G E A S T R UM m u l t i f i d u m .
M m y -c le ft Earth-star.
C la s s a n d O r d e r CRYPTOGAMIA FUNGI, Linn.—S a i . O rd . GASTROMYCI,
Link FUNGI, I I I . G a s t e r o m y c e t e s , Fries.
GENERIC CHARACTER.
Pendium duplex : exterius coriaceum radiatim rumpens, reflexum, peràstens ;
interius membranaceum ostiolatum.
Peridium double : outer one coriaceous, bursting in a radiating manner,
reflexed, persistent ; inner one membranaceous, furnished with one or
more orifices.
SPECIFIC CHARACTER.
G e a s t r u m ste llatum; peridio externo multijido, patente, laciniis incequalibus ;
interno pedunculato, globoso, ostiolo conico, fimbriato.
G. outer peridium many-cleft, spreading, the segments unequal; inner one
pedunculate, globose, the orifice conical, fimbriated.
G e a s t r u m multifidum, Pers. Meth. Fung. p. 6. var. ¡3— De Cand. FI. Franf.
V. 2. p . 267.—Ejusd. Syn. p. 55.
G e a s t r u m coronatum, var. x, Pers. Syn. Fung. p. 132.
L y c o p e r d o n stellatum, Linn. Sp. P I 1653.—Huds. FI. Angl. p. 643.—Bolt.
Fung. t. 179.— Belli. FI. Cantab, ed. 3. p. 565.— With. Bot. A rr. ed. 6. v. 4.
p. 445. var. 1.— Woodw. in Linn. Trans, v. 2. p. 54.—Som. Fung. t. 312.
— Purt. Midi. FI. V. 2. p. 701. et v. 3. p. 480. t. 20.
L y c o p e r d o n recolligens. Som. Fung. t. 80. ? (L. sessile sub L . recoil, vero,
t. 401.)
L y c o p e r d o n fornicatum, B ry. Acc. o f two Lycoperdons, f. 12,-14. et 16,-17-
fid e Woodward.
F u n g u s pulverulentus, crepitus lupi dictus, coronatus et inferne stellatus,
Ray, Syn. p. 27- t. 1. f. 1.
H a b . Woods and hedge-banks. Near E dinburgh in 1782, Sir J am e s E dw
a r d S m i t h . Woodmill Plantation (parish of Abdie), Fifeshire, in
October, J am e s H e r i o t , Esq.
Plant produced beneath the surface of the soil, and, while in that situation,
of a globular form, and rough tomentose surface. When arrived at maturity,
the outer peridium bursts at the summit, and splits into several
unequal segments, which expand, throw off the soil, and expose the
inner peridium to the atmosphere. During this process, the tomentose
coat of the outer peridium is wholly or partially lost, and (assisted per-
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