66 
GASTEROMYCETES 
to a basin, excipuld) differs in the abrupt contraction of the 
peridium into a slender stem. It is the Ly coper don 
Desmazieres of American mycologists. 
CALVATIA 
(From the resemblance of some species to a bald scalp, calvci) 
C. saccata = Lycoperdon saccatum (saccus , a bag—from a 
supposed resemblance to an inverted sack). 
Per. 2-5 in. high, 1-3 in. across, spherico-depressed, plicate 
below, the upper part flaking away at maturity. Spore 
mass olivaceous umber. The sterile base is continued 
downwards as a stout elongated stem 2-4 in. long, often more 
or less lacunose. Sometimes the measurements much exceed 
those given above. Open places in and bordering woods in 
aut ., often growing in large loose rings. 
C. cselata = Lycoperdon ccelatum (cerium, a sculptor’s chisel— 
from the appearance of the warts of the peridium, as if 
carved in bas-relief), “ Sculptured Puff-ball.” Plate XXI. 4. 
Per. 2-7 in., obovoid or depressed, tapering downwards, 
more or less covered at first with a thick floccose layer of 
densely coalescent warts, which break up into scattered coni¬ 
cal warts. Spore mass olive, with a lilac tinge. Fields and 
open places in woods, usually in twos and threes. Easily 
recognised by the tessellated appearance after the warts 
have fallen away. There is sometimes a long tapering root. 
C. gigantea = Lycoperdon giganteum or bovista (from its 
resemblance to a Bovista ), “ Giant Puff-ball.” 
Per. globose or depressed, 4-12 in. or more across, white, 
slightly hairy, then smooth like kid leather, flaking away at 
the top. Spore mass yellow at first, olive at maturity. In 
grassy places in aut., local. The largest of our puff-balls. 
It sometimes occurs in rings up to 40 ft. in diam. The 
largest known specimen is recorded from America; it was 
5 ft. 4 in. in its greatest diam., but only 9J in. high. There 
