they are very distinctly conglobated or collected into little masses, which,
from being divided when a knife is used, give a darker colour to the interior
than when it is torn. Stipes irregularly pitted, and very unequal
in length, terminating in a large mass of roots, variously divided, and
partly concealed beneath the ground.
The remarkably coriaceous, rigid peridium, pitted stem, and
large root, render this species sufficiently conspicuons and intelligible.
We therefore find, that less confusion attaches to
this than most other plants of the section to which it belongs.
Some mistakes nevertheless appear to have arisen, from P e r so
o n having attempted to identify the Lycopei'doti defossum
of B a t s c h with his Scleroderma citrinum, and in S ow e rb y
considering his L yc . defossum, as synonymous with L y e . spadiceum
of ScHOEFFER. Mr G r a y has followed P e r s o o n in
referring B a t s c h ’s plant to Scl. citrinum, but has very properly
corrected S ow e rb y ’s error, and removed L yc . spadiceum.
From the figure and very minute description given by
B a t s c h , I have no doubt his is a variety of our plant. W i t
h e r i n g has indeed brought his and S ow e rb y ’s plant together
; hut then he has retained L y c . verrucosum as a distinct
species, between which and L yc . defossum of S ow e rb y there
can be no dispute.
P e r s o o n has a remark, th a t Lycoperdon spadiceum is
probably a mere variety of L y c . citrinum : in this I am half
inclined to acquiesce; hut not having seen all the varieties,
dare not at present venture to decide.
Mr P u r t o n has added Tuber solidum of W i t h e r i n g
as a synonym to L y c . defossum of S ow e rb y , which makes
me doubtful whether he has seen the true plant. Tuber soli-
dmn of W i t h e r i n g is Scleroderma cepa of authors, and a
very distinct species.
Fig. I. A plant about half-groivn. Fig. 2. A mature plant, recently ruptured.
Fig. 3. A plant torn asunder, and scarcely mature. Fig. 4. Filaments and
sportdes.