Illustrations of the Fleshy Fungi of Iowa

The stinkhorn fungi have been chosen as the subject of the eighth group of illustrations of the fleshy fungi of Iowa. They are an interesting group because of their fetid odor that attracts flesh-eating flies, as well as their fantastic morphology. In the immature state their basidiocarps lie just below the surface of the soil, as globose to oval bodies composed of a thin leathery outer membrane over a gelatinous layer which in turn is bounded on the inside by a second membrane. The whole composes the volva which contains the unexpanded stem and spore mass. After a rain the stem expands, pushing the spore mass up into the air. The stem is spongy and hollow and expansion is rapid. The exposed spore mass which is sticky or slimy contains the greater part of the fetid material. Five species in five genera are illustrated and described

Illustrations of the fleshy fungi of Iowa, IX. Further Gasteromycetes

In addition to the puff balls and stinkhorns reported on previously1,2 many other interesting fungi are found among the Gasteromycetes, a few of which it seemed proper to include in this series. They are certain earth-stars, the common birds\u27-nest fungi, a stalked puff ball and a curious form which throws its spore ball like a catapult. The earth-stars, all in the genus Geastrum, are peculiar in that the outer wall of the basidiocarp, consisting of three well-defined layers, splits into lobes which bend away from the inner wall, giving the mature structure the characteristic star-shaped appearance. They are not uncommon but their color and the fact that they remain close to the ground allow them often to be overlooked. The birds\u27-nest fungi, as the name implies, have a number of spore balls (peridioles) enclosed in cup-shaped receptacles (basidiocarps) which are covered by a rupturing membrane (epiphragm). The sporidioles are attached to the interior of the cup by a mycelial thread, the funiculus, which by hygroscopic movements causes them to be discharged from the cup and thus aids their dissemination. Two species in separate genera, Crucibulum levis (DC) Kambly and Cyathus striatus Pers. are presented

Illustrations of the Fleshy Fungi of Iowa VI. Fleshy Poroid Forms

The fleshy poroid fungi which are illustrated in this paper are found in two of the families of the larger fungi, the Polyporaceae and the Boletaceae. Both families contain so many species that a comprehensive treatment of either could not be undertaken in the space available for this series of illustrations. Therefore only five very conspicuous and common species are presented

The Organization of an Academy

The Academy Conference of the American Association for the Advancement of Science is the one place in which representatives of the state academies meet for discussion of their common interests and problems. Since in the past ten years other immediate needs have held its attention, no discussion of the ever present problem of the methods of attaining its objectives has been presented, hence the present subject: - the organization of an academy-was chosen for discussion. As qualifications for presenting this material, the experiences during the past ten years as secretary of the Iowa Academy of Science and also the representative to the Academy Conference of the American Association for the Advancement of Science may be deemed sufficient. During this period the Iowa Academy revised its constitution and in order to develop the foundation for as competent a body of working rules as was possible in the judgment of the revising committee, a study was made of the constitutions of its contemporary organizations. This study was the deciding factor in the selection of the subject for discussion at this meeting

Illustrations of the Fleshy Fungi of Iowa IV. Common Fleshy Ascomycetes

Superficially the fleshy Ascomycetes may be divided into the cup fungi and the sponge-mushrooms, or morels. The latter are undoubtedly the best known edible fungi in the state, for more people recognize them as mushrooms than they do the agarics. Because they are so well-known, the common forms and the more closely related similar species were chosen for illustration

Illustrations of the Fleshy Fungi of Iowa VI. Fleshy Poroid Forms

The fleshy poroid fungi which are illustrated in this paper are found in two of the families of the larger fungi, the Polyporaceae and the Boletaceae. Both families contain so many species that a comprehensive treatment of either could not be undertaken in the space available for this series of illustrations. Therefore only five very conspicuous and common species are presented

Illustrations of the Fleshy Fungi of Iowa VI. Fleshy Poroid Forms

The fleshy poroid fungi which are illustrated in this paper are found in two of the families of the larger fungi, the Polyporaceae and the Boletaceae. Both families contain so many species that a comprehensive treatment of either could not be undertaken in the space available for this series of illustrations. Therefore only five very conspicuous and common species are presented

Illustrations of the Fleshy Fungi of Iowa II. The White-Spored Agarics

A year ago under this title the commoner mushrooms having purple-brown spores were presented. The present contribution, a continuation of that series, describes some gilled mushrooms that are included in the white-spored group. The white-spored agarics comprise the largest number of any of the spore groups of gilled fungi. Therefore, it has been necessary to choose the species to be illustrated. The criteria are frequency of occurrence and ease of identification. On these grounds members of the genera Russula and Lactarius, which are very common, have been excluded because of the difficulties of differentiation of species. Persons interested in these genera should consult the more elaborate trealiscs. Tricholoma seems to be rather infrequent in central Iowa and has, therefore, no representatives among those illustrated

Illustrations of the Fleshy Fungi of Iowa VI. Fleshy Poroid Forms

The fleshy poroid fungi which are illustrated in this paper are found in two of the families of the larger fungi, the Polyporaceae and the Boletaceae. Both families contain so many species that a comprehensive treatment of either could not be undertaken in the space available for this series of illustrations. Therefore only five very conspicuous and common species are presented

Illustrations of the Fleshy Fungi of Iowa V. The Pink-Spored Agarics

This series of illustrations of the fleshy fungi of Iowa was started in 1940 in the Iowa Academy of Science Proceedings. At that time the purple-brown-spored forms were treated. Later the white-spored (1941), black-spored agarics (1942), and the fleshy ascomycetes (1942) have been covered. In this contribution illustration is made of three species of pink-spored agarics, Volvaria bombycina, Entoloma griseum and Pluteus cervinus, and an interesting abnormal form of the last named species