NIDULARIACEAE--BIRD'S NEST FUNGI.

Spores produced on sporophores, compacted into one or more globose or
disciform bodies, contained within a distinct peridium. _Berkeley._

There are four genera included in this order.

Cyathus--Peridium cup-shaped, composed of three different membranes.
Crucibulum--Peridium of a uniform spongy membrane.
Nidularia--Peridium globose, sporangia enveloped in mucus.
Sphaerobolus--Peridium double, sporangia ejected singly.

_Cyathus. Pers._

Cyathus is from a Greek word meaning a cup.

The peridium is composed of three membranes very closely related, closed
at first by a white membrane, but finally bursting at the top. Sporangia
plane, umbilicate, attached to the wall by an elastic cord.

_Cyathus striatus. Hoffm._

STRIATE CYATHUS.

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

Figure 441.--Cyathus striatus.]

The plants are small, obconic, truncate, broadly open; externally
ferruginous, with a hairy tomentum, internally lead-color, smooth,
striated.

The sporangia are somewhat trigonous, whitish, broadly umbilicate;
covering of the cup thin, evanescent, somewhat thicker underneath, and
cottony, often covered with down-like meal.

The spores are thick and oblong.

This is a very interesting little plant. It is quite widely distributed.
I have had it from several states, including New England. It is easily
identified by the striations, or lines, on the inside of the cup, being
the only species thus marked by internal striae. The peridioles of the
species fill only the lower part of the cup, below the striations.

_Cyathus vernicosus. D. C._

VARNISHED CYATHUS.

[Illustration: Figure 442.--Cyathus vernicosus.]

Vernicosus means varnished. It is bell-shaped, base narrowly subsessile,
broadly open above, somewhat wavy; externally rusty-brown, silky
tomentose, finally becoming smooth, internally lead-colored.

The sporangia are blackish, frequently somewhat pale, even; covering
rather thick, sprinkled with a grayish meal. Spores elliptical,
colorless, 12-14x10u. I have frequently seen the ground in gardens and
stubble-fields covered with these beautiful little plants. The quite
firm, thick, and flaring cup will easily distinguish the species. The
eggs or peridioles are black and quite large, appearing white because
covered with a thin white membrane. Found in late summer and fall. The
plants in Figure 442 were photographed by Prof. G. D. Smith.

_Cyathus s