6 4 
GASTEROMYCETES 
Per. about J in. high and broad, cinnamon or buff, split¬ 
ting irregularly. Peridiola subrotund, brown and shining, 
becoming wrinkled when dry. Solitary or gregarious, terres¬ 
trial, or on wood and leaves. Sum. and aut. Rare. 
SPH^EROBOLUS 
(Gr. sphaira , a ball; hallo, to throw—in reference to the 
ejection of the peridiolum) 
S. stellatus (from the stellate mouth of the peridium), 
“ Catapult.” Plate XIX. 8. 
Per. in. diam., pale yellow, tomentose, splitting into 5-7 
bright orange segments. Crowded on wood, twigs, rotten 
grass, etc. May be found throughout the year. The numerous 
peridia are at first connected by a cobwebby mycelium. 
Unique in the peculiar method of spore dispersal (see p. 17). 
Family LYCOPERDACEjE 
(The Puff-balls and Earth-stars) 
KEY TO THE GENERA 
Lycoperdon. 
Calvatia. 
Bovistella. 
Bovista. 
Geaster. 
Tulostoma. 
Queletia. 
Batarrea. 
Endoperidium flaccid, opening by a small terminal 
aperture. Sterile base present or absent. Spores not 
pedicellate. 
Endoperidium flaccid, flaking away in patches. Sterile 
base present. 
Endoperidium flaccid, opening by a small terminal 
aperture. Sterile base present or absent. Spores 
pedicellate. Mature plant normally attached to the 
matrix by a strong rooting system. 
Endoperidium firm, opening by a small terminal aperture. 
Sterile base absent. Mature plant loosened from the 
place of growth. 
Exoperidium splitting in a star-like manner 
Stem elongated, slender. Peridium subglobose, opening 
by an apical mouth. 
Stem elongated, stout. Peridium subglobose, opening 
irregularly. 
Stem elongated, slender. Peridium compressed. 
