ate and having a
determinate mouth. This plant is very common on all the wooded hillsides
about Chillicothe. I have seen the ground on the top of Mt. Logan almost
completely covered with them. They are identified by Mr. Lloyd, Prof.
Atkinson, and Dr. Peck. The plants in Figure 487 were photographed by
Mr. Lloyd from typical specimens.

_Geaster mammosus. Chev._

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

Figure 488.--Geaster mammosus.]

Exporidium thin, rigid, hygroscopic, smooth, divided almost to the base
into about ten linear segments, often umbilicate at the base; inner
peridium globose, smooth, sessile, furnished with a conical, even,
protruding mouth, seated on a definite area.

Columella short, globose, evident (though distinct in mature plants).

Capillitium simple, tapering, hyaline, often flattened, slightly thinner
than the spores. Spores globose, roughened, 3-7 mc. _Lloyd._

This plant is found in the woods from July till late in the fall. It
differs from G. hygrometricus by its even, conical mouth. I found
specimens several times in Haynes's Hollow.

_Geaster velutinus. Morg._

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

Figure 489.--Geaster velutinus.]

Unexpanded plants globose, sometimes slightly pointed at apex. Mycelium
basal. Outer layer rigid, membranaceous, firm, light colored in the
American plant. The surface is covered with short, dense, appressed
velumen, so that to the eye the surface appears simply dull and rough,
but its true nature is readily seen under a glass of low power.

The outer surface separates from the inner as the plant expands, and in
mature specimens is usually partly free. The thickness and texture of
the two layers are about the same. The fleshy layer is dark
reddish-brown when dry, a thin adnate layer. Inner peridium sessile,
dark colored, globose, with a broad base and pointed mouth. Mouth even,
marked with a definite circular light-colored basal zone. Columella
elongated, clavate. Spores globose, almost smooth, small, 2.6-3.5 mc.
_Lloyd._

_Myriostoma coliformis. Dick._

[Illustration: Figure 490.--Myriostoma coliformis. Natural size.]

Exporidium usually recurved, cut to about the middle into six to ten
lobes; if collected and dried when first open, rather firm and rigid;
when exposed to weather becoming like parchment paper by the peeling off
of the inner and outer layers. Inner peridium, subglobose, supported on
several more or less confluent pedicels.