One species is known
by the fluted inside of the covering, which is quite beautiful. They are
all small and grow in groups.
ORDER 3. LYCOPERDONS, THE PUFF-BALLS.
The Lycoperdons contain several genera, among which we select the
Puff-balls proper and the Earth stars.
What child is there who lives in the country and does not know the
Puff-ball? With what gusto he presses it and watches what he calls the
smoke pouring from the chimney. Indeed, the outpouring of myriads of
spores in its ripe stage does suggest smoke from a chimney. The
puff-ball, when young, is of a firm texture, nearly round, grayish, or
brownish outside, but of a pure white within. There are several genera,
but we have selected two--1, Lycoperdon; and 2, Earth Star, or Geaster.
+LYCOPERDON = the puff-ball.+
The puff-balls vary greatly in size, the smallest measure 1/2 inch up to
the largest, about 15 inches. Professor Peck describes them thus:
"Specimens of medium size are 8 to 12 inches in diameter. The largest in
the State Museum is about 15 inches in the dry state.
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