Taxonomisch-Pflanzengeographische Monographie der Gattung Bovista

Pp. viii, 244; 70 full page plates (line-drawings, black-and-white photos, geographic maps with species distributions).  Publisher’s original gray stiff printed wrappers, lettered in black on the spine and front cover, lg 8vo.  Beihefte Nova Hedwigia, heft 25.  This monograph deals with the plant geography of the genus Bovista.  Bovista is a genus of fungi commonly known as the true puffballs. It was formerly classified within the now-obsolete order Lycoperdales. Following a restructuring of fungal taxonomy brought about by molecular phylogeny, the now-obsolete order Lycoperdales, has been split; the species of Bovista are now placed in the family Agaricaceae of the order Agaricales.  Bovista species have a collectively widespread distribution and are found largely in temperate regions of the world.  Various species have historically been used in homeopathic preparations.  This volume is from the private research collection of University of Michigan mycologist Alexander H. Smith with his signature on the front wrapper.  There is another signature on the half title page.