Part 55

=L. oblongi´sporum= B. and C.—oblong-spored. =Peridium= subglobose, with a slender mycelial cord. Cortex a thin, whitish, furfuraceous coat, drying up into minute persistent granules on the pale-brown surface of the inner peridium. Subgleba nearly obsolete; mass of spores and capillitium olivaceous, then brown; threads much branched, the main stem about as thick as the spores, the branches tapering. =Spores= elliptic, even, 5–6×3–4µ, sometimes with a minute pedicel.

Growing on the ground in dense woods. Wisconsin, _Trelease_. =Peridium= ⅜-1 in. in diameter. This pretty species, previously known only from Cuba, is indistinguishable from L. pusillum when immature, the spores affording the only really characteristic feature. _Morgan._

(Plate CLXXIV.)

=L. cepæsfor´me= Bull.—onion-shaped. =Peridium= globose or depressed-globose, plicate underneath, with a cordlike root. Cortex at first a thin, white, minutely furfuraceous coat, this soon becomes rimulose and at length breaks up into small scales and patches, which finally disappear from the pale or pale-brown surface of the inner peridium. Subgleba nearly obsolete; mass of spores and capillitium greenish-yellow, then pale-olivaceous; the threads very much branched, the main stem thicker than the spores, the branches long and tapering. =Spores= globose, even, 3.5–4µ in diameter, often with a minute pedicel.

=Peridium= ½-1 in. in diameter.

Growing on the ground in meadows and pastures.

New York, _Peck_, 51st Rep.

Good.

(Plate CLXXV.)

=L. colora´tum= Pk.—colored. =Peridium= 5–10 lines broad, globose or obovate, subsessile, radicating, yellow or reddish-yellow, brownish when old, slightly roughened with minute granular or furfuraceous persistent warts; capillitium and spores at first pale, inclining to sulphur-color, then dingy-olive. =Spores= subglobose, smooth, about 4µ in diameter.

Ground in thin woods and bushy places. Sandlake and Catskill mountains. July and August.

_Peck_, 32d Rep. N.Y. State Bot.

New York, _Peck_, 29th Rep.; New England, _Morgan_; Ohio, _Morgan_; Wisconsin, _Trelease_.

(Plate CLXXVI.)

=L. acumina´tum= Bosc.—pointed. =Peridium= globose, then ovoid, with a mycelium of fine white fibers. Cortex a white soft delicate continuous coat, drying up into a thin furfuraceous persistent layer on the surface of the inner peridium. Subgleba obsolete; mass of spores and capillitium pale-olivaceous then dirty-gray; threads simple, hyaline, two to three times as thick as the spores. =Spores= globose, even, 3µ in diameter. Plate II, fig. 8. =Peridium= ¼-½ of an inch in height.

Growing on the mosses of old logs and about the base of living trees. New York, _Peck_; North Carolina, _Curtis_; South Carolina, _Ravenel_, _Atkinson_; Ohio, _Morgan_; Costa Rica, _Oersted_.

GENUS X.—=BOVISTEL´LA= Morg.

(Plate CLXXVI_a_.)

Showing cellulose and definitely limited subgleba and the free threads of the capillitium. (From Morgan.)

Mycelium cord-like, rooting from the base. Peridium subglobose, with a well-developed base; cortex a dense floccose subpersistent coat; inner peridium thin, membranaceous, dehiscent by a regular apical mouth. Subgleba cellulose, cup-shaped above and definitely limited, persistent; capillitium originating within the tissue of the gleba; the threads free, short, several times dichotomously (two-forked) branched, the main stem thicker than the diameter of the spores, the branches tapering. =Spores= small, globose or oval, even, pedicellate.

A puff-ball of moderate size, growing in fields and open woods. _Morgan._

=B. Ohien´sis= Ellis and Morg. =Peridium= globose or broadly obovoid, sometimes much depressed, plicate underneath, with a thick cord-like root. Cortex a dense floccose coat, sometimes segregated into soft warts or spines, white or grayish in color; this dries up into a thick buff-colored or dirty ochraceous layer, which gradually falls away, leaving a smooth, shining, pale-brown or yellowish surface to the inner peridium. Subgleba broad, ample, occupying one-half the peridium, a long time persistent; mass of spores and capillitium lax, friable, clay-color to pale-brown; the threads .6-.8 mm. in extent, three to five times branched, the main stem 6–8µ in thickness, the branches tapering. =Spores= globose or oval, even, 4–5µ in length by 3.5–4µ in breadth, with long hyaline persistent pedicels.

(Plate CLXXVII.)

Growing on the ground in old pastures, in fields and open woods. _Morgan._

This species of puff-ball is made the type of the new genus Bovistella by Mr. Morgan.

GENUS XI.—=CATAS´TOMA= Morg.

Puff-balls growing just beneath the surface of the ground and connected immediately with it by filamentous threads, which issue from every part of the cortex; after maturity, when the peridium breaks away, the lower part of the outer coat is held fast by the soil, while the upper portion which has attained the surface remains, covering the inner peridium like a cap or inverted cup; consequently the apparent apex at which the mouth is situated is the actual base of the plant as it grows. The capillitium threads are similar to the densely interwoven hyphæ, which form the inner peridium and are evidently branches of them radiating from the interior. It is plain that the affinities of these plants are closest with Tylostoma and Astræus, but the needs of a systematic arrangement, according to more obvious characters, causes us to place them next to Bovista. _Morgan._

(Plate CLXXVIII.)

Showing method of growth, breaking away and turning over. Section of same showing origin of the threads of the capillitium. (After Morgan.)

=C. circumscis´sum= B. and C. (Plate CLXXVIII.) =Peridium= subglobose, more or less depressed and often quite irregular; cortex thickish, fragile, usually rough and uneven from the adhering soil, after maturity torn away, leaving the lower two-thirds or more in the ground; inner peridium depressed-globose, subcoriaceous, rather thin, pallid, becoming gray, minutely furfuraceous, with a small regular basal mouth. Mass of spores and capillitium soft, compact, then friable, olivaceous, changing to pale brown; the pieces of the threads short, unequal in length, flexuous, hyaline, 3–4µ in thickness. =Spores= globose, minutely warted, 4–5µ in diameter, often with a minute pedicel.

Growing in heavy clay soil in old lanes and pastures, especially along the hard-trodden paths.

Maine, _Blake_; Ohio, _Morgan_; Kansas, _Kellerman_; Nebraska, _Webber_.

Inner peridium ½-¾ in. in diameter.

This is Bovista circumscissa B. and C., of Berkeley’s Notices of North America Fungi. It grows in great abundance with us some seasons, right in the hard-trodden barn-yard, and along the lane to the cattle pasture. Arachnion album Schw. usually keeps it company. _Morgan._

I have not seen this acrobatic species. Study of its unique habit suggests the query: Is not the turning over of its spore-filled portion a substitute for an original but lost power of growing right side up?

GENUS XII.—=BOVIS´TA= Dill.

(Plate CLXXIX.)

Mycelium fibrous or sometimes filamentous. Peridium subglobose, without a thickened base; cortex a thin fragile continuous layer, shelling off or disappearing at maturity, except sometimes a small portion about the base; inner peridium thin, membranaceous, becoming papyraceous, dehiscent by an apical mouth or opening irregularly. Capillitium originating within the tissue of the gleba; the threads free, short, several times dichotomously branched, the main stem much thicker than the diameter of the spores, the branches tapering. =Spores= small, globose, or oval, even, brown. _Morgan._

Small puff-balls growing upon the ground in fields and woods. One grows underground.

=B. pi´la= B. and C.—a ball. =Peridium= globose or obovoid, with a stout, cord-like root. Cortex a thin, white, smooth, continuous coat, breaking up at maturity into minute scales, which soon disappear; inner peridium thickish, tough, rigid, becoming brown or purplish-brown, smooth and shining, a long time persistent, and finally with age often fading to silvery-gray; dehiscence taking place at length by an irregular, torn aperture at or about the apex. Mass of spores and capillitium very firm, compact and persistent, at first clay-colored, pale brown or olivaceous, at length dark or purplish-brown; the threads rather small, .6-.8 mm. in extent, three to five times branched, 12–15µ thick, the ultimate branches rigid, nearly straight, tapering to a fine point. =Spores= globose, even, 4–5µ in diameter, sessile or with only a minute pedicel.

Growing on the ground in woods.

=Peridium= 1½-2½ in. in diameter.

This Bovista is remarkably tough, it maintains its shape firmly and persists a long time; it breaks away from its root and rolls about over the old leaves before the wind, even till the following season. _Morgan_.

West Virginia, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, in fields and woods on ground. June to October. _McIlvaine_.

Edible. _Trelease_.

When young and fresh it is excellent.

=B. Monta´na= Morg. Peridium subglobose with a cord-like root. Cortex a thin white continuous layer, breaking up at maturity into a mealy or furfuraceous coat, which soon falls away; inner peridium thin, flaccid, becoming brown, smooth and shining, dehiscent by an irregular torn aperture about the apex. Mass of spores and capillitium soft, lax, at first ochraceous or pale-brown, finally purplish-brown; the threads curled and flexuous, very large, with an expanse of 1.25–1.75 mm., four to seven times branched, the main stem 15–20µ in thickness, the ultimate branches long and tapering. =Spores= globose, even, 4.5–5.5µ in diameter, often with a minute pedicel.

Growing on the ground. Rocky mountains. _Jones._ Peridium 1½-2 in. in diameter. This differs from B. pila in being soft, flaccid, and soon collapsing; it, no doubt, is not so persistent. Microscopically it is readily distinguished by its much larger threads. _Morgan._

=B. nigres´cens= (Vitt.) Pers.—blackish. Peridium subglobose, with a fibrous mycelium. Cortex a thin, smooth, white continuous layer, at maturity breaking up into scales, which soon disappear; inner peridium thin, flaccid, becoming dark-brown, smooth and shining, dehiscent at the apex by a lacerate mouth. Mass of spores and capillitium soft, lax, at first ochraceous or olivaceous, at length purplish-brown; the threads flexuous, about 1 mm. in extent, three to five times branched, the main stem 12–18µ thick, the ultimate branches tapering. =Spores= globose or oval, even, 5–6µ in diameter, with long hyaline pedicels.

Growing in old pastures, in fields and woods. Canada, _Saccardo_; Pennsylvania, _Schweinitz_; North Carolina, _Curtis_; Ohio, _Lea_; California, _Harkness_.

Peridium 1–2 in. in diameter. I have never succeeded in obtaining an American specimen of this species; my description is drawn up from European specimens. _Morgan._

Pennsylvania, _McIlvaine_. B. nigrescens is a first-class puff-ball.

=B. plum´bea= Pers.—lead-colored. Peridium ¾-1¼ in. in diameter, depressed-globose, with a fibrous mycelium. Cortex a thin, smooth, white continuous coat, loosening at maturity and shelling off, except sometimes a small portion about the base; inner peridium thin, tough, smooth, lead-colored, dehiscent at the apex by a round or oblong aperture. Mass of spores and capillitium soft, lax, ochraceous or olivaceous, then purplish-brown, the threads .8–1.0 mm. in extent, three to five times branched, the main stem 12–16µ thick, the ultimate branches long, straight and tapering to a fine point. =Spores= oval, even, 6–7×5–6µ, with long hyaline pedicels.

Growing on the ground in meadows and pastures. _Morgan._

Indiana, in abandoned brick-yard, _H.I. Miller_; West Virginia, New Jersey, Pennsylvania. Common on ground in open places. Solitary or in groups. Spring to autumn; after rains, _McIlvaine_.

Edible. _Trelease_, _Badham_.

The botanic difference between a Lycoperdon and a Bovista does not affect the Mycophagist. He can not distinguish the difference when cooked. B. plumbea is given in Cooke and in Massee as Lycoperdon plumbeum. Bovista plumbea is a first-class edible.

=B. mi´nor= Morg. (Plate CLXXIX, p. 610.) =Peridium= subglobose, deeply sunk in the soil and connected with it by a filamentous mycelium, which issues from every part of the surface. Cortex thickish, rough and irregular from the adherent soil, fragile, falling away at maturity, except sometimes a small portion about the base; inner peridium thin, smooth, flaccid, reddish-brown, dehiscent by a regular apical mouth. Mass of spores and capillitium olivaceous, then reddish-brown; the threads curled and flexuous, with an expanse of 1.0–1.5 mm., two to four times branched, the main stem 10–15µ thick, the ultimate branches very long and tapering to a fine point. =Spores= globose or slightly oval, even, 3.5–4.5µ in diameter, with long hyaline pedicels.

Growing in damp shaded situations. Ohio, _Morgan_; Nebraska, _Webber_. Peridium ½-¾ of an inch in diameter. A species well marked by its peculiar habit. The curled and flexuous threads are interesting microscopic objects. _Morgan._

GENUS XIII.—=MYCENAS´TRUM= Desv.

(Plate CLXXXII.)

Mycelium funicular, rooting from the base. =Peridium= subglobose, without a thickened base; cortex a smooth continuous layer, at first closely adnate to the inner peridium, after maturity gradually breaking up and falling away; inner peridium thick, tough, coriaceous, becoming hard, rigid and corky, the upper part finally breaking up into irregular lobes or fragments. Capillitium originating within the tissue of the gleba; the threads free, short, thick, with a few short branches, acutely pointed and with scattered prickles. =Spores= large, globose, sessile, brown.

Puff-balls of considerable size, growing in the sandy soil of dry regions. A very distinct genus, in no way related to Scleroderma, and resembling it only in its thick, corky, inner peridium. The threads of the capillitium originate within the tissue of the gleba, along with the spores, and are set free by deliquescence, the same as in Bovista. _Morgan._

=M. spinulo´sum= Pk. =Peridium= globose, depressed globose, sometimes elongated and often irregular, with a thick, cord-like root. Cortex at first a thickish, white, smooth, continuous layer; after maturity it cracks or becomes furrowed into large polygonal areas, and at length falls away in large flakes or scales; inner peridium very thick, at first white and coriaceous, becoming hard, dry, brown and rigid, the upper part finally breaking up into irregular lobes or fragments. Mass of spores and capillitium compact then friable, at first olivaceous, then dark purplish-brown; the threads bent, curved and flexuous, subhyaline, .2-.7 mm. in length, about the same thickness as the spores, with a few short branches, and with scattered prickles, which are most abundant toward the acute extremities. =Spores= globose, very minutely warted, opaque, 9–12µ in. diameter, often with a minute or slender hyaline pedicel.

Growing on the sandy soil of the western prairies. Wisconsin, _Brown_; Dakota, _Ellis_; Nebraska, _Webber_; Colorado, _Trelease_; Kansas, _Kellerman_, _Cragin_; New Mexico, _Irish_.

=Peridium= 2–4 in. in diameter. The plants are said to grow together in groups, sometimes of many individuals; after maturity they are easily loosened from their place of growth and are then rolled about by the wind. _Morgan._

No report upon edibility. Probably good.

FAMILY III.—=SCLERODERMA´CEÆ=.

=Peridium= discrete from the gleba, often with a columella; cells of the gleba subpersistent. _Morgan._

GENUS I.—=SCLERODER´MA= Pers.

_Scleros_, hard; _derma_, skin.

Skin firm with an innate bark, bursting irregularly; woolly threads adhering on all sides to the bark and forming distinct veins in the central mass. Base sterile, usually becoming elongated into a stem-like structure. =Spores= large, granulated.

Scleroderma vulgare and verrucosum are general and very common over the United States. S. bovista and S. geaster have the same range but are not so common. They much resemble puff-balls, but are more pudgy, solid-looking. All are edible. Their qualities are noted under their descriptions.

(Plate CLXXX.)

A-B. Firm when young and remain nearly so when mature.

=S. vulga´re= Fr.—_vulgaris_, common. (Plate CLXXX.) Subsessile, irregular; bark corky, hard, opening indefinitely; inner mass in which the spores are collected into little heaps separated by a few grayish woolly threads, bluish-black. =Spores= dingy; in the mass blackish with purple tinge, globose, warted, 9–11µ _Massee_.

The larger form is generally of a yellowish or brownish hue, surface warty or covered with rough scales; the smaller, stemless minutely warty, bright brown.

Under trees, etc. Often cespitose, 1–3 in. across. =Peridium= variable, white or pale-brown, often becoming pink when cut. Dehiscing by decay of upper portion of peridium. _Massee._

Scleroderma vulgare is one of our most common and plentiful toadstools. Its hard, rough, warty, light brown knobs, single or clustered, growing along brook-banks or under trees, generally choosing hard ground, are known to all who observe Nature’s curiosities. When quite young they are white inside. As they enlarge the center darkens and this purplish color finally develops into a grayish-purplish-black which extends throughout the interior and gives it a granular appearance. The fungus is solid, cutting like a potato. Its smell is strong; also its taste when raw. Sliced and well-cooked the species is good, even after it has become purplish, but if a single one is wilted it will embitter a whole dish. Or if it is not very well stewed or fried it remains strong. In no condition is it injurious. Specimens must be pared, and the base well cut away.

=S. bovis´ta= Fr. Subsessile, often irregular, peridium thin, pliant, almost smooth; tramal walls floccose, _yellow_, mass of spores olive-brown, spores globose, warted, 10–13µ.

Sandy soil under trees, etc. From 1–2 in. across. Distinguished by the thin, almost smooth peridium, and the yellow tramal walls. _Massee._

West Virginia, New Jersey, Pennsylvania. On ground under trees. June to November. _McIlvaine._

Not rough like S. vulgare and S. verrucosum, nor as solid. Same habit, same edible qualities when young. It is not good after it begins to change color.

=S. verruco´sum= Pers.—_verrucosus_, covered with warts (_verruc[oe]_). Peridium thin above, ochraceous or dingy brown, covered with minute warts, subglobose, continued downward as a more or less elongated stem-like base. =Spores= umber in the mass; trama whitish.

=Spores= globose, warted, 10–13µ.

On the ground, under trees, etc. Peridium 1–3 in. across. =Stem= ½-2 in. long, thick, flatly pitted, sometimes almost sessile, when it approaches S. vulgare, but is distinguished by the thin peridium and absence of purple tinge in the immature spore mass. _Massee._

West Virginia, New Jersey, Pennsylvania. June to October. On ground under trees. Same habit as S. vulgare. _McIlvaine._

S. verrucosum closely resembles S. vulgare. The distinctions are noted in the description. It must be young, fresh and white inside, or it is bitter. It is not of as good quality as S. vulgare.

=S. geas´ter= Fr.—resembling genus Geaster in its manner of opening. Subglobose, sessile, peridium thick, rigid, almost smooth, splitting in an irregularly stellate manner at the apex.

=Spores= warted, 12–16µ.

Sandy places. Known by the peridium dehiscing in a stellate manner; from 1–2 in. across. _Massee._

New Jersey, August. In sandy woods. _McIlvaine._

I have found but few specimens. Those were edible and good.

GENUS II.—=POLYSAC´CUM= De C.

_Polus_, many; _saccus_, a sack.

(Plate CLXXXI.)

Peridium irregularly globose, thick, attenuated downward into a stem-like base, opening by disintegration of its upper portion; internal mass (gleba) divided into distinct sack-like cells.

Allied to Scleroderma and distinguished by the cavities of the gleba containing distinct peridiola. _Massee._

=P. pisocar´pium= Fr. _Gr_—a pea; _Gr_—fruited. =Peridium= irregularly globose, indistinctly nodulose, passing downward into a stout stem-like base; peridiola irregularly angular, 4–5×2–3µ, yellow. =Spores= globose, warted, coffee-color, 9–13µ _Massee_.

P. pisocarpium was quite common at Mt. Gretna, Pa., from August to October, 1898, in open pine and mixed woods, growing from sandy ground. The height reached 5 in. and diameter 2 in. The shapes were usually those of inverted pears, more or less flattened along their lengths. Skin hard, polished, olivaceous-black with dull yellow mottlings, not unlike rattlesnake skin. When broken the peridiola (small ovate cylinders which bear the spores within) are very distinct, often over ⅛ in. long. The entire interior is dark when mature, and the rupture of the plant is irregular and by disintegration of the upper part. They often dry without rupturing. Search as I would, I could not find a young one, or one in edible condition. The plant is here given because interesting and one the student will wish to identify. It is so odd that it is not surprising to find it employed as a medicine in China.

TOADSTOOL POISONING AND ITS TREATMENT

BY W.S. CARTER, M.D. Professor of Physiology and Hygiene, University of Texas, Galveston, Texas.

The poisonous mushrooms, or so-called toadstools, may be grouped in two classes: (1) Those containing minor or irritant poisons, which act locally on the gastro-intestinal tract, such as the Clitocybe illudens, Lepiota Morgani and others, and (2) those containing major poisons which act on the nerve centers after absorption, causing symptoms to appear a long time after the poison has been taken and very often terminating fatally. This group includes the Amanita muscaria, the Amanita bulbosa or Am. verna and the Amanita phalloides.

From the prompt way in which vomiting and purging begin after eating the toadstools of the first group there seems to be no doubt of the local irritant action on the alimentary canal. Grave symptoms from any constitutional effect or any serious disturbances of the circulation do not occur. Although intensely disagreeable, such poisoning terminates in recovery and may not be regarded as dangerous unless the poison be taken in enormous quantity or by one in poor health.

In poisoning by the deadly toxic Amanitæ vomiting and purging may also occur as prominent symptoms, but generally only occur late—ten to fifteen hours after eating the toadstool—and are due to the action of the poison on the nerve centers. This is clear from the fact that these symptoms appear when the poison is given either hypodermatically or intravenously to animals.

It is exceedingly unfortunate that these deadly poisonous toadstools do not give some warning either in an unpleasant taste or contain an irritant which would act locally to cause emesis and purgation, for in that case the patient would get rid of the poison before such large quantities were absorbed and fatal poisoning would be less frequent. They are not at all unpalatable and sometimes large quantities are eaten by mistake.