the peridium 
is exposed all the remaining part being subterranean. This point, 
however, varies with the looseness of the sand, in some cases the wind 
exposing nearly the entire plant. Where, however, the sand is fairly 
firm, the whole stipe is underground. The length seems to vary 
wholly with the amount of loose sand through which it must grow to 
reach the surface.” 
Chlamydopus Meyenianus was originally collected in Peru and 
sent to Klotzsch, who described and figured it as Tylostoma Meyen- 
ianum. The plants and figures had no volva at the base, but were 
otherwise quite characteristic. (*) 
(*) Dr. Hollos, has kindly forwarded to me a drawing of Meyen’s specimens preserved in 
the Museum at Berlin. There is no question as to its identity with our American plant. 
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