Peridium subglobose, membranaceous, dehiscent by an apical mouth, or opening irregularly; threads of the capillitium free, short, several times dichotomously branched.
13. Mycenastrum. Page 613.
Peridium subglobose, very thick, coriaceous, the upper part finally breaking up into irregular lobes or fragments; threads of the capillitium free, short, with a few short branches and scattered prickles. Morgan.
GENUS IV.—GEA´STER Mich.
Gr—the earth; Gr—star.
Mycelium filamentous or fibrous, much branched and interwoven with the soil. Peridium subglobose, composed of two distinct persistent coats; outer peridium thick, fleshy-coriaceous, at first closely investing the inner, but discrete (distinct) at maturity splitting from the apex downward into several segments which become reflexed; inner peridium thin, membranaceous then papyraceous (like parchment), sessile or with a short pedicel, dehiscent at the apex by a single mouth. Capillitium taking its origin from the inner surface of the peridium and also from a distinct central columella, which arises from its base; threads simple, long, slender, thickest in the middle and tapering to each extremity, fixed at one end and free at the other. Spores small, globose, minutely warted, brown. Morgan.
Geaster hygrometricus.
Natural size. (After Morgan.)
G. minimus, when found by the writer, was not tested because not found in condition. It is a plant beautiful in its oddity. Its seven to nine outer segments of skin loosen at the bottom, spring up, raising the oval body of the plant with them, turn their points down and balance on the lower points, and look, in miniature, just as would two sectional orange peels spread at their loose points if one was rested, point to point, upon the other. This hoisting of the spore-bearing part aloft, that it may better eject its spores to the wind, does not seem to have been noted by Professor Morgan. Specimens sent to Professor Peck by the writer beautifully illustrated this enterprise of the plant.