tercoreus._

[Illustration: Figure 443.--Cyathus stercoreus.]

Stercoreus is from _stercus_, dung. This species, as the name suggests,
is found on manure or manured grounds. Mr. Lloyd gives the following
description: "The cups are even inside, and with shaggy hairs outside.
When old they become smoother, and are sometimes mistaken for Cyathus
vernicosus. However when once learned, the plants can be readily
distinguished by the cups. Cyathus stercoreus varies considerably,
however, as to shape and size of cups, according to habitat. If growing
on a cake of manure, they are shorter and more cylindrical; if in loose
manured ground, especially in grass, they are more slender and inclined
to a stalk at the base." The peridioles or eggs are blacker than other
species. They are found in late summer and fall.

_Crucibulum. Tul._

The peridium consists of a uniform, spongy, fibrous felt, closed by a
flat scale-like covering of the same color.

The sporangia are plane, attached by a cord, springing from a small
nipple-like tubercle.

This genus is distinguished from Cyathus, its nearest ally, by the
peridial wall, consisting of two layers only.

_Crucibulum vulgare. Tul._

[Illustration: _Photo by C. G. Lloyd._

Figure 444.--Crucibulum vulgare.]

The peridium is tan-colored, thick externally nearly even, internally
quite even, smooth, shining; mouths of young plants are covered with a
thin yellowish membrane called the epiphragm. When old the cups bleach
out and lose their yellow color. The peridioles or eggs are white, that
is they are covered with a white membrane. Their yellowish color and
white eggs will readily distinguish this species.

They are found on decayed weeds, sticks, and pieces of wood. The
specimens in the halftone grew on an old mat and were photographed by
Mr. C. G. Lloyd.

_Nidularia. Tul._

The peridium is uniform, consisting of a single membrane; globose, at
first closed, finally ruptured or opening with a circular mouth.

The sporangia are quite small and numerous, not attached by a funiculus
to the peridium, enveloped in mucus.

_Nidularia pisiformis. Tul._

PEA-SHAPED NIDULARIA.

[Illustration: _Photo by C. G. Lloyd._

Figure 445.--Nidularia pisiformis.]

Pisiformis is from two Latin words meaning _pea_ and _form_.

The plant is gregarious, nearly round, sessile, rootless, hairy, brown
or brownish, splitting irregularly.

The sporangia are subrotund or discoidal in form