C. craniifor´mis Schw.—cranion, a skull. Peridium very large, obovoid or turbinate, depressed above, the base thick and stout, with a cord-like root. Cortex a smooth continuous layer, very thin and fragile, easily peeling off, pallid or grayish, sometimes with a reddish tinge, often becoming folded in areas; the inner peridium thin, ochraceous to bright brown, velvety, extremely fragile, after maturity the upper part breaking up into fragments and falling away. Subgleba occupying about one-half of the peridium, cup-shaped above and a long time persistent; mass of spores and capillitium greenish-yellow then ochraceous or dirty olivaceous; the threads very long, about as thick as the spores, branched. Spores globose, even, 3–3.5µ in diameter, with a minute pedicel.
Growing on the ground in woods. Peridium commonly 3–6 in. in diameter and 4–5 in. in height, but much larger specimens are sometimes met with. This species abounds in the woods of southern Ohio, growing in great patches of numerous individuals. I do not know that the edible qualities of this species have been tested. Morgan.
Chester county, Pa. Springton Hills. On ground in mixed woods. August to October. McIlvaine.
Not a frequent species with us. I have seen it only in the locality named. The substance is very like that of L. pyriforme. When white it has a strong but pleasant odor, and in this condition it is an excellent fungus. The slightest change to yellow makes it bitter.
C. rubro-fla´va Cragin—reddish-yellow. Peridium obconic, tapering gradually downward to the rooting mycelium. Cortex a very thin furfuraceous or granulose coat, with a few short, scattered spinules above; inner peridium thin and fragile, at first whitish, soon becoming orange-red to orange-brown in color, after maturity the upper part breaking up into fragments and falling away. Subgleba occupying about a third part of the peridium; mass of spores and capillitium reddish-ocher then olivaceous-orange; the threads very long, rather thicker than the spores, branched. Spores globose, even, 3–3.5µ in diameter, sometimes with a minute pedicel.
Growing on the ground. Kansas, Cragin, Kellerman. Peridium 1½-3 in. in height with a breach of 1–2 in. The peculiar orange or rather reddish-ocher color with which the whole plant is pervaded at maturity is very remarkable. Morgan.
III.—Stipitatæ.
Peridium depressed, globose above, abruptly contracted below into a long stem-like base; subgleba not definitely limited above, continuous with the capillitium, persistent.
C. sacca´ta (Vahl.) Fr.—saccus, a bag or pouch. Medium size, 2–4 in. high, 1–2 in. broad. Peridium depressed-globose or somewhat lentiform, supported by a long stem-like base, furfuraceous with minute persistent mealy or granular warts or spinules, often plicate beneath, white or creamy-white, at maturity becoming brown or olive-brown, subshining and very thin or membranous, breaking up into irregular fragments which sometimes adhere to the capillitium for a considerable time, the stem-like base cylindrical or narrowed downward, sometimes thick; capillitium rather dense, subpersistent, and with the spores dingy-olive or dingy-brown, sometimes verging toward purplish-brown. Spores rough, 4–5µ in diameter. Edible.
Low mossy grounds and bushy swamps, especially under alders. Sandlake, Center and Adirondack mountains. August to October. Peck, 32d Rep. N.Y. State Bot.