_Illustrations_: _C. gigantea_--Hvass 312; LH 217; NB 371; WD 109⁷. _B. nigrescens_--Hvass 311; LH 219; NB 37³. [Illustration: Plate 63. Puff-Balls] Earth-stars and Earth-balls The earth-stars, i.e. species of _Geastrum_, are closely related to the puff-balls, but differ in having two very distinct and separate enclosing walls, the outer one splitting at maturity to expose a ‘puff-ball’ within; an example of the genus is _G. triplex_ Jungh, found in parks or under beech trees or _G. rufescens_ Pers. (illustrated) in mixed woodland. The outer skin splits in different ways in different species: in some it splits like a star--hence the common name of Earth-star, in some the spore-mass is raised as if on stilts. There are several species of _Geastrum_ recorded for Britain, but they are decidedly uncommon. The Earth-balls are, however, far from uncommon and may be met with from early summer until late autumn in any wood particularly those on sandy soils. They are unrelated to the earth-stars. Earth-balls ~Scleroderma citrinum~ Persoon Common earth-ball _Fruit-body_: diameter 25-75 mm. _Description_: Fruit-body: rounded or flattened on top, sometimes lobed, very firm, yellow or clay colour, scaly, thick, white within or pinkish, if cut when immature, and then purplish black as the spores mature. Stem: absent or reduced to a small group of mycelial cords. Spore-mass: purplish black. Spores: medium to large, dark brown, 8-13 µm in diameter and covered with a delicate network. _Habitat_ & _Distribution_: On the ground in woods or on heaths. _General Information_: This fungus is found in many books under the name of _S. aurantium_. _S. verrucosum_ Persoon is closely related, but has a stem-like rooting base and an umber brown spore-mass. The spores are also slightly different; they are 10-14 µm in diameter and ornamented with spines and ridges. The earth-balls appear to have characters in common with the false truffles, indeed sometimes they grow partially buried in the sandy soil of woods. Like the false truffles they have been used to adulterate pâté as a cheap substitute for true truffles (see p. 244). It is not wise, however, to eat earth-balls as there are cases of poisoning known. Although truffle-like, they should be avoided except under the guidance of an expert, as with agarics. _Illustrations_: _Geastrum triplex_--Hvass 307; LH 221; NB 155¹. _Scleroderma citrinum_--Hvass 320; LH 223; NB 155⁵; WD 111³. [Illustration: Plate 64. Earth-balls and Earth-stars] Stinkhorns ~Phallus impudicus~ Persoon Common stinkhorn _Fruit-body_: Egg: 30-60 mm in diameter--then _Cap_: 25-40 mm and _Stem_: width 18-25 mm; length 100-150 mm. _Description_: Fruit-body: commencing as a white, silky egg-like structure full of jelly in which is embedded a conical cap attached only at its apex to a cylindrical white, spongy, hollow stem.