10—GrEASTER SMITHII. 
Young plant globose. Exoperidium subhygroscopic, cut about 
half way to 8 to 12 segments, partly reflexed but tips of segments dry¬ 
ing incurved. Mycelial layer thin, usually adnate, with adhering 
sand. Fleshy layer drying thin, adnate. Inner peridium subpedicel- 
late, in reality almost sessile but the outer peridium drawing away 
from it. Mouth flattened conical (or when old conical) seated on a de¬ 
pressed area , regularly sulcate-slriate. Color of spore mass blacker than 
in most Geasters. Threads about thickness of spores. Spores glo¬ 
bose, rough, apiculate, 4-5 me. 
Fig. 37. Geaster Smithii. 
This little plant is unique as to its mouth (well shown in our 
figures) from all other species. Morgan refers it to G. umbilicatus of 
Fries, and if we draw our conclusions only from what is published we 
should so refer it. Both Patouillard and Bresadola however, say “not 
umbilicatus” (*) and they are in better position to know than we are. 
This plant was well described and figured by W. G. Smith (in 
Gard. Chron. 1873, p. 469) under the erroneous name of G. striatus. 
The figures have the mouth more protruding than our cut, but that is 
a condition of age. His figures show the same depressed area character¬ 
istic of the plant. He states “the striae of the mouth are so match¬ 
lessly perfect and beautiful that no art can do them justice.” We be¬ 
lieve however, our figure will give a good idea of them. 
Being unable to call this plant umbilicatus (as did Morgan) or 
striatus (as did Smith) we have named it in honor of Worthington G. 
Smith, who has done better work with Geasters of England than any 
other mycologist. 
Specimens in our Collection. 
Florida, Mrs. Delia Sams. 
Explanation of Figures. 
Fig. 37. Specimens from Mrs. Delia Sams, Florida. 
(*) “Not umbilicatus but a species unknown to me perhaps new.”—Bresadola. 
“Geaster umbilicatus of modern authors, but I am not certain that it is that species of 
Fries, and in any case it is not that of Montagne, neither of Reveille ”—Patouillard. 
21 
