There are two distinct types of capillitium threads. 1st, the 
threads are long hair-like strands, simple or more or less branched 
and interwoven, (see Fig. 11) pro¬ 
ceeding from the inner walls of the 
peridium or the columella of the 
plant. 2nd, the threads are rela¬ 
tively short and branched, each 
entirely separate and distinct from 
the other (see Fig. 10), though 
the branches are usually inter¬ 
woven, and have no connection 
with the peridium or columella. 
The latter type is characteristic 
of Bovista, Bovistella and Myce- 
nastrum. Threads of the first type 
are usually broken into short fragments in the ripe spore mass, but 
are readily distinguished from those of the second type by the blunt 
ends of the fracture. Threads of the 2nd type when perfect run out 
in all directions into sharp pointed branches. (*) 
Fig. 10. 
A Capillitium thread (magnified) of Bovista. 
Fig 11. 
Capillitium of Tylostoma. (magnified.) 
Capillitium threads have varying character in different genera. 
In Calvatia they are long, branched, and interwoven. In Catastoma, 
mostly broken in short fragments. In Tylostoma often septate. In 
Mycenastum they bear little spiny processes. Usually they are col¬ 
ored, sometimes hyaline. 
The hyphal strands that persist as capillitium are shown by 
Tulasne as penetrating and passing through the walls and chambers 
of the gleba. We can readily understand this structure in such 
genera as Uvcoperdon where they are attached to the peridium or 
columella, but the exact attachment is obscure to our mind where they 
are ‘ ‘ separate threads 
(*) Capillitium threads aie relatively large microscopic objects, often visible to the naked 
eye and readily examined under low (i inch lens) magnifying power. By simply pressing a frag¬ 
ment of spore mass on a slide the nature of the threads can usually be readily made out. To se¬ 
cure separate threads of Bovista type put a little spore mass in a small vial half Ailed with 
alcohol. Agitate violently and pour the alcohol over a clean slide, and separate threads can be 
readily floated out. 
