times globose rounded at the base (Fig. 42) but usually “slightly con¬ 
stricted and then swollen at the base.” (Fig. 45). Pedicel usually 
distinct—cylindrical (Fig. 43) but some¬ 
times very short and thick, (Fig. 45). 
Mouth indefinite, fibrillose. Columella 
indistinct (in ripe specimens at least). 
Threads thicker than spores. Spores 
globose, roughened, 4-5 me. 
Geaster limbatus is very close to G. 
rufescens, a fact that seems to have been 
noted by only one author, Scherffel. (*) 
The writers who usually place G. rufescens 
in the “sessile” section do not realize 
that it is so close to limbatus that speci¬ 
mens occur that are hard to refer to either 
species. G. rufescens is a reddish brown 
plant. G. limbatus is a black plant but 
the color distinctions run into each other 
to an extent. We have never seen G. 
p iir. 4 <». Geas:er limbatus (section) HmbatUS with the thick poroUS fleshy 
layer, usually found on rufescens, and we have never seen rufescens 
with the peculiar constricted inner peridium usually (not always) found 
on limbatus. We believe that the prominent, persistent columella of 
rufescens is the characteristic feature which distinguishes it from G. 
limbatus. Any one knowing only extreme forms of limbatus such 
as Fig. 42, from England, and Fig. 45, from Kansas, would be justi¬ 
fied in calling them different plants, but our series of specimens shows 
all grades of connecting forms. 
G- limbatus is a frequent plant in this country and in Europe. 
Specimens in our Collection. 
Kansas, E. Bartholomew. Iowa, T. H. McBride. Wisconsin , Steve C. Stunt/.. 
Massachusetts, F. Le Roy Sargent. 
England, Carleton Rea. Tirol, Rev. G. Bresadola. Hungary, Dr. L. Hollos. 
Explanation of Figures. 
Fig. 42. Specimen from Carleton Rea. England. Fig. 43. Specimen from 
Steve C. Stuntz, Wisconsin. Fig. 44. Specimen from Dr. D. Hollos, Hungary. 
Fig. 45. Specimen from F. Bartholomew, Kansas. Fig 46. Section showing in¬ 
distinct columella. 
13—GEASTER TRIPLEX. 
Unexpanded plant acute. Exoperidium recurved (or when not 
fully expanded somewhat saccate at base), cut to the middle or usually 
two-tliirds to five to eight segments. Mycelial layer adnate. Fleshy 
layer generally peeling off from the segments of the fibrillose layer but 
usually remaining partially free as a cup at base of inner peridium. 
Inner peridium subglobose, closely sessile. Mouth definite , fibrillose, 
broadly conical. Columella prominent, persistent, elongated (see Fig. 
49). Threads thicker than spores. Spores globose, roughened, 3-6 me. 
(*) “Geaster limbatus steht dem G. rufescens ungemein nahe.” 
