capillitium. 
With the exception of the anomalous species, hygrometricus, the 
capillitium of Geasters consists of long unbranched threads that pro¬ 
ceed from the columella and inner surface of the peridium. 
The capillitium, in some species at least, is more firmly attached 
to the peridium and columella than usual in most Gastromycetes. Cut 
open a Geaster, shake out the spores, and with a hand glass abundant 
capillitium can be seen proceeding from both columella and peridium. 
Fragments of these threads are mixed with the spores, and these frag¬ 
ments as seen under the microscope are usually simple, cylindrical and 
tapering. The relative thickness of the threads as compared to the 
spores, we give in our descriptions as a matter of form. We place 
little value on it however, as the threads as well as the spores may 
vary in thickness. 
SPORES. 
With the exception of the anomalous species, hygrometricus, 
the spores of the species we have examined are very similar, all glo¬ 
bose, all slightly warted, all about 3-5 me. in diameter. Some are 
slightly larger than others, some slightly rougher than others, but the 
differences while evident by contrast are not sufficient to determine 
specific characters. Cooke describes species from Australia with 
“smooth” spores. We have never seen a perfectly smooth spore in a 
Geaster. G. hygrometricus can be known at once by its large rough 
spores 8-12 me. in diameter. 
The color of the spore mass of Geasters affords no distinction as 
it does in other genera. We find no species with pronounced olive or 
purplish spores. The usual color is a dark brown deepening to black. 
COLUMELLA. 
In our opinion one of the most striking points of difference be¬ 
tween species is the shape of the columellae, which varies from ovate, 
globose, or filiform. To study the columellae however, the plant should 
be examined just before it expands. After the spores ripen the colum¬ 
ellae usually become indistinct. Vittadini seems to have been the only 
author who has observed and illustrated the columellae in his plates. 
SHAPE OF UNEXPANDED PLANT. 
If we knew the shapes of the unexpanded plants, the best pri¬ 
mary division of the genus would be in two sections. Plants with un¬ 
expanded forms, globose (see Fig. 41) and plants with unexpanded 
form, acute (see Figs. 48, 77). Unfortunately, however, we only know 
the unexpanded form of a few species, simply from lack of observation. 
We call attention of collectors especially to this point that in gathering 
Geasters it is particularly important to secure a few unexpanded plants 
or to make a note of their form. We hope should we issue a second 
edition of this pamphlet that we may have the data, and not be forced 
to admit our ignorance on this character of many of the species. 
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