allel to each other like the pile
of velvet, exactly as in the young hymenium of an Agaric or
Boletus. Occasionally one or two filaments cross from one wall to
another, and once I have seen these anastomose. At a more advanced
stage of growth, four little spicules are developed at the tips of
the sporophores, all of which, as far as I have been able to observe,
are fertile and of equal height, and on each of these spicules a
globose spore is seated. It is clear that we have here a structure
identical with that of the true Hymenomycetes, a circumstance which
accords well with the fleshy habit and mode of growth. There is some
difficulty in ascertaining the exact structure of the species just
noticed, as the fruit-bearing cells, or sporophores, are very
small, and when the spicules are developed the substance becomes so
flaccid that it is difficult to cut a proper slice, even with the
sharpest lancet. I have, however, satisfied myself as to the true
structure by repeated observations. But should any difficulty arise
in verifying it in the species in question, there will be none in
doing so in _Lycoperdon giganteum_. In this species the fructifying
mass consists of the same sinuous cavities, which are, however,
smaller, so that the substance is more compact, and I have not seen
them traversed by any filaments. In an early stage of growth, the
surface of the hymenium, that is of the walls of the cavities,
consists of short threads composed of two or three articulations,
which are slightly constricted at the joints, from which, especially
from the last, spring short branchlets, often consisting of a
single cell. Sometimes two or more branchlets spring from the same
point. Occasionally the threads are constricted without any
dissepiments, the terminal articulations are obtuse, and soon swell
very much, so as greatly to exceed in diameter those on which they
are seated. When arrived at their full growth, they are somewhat
obovate, and produce four spicules, which at length are surmounted
each with a globose spore. When the spores are fully developed, the
sporophores wither, and if a solution of iodine be applied, which
changes the spores to a rich brown, they will be seen still adhering
by their spicules to the faded sporophores. The spores soon become
free, but the spicule often still adheres to them; but they are not
attached to the intermingled filaments. In _Bovista plumbea_, the
spores have very long peduncles.[U] As in t