whose ovate sac-like cells will easily distinguish it. Found from August
to October, it delights in sandy soil, in pine or mixed woods.

_Mitremyces. Nees._

Mitremyces is made up of two words: _mitre_, a cap; _myces_, a mushroom.
It is a small genus, there being but three species found in this
country. The spore-mass or gleba, in its young state, is surrounded by
four layers. The outer layer is gelatinous and behaves itself somewhat
differently in each species. This outer layer is known as the volva or
volva-like peridium, which soon disappears. The next layer is called
the exoperidium and is composed of two layers, the inner one quite thin
and cartilaginous--in M. cinnabarinus it is a bright red; this is
attached to a rather thick, gelatinous, outer layer which soon falls
away, exposing the endoperidium, which is the layer seen in older
specimens. Within the endoperidium are the spores, which are pale
ochraceous or sulphur color, globose or elliptical in shape. They are
contained in a separate membrane or sac; when they mature the sac
contracts and forces the spores out into the air. The mycelium of this
plant is especially peculiar, being composed of a bundle of root-like
strands, translucent and jelly-like when young and fresh, but becoming
tough and hard. This genus is called by some authors Calostoma, meaning
a beautiful mouth, a very appropriate name, as the mouths of all
American species are red and quite beautiful.

_Mitremyces cinnabarinus. Desv._

[Illustration: Figure 481.--Mitremyces cinnabarinus. Natural size.]

The rooting strands are long, compact, dark when dry. Exporidium bright
red, smooth internally; the outer layer thick, gelatinous when fresh,
finally breaking into areas and curling inward. The separation is caused
by the fact that the cells of the thick gelatinous portion expand by the
absorption of water, while those of the inner layer do not, hence the
rupture occurs. The endoperidium and rayed mouth are bright red when
fresh, partially fading in old specimens.

The spores are elliptical-oblong, punctate-sculptured, varying much as
to size in specimens from different localities; 6-8x10-14 in West
Virginia specimens. Massachusetts specimens, 6-8x12-20. _Lloyd._

I have seen these specimens growing in the mountains in West Virginia.
They quickly arrest the attention because of their bright red caps. They
seem not, as yet, to have crossed the Alleghenies--at least I have not
found it in