THE GENUS BOVISTELLA. 
Peridium flaccid, opening by a definite mouth. Sterile base 
usually well developed, sometimes very slightly or not at all. Capillitium 
of separate branched threads, or of threads with pointed branches. 
Spores pedicellate. 
We would extend the limits of this genus as above for reasons 
that will be discussed more full}" when we consider the genus in Mycol- 
ogical Notes. As we should define the genus it includes all plants 
heretofore classed as Lycoperdons which have pedicellate spores. As 
thus defined it includes four known Australian species. The original 
definition of the genus based on a single species requires that the cap¬ 
illitium threads should be “free” and separate. Neither of these four 
species under this definition is included in the genus.* 
BOVISTELLA ASPERA (Plate 33, fig. 6, 7, 8, 9 and 10.— 
Peridium subglobose. with a strong tap root. Cortex of short, thick 
spines converging in fours, when old, largely falling away leaving the 
peridium furfuraceous. Sterile base none or very slightly developed.f 
Gleba olive. Capillitium long, branched threads running out to points. 
Spores globose, smooth, 4-5 mic. with thin pedicels 8-10 mic. 
There are specimens at Kew collected by Mueller at Haidinger 
Range in 1861. We have also received a collection from W. W. Watts, 
Sydney. The plant was originally described from Chili (Bovista aspera 
Ann. Sci. Nat. 3-5-162). 
Specimens in our Collection. 
Sydney Australia, W. W. Watts. 
BOVISTELLA AUSTRALIANA Plate33, fig.l,2,3,4and 5).— 
Plant with a well developed sterile base of large cells. Cortex minute, 
nodular, furfuraceous. Peridium becoming smooth when old. Gleba 
olive umber. Capillitium long branching threads with pointed branches. 
Spores globose, smooth, 4 mic. with slender pedicels 12-15 mic. 
This is a small species with strong tap root. The shape varies 
from subglobose to somewhat elongated as shown in our plate. There 
is a corresponding variance in the development of the sterile bases. 
Specimens in our Collection. 
Grantville Australia, J. T. Paul. Andover, New Zealand, Robt. Brown. 
BOVISTELLA GLABESCENS—Plant with a well developed 
sterile base of small cells. Smooth (now, but probably had a promin¬ 
ent cortex.) Gleba olive umber. Capillitium long, intertwined, branched, 
with pointed branches. Spores globose 5 mic. smooth, with slender 
pedicels One collection at Kew from Tasmania. Described as Lyco- 
perdon glabescens (Flo. Tasm. 2, 264). 
*On page 85 Mycological Notes we considered the separate or attached threads as the 
essentials of the genus Bovistella to distinguish it from Uycoperdon, but since studying many 
plants of this group we conclude that the pedicellate spores are the only practical distinction to 
be drawn. 
|The type specimens at Paris have no sterile bases, but specimens we have received from 
Australia, surely the same plant, have a very slight development not over 2 mm. thick. 
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