is anchored by a heavy root-like
growth. It is found growing on the ground in fields and thin woods. When
white through and through, sliced, rolled in egg and cracker crumbs, and
nicely fried, you are glad you know a puffball. Found from August to
October.

_Calvatia craniiformis. Schw._

THE BRAIN-SHAPED CALVATIA. EDIBLE.

[Illustration: Plate LX. Figure 460.--Calvatia craniiformis.]

[Illustration: Figure 461.--The sterile part of C. craniiformis.]

Craniiformis is from _Cranion_, a skull; _forma_, a form.

The peridium is very large, obovoid or top-shaped, depressed above, the
base thick and stout, with a cord-like root. The cortex is 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 is thin, ochraceous to bright-brown, extremely
fragile, the upper part, after maturity, breaking into fragments and
falling away.

The subgleba occupies about one-half of the peridium, is cup-shaped
above and for a long time persistent; the mass of spores and capillitium
is greenish-yellow, then ochraceous or dirty olivaceous; the threads are
very long, about as thick as the spores, branched. The spores are
globose, even, 3-3.5u in diameter, with minute pedicels. _Morgan._

It is difficult to distinguish this from C. lilacina when fresh, but
when ripe the color will tell the species. Figure 460 shows the plant as
it appears on the ground, and figure 461 shows the subgleba or sterile
base, which is frequently found on the ground after weathering the
winter. This plant is very common on the hillsides under small oak
shrubbery. I have gathered a basketful within a few feet. They grow very
large, often five to six inches in diameter, seeming to delight in
rather poor soil. When the spore-mass is white this is an excellent
fungus, but exceedingly bitter after it has turned yellow. Found during
October and November.

_Calvatia elata. Massee._

THE STEMMED CALVATIA. EDIBLE.

[Illustration: Figure 462.--Calvatia elata.]

Elata means tall; so called from its long stem.

The peridium is round, often slightly depressed above, plicate below,
where it is abruptly contracted into a long stem-like base. The base is
slender, round, and frequently pitted; mycelium rather plentiful,
fibrous and thread-like. When in good condition it is a rich cream
color. The cortex consists of a coat of minute persistent granules