CLASSIFICATION. 
The Geastrae consist of only two Genera, Myriostoma with but 
a single widely distributed species, and Geaster of which we are fa¬ 
miliar with 22 species, and know imperfectly several others. 
Geaster hygrometricus differs from other species widely in its 
internal structure It has no columella, (neither has other species) 
the capillitium is branched and interwoven and in mature specimens 
scanty as compared to other species; the spores are larger and approx¬ 
imate the spores of Scleroderma, and the spore mass closely resembles 
to the e} T e that of a Scleroderma. In De Bary’s Morphology (English, 
1887, pp. 313 and 314,) the points are clearly brought out. Morgan 
(1889) proposed for it the name Astraeus. Desveaux had many }^ears 
before (1809) proposed the same thing andCorda (leones Vol. 5) elabor¬ 
ated it, only they retained the name Geaster for this species, proposing 
to change the other species to Pleastoma. We do not feel that Geaster 
hygrometricus ought to be separated from other species which it so 
closely resembles in general appearance that it was for years confused 
with them, and which to-day frequently requires the use of the micro¬ 
scope to distinguish from other species We certainly do not think it 
ought to be put in a different order (we do not use the word natural) 
as Fischer proposes, and if we did we would not put Nidulariaceae 
between it and Geaster. 
KEY TO GENERA. 
Mouths and pedicels several.Myriostoma. 
Mouth and pedicel one...Geaster. 
MYRIOSTOMA COLIFORMIS. 
Exoperidium usually recurved, cut to about the middle to six 
to ten lobes; if collected and dried when first open rather firm and rigid; 
when exposed to weather, becoming like parchment paper by the peel¬ 
ing off of the inner and outer layers. Inner peridiutn, subglobose, sup- 
6 
Fig. 1. 
Myriostoma coliformis. 
Fig. 2. 
Myriostoma coliformis. 
