Specimens in our Collection. 
New Zealand, Andover, Robert Brown. 
Australia, Norwood, J. G. O. Tepper. 
LYCOPERDON DERMOXANTHUM (fig. 33).— 
This is a little form devoid of sterile base and with the 
warts soldered together in nodules. 
Specimens in our Collection. 
Australia, Warracknabeal, F. M. Reader. 
THE “PRATENSE” SECTION. 
Sterile portion separated from the fertile portion by a distinct 
diaphragm. Capillitium hyaline, septate. 
LYCOPERDON PRATENSE (plate 34, fig. 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 
and 12). — Peridium depressed. Cortex short spines (about 2 mm. long), 
falling away from the old specimens and leaving the peridium smooth. 
Peridium opening by a large irregular mouth.* Sterile portion of large 
cells separated from the fertile portion by a distinct diaphragm. Gleba 
olive, capillitium hyaline, (or faintly colored) septate, branched threads. 
Spores globose, smooth, light colored 4 mic j 
We adopt the name Lycoperdon pratense, there being a tradi¬ 
tion in Europe that it is Persoon’s species and the plant being gener¬ 
ally so known now. Still there is no direct evidence on the point; 
Persoon left no specimens and his figure which is quite characteristic 
as to shape has the surface broken into areas by cracks, never a feature 
of any specimen I have ever seen. The first definite evidence is that it 
is Lycoperdon hyemale of Vittadini. Not only his specimens exist, but 
he clearly characterizes it, pointing out the peculiar diaphragm so 
marked in this species. Unfortunately he referred it to Bulliard’s 
figure of Lycoperdon hyemale, and the figure is probably not this plant 
and would always be a bone of contention if the name were adopted 
The plant is very common in Europe and Australia and has the same 
characters in both countries. It does not occur in the United States to 
my knowledge. 
A good notice and figure of the Australian plant was published 
in Proc. Linn. Soc. New South Wales (Nov. 1900) by D. McAlpine 
under the title “On the Australian Fairy-ring Puff-ball”. Unfortun¬ 
ately he misdetermined the plant, referring it to Lycoperdon furfur- 
aceum. 
Synomyn, Lycoperdon natalense (Cooke’s Handb). 
Specimens in our Collection. 
New Zealand, Andover, Robert Brown. Wellington, Miss Jessie Dunn. 
Christ Church, Robert M. Laing and Robert Brown. North Island. J.S.Tennant. 
Victoria, Grantville, J. T. Paul. 
Fig. 33. 
*In its dehiscence this species is intermediate between lycoperdon and Calvatia. 
fThe spores of this species are remarkably uniform in size. 
31 
