1894. _Stemonitis splendens var. confluens_ Lister, _Mycet._, p. 112.
1899. _Stemonitis confluens_ Cke. & Ell., Macbr., _N. A. S._, p. 114.
1911. _Stemonitis confluens_ Cke. & Ellis, List., _Mycet., 2nd ed._,
p. 147.
"Sporangia fasciculate, confluent on a persistent hypothallus, dark
fuscous; peridia very fugacious; stipes united at the base, erect,
furcate; spores large, brown, globose. On oak bark.
"The stems are branched in a furcate manner and confluent at the base,
forming a compact tuft. The capillitium is membranaceous at the angles;
spores very large compared with allied species, being 12 mu. The
specimens were too fully matured for more satisfactory description."
Such is the original description of this unique and interesting species.
The sporangia occur in close-set tufts or clusters, are distinct,
separate at their tips and bases only; perhaps not always at base. The
capillitium rises by branching from the columella, rather more prolific
than usual, and combines to form a distinct superficial net of large
even meshes. From the outer arcs of the bounding net spring rather long
acute processes which should support the peridium. This, however, is
altogether rudimentary. In most places there is no sign of peridium at
all, but here and there between contiguous sporangia opposite processes
unite and at their point of union a tiny circular disk of the peridial
membrane appears. At intervals, therefore, over the entire sporangium
are seen these small brown disks, each about equalling in diameter the
size of the average mesh. At other points the sporangia do not seem at
all coalescent, but where the opposing processes do meet the union is
perfect and the little disk seen edgewise looks like some delicate
counter strung upon a wire.
The interest attaching to this in view of what has been said about
_Amaurochaete_ and _Brefeldia_ is obvious.
Under the lens the spores and capillitium are concolorous, dark fuscous,
the spores distinctly verruculose, about 12.5 mu.
The original gathering here described was from New Jersey; twenty years
later Mr. Ellis was so fortunate as to find again fine specimens all on
oak bark. The sporangia are quite small, only 3 mm. high, when blown out
concolorous with the habitat.
2. STEMONITIS TRECHISPORA (_Berk._) _Torr._
PLATE XX., Figs. 11, 11 _a_, 11 _b_, 11 _c_.
1909. _Stemonitis fusca_ (Roth) Rost. var. _trechispora_ (Berk.),
_Fl. Myxom._, Torrend, p. 141.
1911. _Stemonitis fusca var. trechispora_ Torr., List., _Mycetozoa,
2nd ed._, p. 144.
Fructification in form of aggregations of more or less coalescent,
small, dark-brown or dull black, sessile sporangia; hypothallus
continuous, well-developed; columella black, gently tapering to a point
beneath the apex, the capillitial branches, irregular, few, but passing
into an open rather evenly-meshed net, the mesh several times the
spore-diameter, free-ending branch-tips not lacking; the spores by
transmitted light distinctly brown, the epispore a beautiful
reticulation, a dozen or more cells to the hemisphere, 10-12 mu.
This is entered sometimes as a variety of _S. fusca_ to which species
relationship would seem remote. The differences lie in form, color and
structure. The spores alone are distinctive; there are none such, so
far, none just like them, elsewhere in the genus. Torrend and Lister
both enter the form as varietal; why not set it out, and save questions?
The habitat approaches that of _Amaurochaete_, but the sporangia are
distinct.
For our specimens we are indebted to the kindness of Dr. Roland Thaxter.
The specimens were taken in a half-dry marsh, near Cambridge.
Material from Toronto sent by Professor Faull is also provisionally here
referred. The form has netted spores, but they are not quite the same.
The structure besides is more that of an amaurochaete; it has the
peculiar basal webs and band-like stipes at base, stipes that never rise
from horizontal to perpendicular and characterize _Reticularia_ and
especially _Brefeldia_ as well as the usual amaurochaete. See Plate XX.,
Figs. 9, 9_a_, 9_b_.
3. STEMONITIS FUSCA (_Roth_) _Rost._
PLATE VI., Figs. 4, 4 _a_, 4 _b_
1787. _Stemonitis fusca_ Roth, _Roem. Mag. Bot._, I., p. 26.
1875. _Stemonitis fusca_ (Roth) Rost., _Mon._, p. 193.
1892. _Stemonitis fusca_ Rost., Massee, _Mon._, p. 72.
1895. _Stemonitis fusca_ Roth, List., _Mycetozoa_, p. 110.
1899. _Stemonitis fusca_ (Roth) Rost., Macbr., _N. A. S._, p. 115.
1899. _Stemonitis maxima_ Schw., Macbr., _N. A. S._, p. 116.
Sporangia tufted, generally in small clusters 6-8 mm., the individual
sporangia slender, cylindric, blue-black or fuscous, becoming pallid as
the spores are lost, stipitate; stipe short, about one-fourth the total
height, black, shining; hypothallus scanty, but common to all the
sporangia; columella prominent, attaining almost the apex of the
sporangium, freely branching to support the capillitial net; capillitium
of slender dusky threads, which freely anastomose to form a dense
interior network, and outwardly at length combine to form a
close-meshed net; spores pale, dusky violet, usually beautifully
spinulose-reticulate, but sometimes warted or spinulose only, or nearly
smooth, 7-7.5 mu.
As here set out the description is intended to include _S. maxima_ Schw.
of the former edition. Rostafinski, Mon. _l. c._, describes _S. fusca_
Roth. as having "spores smooth." Since most American gatherings have
reticulated spores, and since Schweinitz described a black American
species, his specific name seemed appropriate for all except
smooth-spored forms.
In the meantime two things have happened; Mr. Lister has examined the
specimens remaining in the Strasburg herbarium and finds them with
reticulate spores. The statement quoted from the _Monograph_ evidently
does not apply to _all_ of Rostafinski's material; but under the
circumstances the name _fusca_ may easily take the field, especially
since another discovery makes for the same conclusion. The evidence is
good that _S. maxima_ Schw. was indeed the largest, i. e. perhaps, the
_tallest_ stemonitis he ever saw! probably, as his scanty
herbarium-remnant shows, _S. fenestrata_ Rex!
4. STEMONITIS UVIFERA _n. s._
PLATE XX., Figs. 8, 8 _a_, 8 _b_, 8 _c_.
Sporangia tufted, generally in medium-sized clusters much as in _S.
fusca_. The individual sporangium 7-9 mm. high, dark, slender, brown,
becoming dull black or pallid as the spores are lost, stipitate, the
stipe about one-fourth to one-third the total height, black polished
shining; hypothallus distinct, common to all sporangia, purple-brown,
shining; columella distinct, attaining almost the summit of the
sporangium but inclined to waver a little at last, in other words,
flexuose toward the top, freely branching, the branches rather stout,
anastomosing to support the capillitial net; the meshes larger, several
times the spore-diameter, the spores sooty-brown, distinctly warted or
spinulescent, about 7-8 mu, clustered in groups of four or more.
Mt. Rainier, Washington,--1914.
5. STEMONITIS DICTYOSPORA _Rost._
1873. _Stemonitis dictyospora_ Rost., _Mon._, p. 195; _Myc. Fen._,
pp. 114, 122.
1879. _Stemonitis dictyospora_ Rost., Mass., _Mon._, p. 83(?).
1888. _Stemonitis dictyospora_ Rost., _Sacc. Syl. Fung._, Vol. VII.,
p. 397.
1893. _Stemonitis castillensis_ Macbr., _Nat. Hist. Bull._, Vol. 11,
p. 381.
PLATE X., Figs. 5, 5 _a_, 5 _b_.
Sporangia crowded in colonies of unusual size, 4-8 cm., tall, rigid
18-25 mm., slender, erect, stipitate, black throughout; the columella
prominent, reaching nearly to the apex, abundantly branched, the
branches forming an intricate dark brown capillitium; the net
large-meshed several times the spore-diameter; the spores reticulate,
spinulose, clear violet, 7-8 mu.
We here recover as is believed one of Rostafinski's best-described
species. Our material is from Nicaragua, by kindness of Professor
Shimek. Its relationship is with _S. fusca_ where Rostafinski placed it.
The phrase describing spore-color is his.
6. STEMONITIS NIGRESCENS _Rex._
1891. _Stemonitis nigrescens_ Rex, _Proc. Phil. Acad._, p. 392.
1911. _Stemonitis fusca_ Roth, Lister, _Mycetozoa, 2nd ed._, p. 143.
Sporangia gregarious, upon a common hypothallus, erect, small,
cylindric, stipitate; stipe black, extremely short, about half a
millimetre; columella reaching the apex; capillitium violet-black,
darker near the surface, forming a complete superficial net at the lower
part of the sporangium only, elsewhere irregular or vanishing;
spore-mass nearly black; single spores violet-black under the lens, the
epispore spinulose and reticulate, about 8 mu.
The author of this species remarks: "This species is noteworthy for its
comparatively short stipes, its very spinulose spores, and its black or
nearly black color, the slight violet tint being only apparent on close
inspection, especially in fresh moist specimens."
It is a small but very beautiful form, at first sight to be mistaken for
a short _S. fusca_, though much more intensely black. The capillitium is
concolorous, the inner network of rather few open meshes, the outer of
large hexagonal openings, the arcuate threads of which are remarkable
for the size, and especially the number, of the peridial processes, as
many as five or six sometimes appearing along one side of a single mesh.
The stipe is very short, and the columella runs as a straight, gradually
diminishing axis to the very apex of the sporangium. Total height 3-5
mm.
The English _Monograph_ includes this with _S. fusca_; but it seems
quite distinct in size, habit, color, etc., and has been found in the
mountainous regions of Virginia and North Carolina, as well as about
Philadelphia.
7. STEMONITIS VIRGINIENSIS _Rex._
1891. _Stemonitis virginiensis_ Rex, _Proc. Phil. Acad._, p. 391.
1899. _Stemonitis virginiensis_ Rex, Macbr., _N. A. S._, p. 130.
1911. _Comatricha typhoides_ Rost., List., _Mycetozoa, 2nd ed._,
p. 158.
Sporangia erect, gregarious, from a common hypothallus, generally
clustered, cylindric or elongate-ovate, stipitate; stipe black, shining;
columella reaching the apex, where it blends with the capillitium;
capillitium delicate, the meshes of the net small, scarcely greater than
the diameter of the spores; spore-mass umber brown; epispores
reticulated, with ten or twelve meshes to the hemisphere, 5-7 mu.
This is a beautiful, and, as it seems to us, a very distinct, species.
The markings on the epispore are sufficient to identify it. These are
conspicuously banded somewhat as the spores of _Trichia favoginea_, for
example. In habit, size of the sporangia, and capillitial branching,
this species recalls _Comatricha typhoides_ (Bull.) Rost. All the
sporangia examined are, however, plainly stemonitis in type, possessing
the characteristic superficial net.
Until further light this may stand as offered in the first edition. Miss
Lister prefers to enter it, banded spores and all, with the comatrichas,
on account of color, size and occasional default (?) of surface net.
Virginia, _Dr. Rex._
8. STEMONITIS WEBBERI _Rex._
PLATE XI., Figs. 6, 7, 8.
1891. _Stemonitis webberi_ Rex, _Proc. Phil. Acad._, p. 390.
Sporangia clustered, usually in small tufts 1 cm. wide, rusty brown in
color, 8-10 mm., including the stipe, which is jet black, shining, and
much expanded at the base; hypothallus continuous, well-developed, a
thin, transparent pellicle; columella black, tapering upward, giving off
at intervals the capillitial branches, and becoming dissipated just
below the obtuse apex; inner capillitial network very open, the branches
far apart, anastomosing but a few times before breaking into the surface
net to form large, irregular meshes, 50-125 mu; spores minutely
roughened, fuscous, 8-9 mu.
These three forms, 8, 9, 10, are sometimes entered as varieties of a
single species. Dr. Rex himself was inclined to take that view. There is
no doubt of close similarity; it is a question of clearness in our
dealing with the subject.
All three forms occur abundantly in the Mississippi Valley, but are
generally,--always, as it seems to the writer,--distinguishable by the
hand-lens. If we take No. 9 as type, 10 has an eccentric columella; 8 is
shorter, about 1 cm., of a different tint, Dr. Rex even says "spores
ferruginous in mass". To the west and southwest, the capillitium becomes
coarser, more decidedly brown. In short, however similar in presentation
the phases may sometimes appear, it would seem that each at its best is
distinct enough for immediate recognition.
West of the Mississippi River chiefly: Iowa, South Dakota, Nebraska,
Kansas, Oklahoma, New Mexico, etc.
9. STEMONITIS SPLENDENS _Rost._
PLATE VI., Figs. 6, 6 _a_, 6 _c_, 7, 7 _a_.
1875. _Stemonitis splendens_ Rost., _Mon._, p. 195.
1880. _Stemonitis morgani_ Peck, _Bot. Gaz._, V., p. 33.
1893. _Stemonitis splendens_ Rost., Macbr., _Bull. Lab. Nat. Hist._,
Vol. II, p. 381.
1894. _Stemonitis splendens_ Rost., List., _Mycetozoa_, p. 112, in
part.
1899. _Stemonitis morgani_ Peck, Macbr., _N. A. S._, p. 118.
1911. _Stemonitis splendens_ Rost., List., _Mycetozoa, 2nd ed._,
p. 145.
Sporangia clustered irregularly, sometimes forming patches 6-10
centimetres or more in extent, rich purple-brown in mass, cylindric,
long, 15-18 mm., stipitate; stipe black, polished, shining, rising from
a common hypothallus, which extends as a thin silvery film beneath the
entire colony, but does not usually transcend its limits; columella
black, percurrent, sparingly branched; capillitium of fuscous threads,
within forming a network very open, the branches scarcely anastomosing
until they reach the surface where they form the usual net of small
meshes, pretty uniform in size, and presenting very few small,
inconspicuous peridial processes; spores brown, very minutely warted,
about 8 mu.
This elegant species occurs not rarely on rotten wood, usually in
protected situations, although sometimes on the exposed surfaces of its
habitat. The sporangia attain with us unusual height, sometimes 2 cm.;
plasmodia, 6-8 cm., in diameter. The clear brown tufts appear in the
autumn, marvels of graceful elegance and beauty; at sight easily
recognizable by the large size and rich color. In Iowa it is almost
universally present on fallen stems of _Acer saccharinum_ Linn., and it
appears to be widely distributed, by far the most beautiful of all this
beautiful series.
New England to Iowa, South Dakota, Washington, and British Columbia.
Professor Shimek brings a _dusky_ phase from Nicaragua!--the type?
The plasmodium is white on maple stems, more creamy on stems of linden,
on which wood it is more rarely found: occasionally on ash-stumps; even
on the fallen bark of trees preferred.
In 1875 in his famous _Monograph_, Rostafinski set out three species
with "dusky violet spores". These are his Nos. 94, 95 and 96.
The first one of these he calls _S. fusca_, "spore-mass, etc.,
violet-black, individual spore clear violet, smooth, 7-9 u."
The second species he writes down _S. dictyospora_, "hypothallus, stalk,
columella, capillitium and spore-mass, violet-black, spore netted and
fringed, clear-violet, 7-9 mu."
The third species is _S. splendens_, "hypothallus stalk, columella and
spore-mass violet-black, spore smooth, clear-violet, 7-8 mu."
It will be observed that in color down to color of the spore by
transmitted light, the three species are exactly the same; constitute a
suite, so to say. It has since turned out, as noted under our No. 3,
that the spores of _S. fusca_ are netted. Error in description here is
not surprising; the reticulations are sometimes faint. In _S.
dictyospora_ they are admittedly strong, and the inference was that the
'_gladkie_' spores of the third species might be netted also. This is no
criticism: lenses were fifty years since not nearly so good for such
discoveries as the oil-immersion is now.
However; Rostafinski made his specific diagnosis turn largely upon the
mesh-width in the superficial net. This comes out in the '_opis_'
following the description, and upon _this_ the European decision in
Rostafinski's favor as against _S. morgani_ largely turns. Tropical
gatherings are probably always darker, and evidently from such, from the
north coast of South America, the original description was drawn.
Specimens before us from the same latitude are dusky indeed; no clear
brown at all, but purplish withal.
For the sake of harmony we may therefore now substitute the earlier name
"with reservations"! but our description remains as before, presenting
the really splendid, shining things that adorn our northern fields. Dr.
Rostafinski called the large open meshes of the net '_oka_', eyes;
_lumina_ let us say! quite uniform they are in 9 and 10, much less so in
8.
10. STEMONITIS FENESTRATA _Rex._
1890. _Stemonitis splendens_ R. _f. fenestrata_ Rex, _Proc. Phil.
Acad._, p. 36.
Sporangia aggregated, in tufts 2 cm. or more in diameter, rich purple
brown, on a common hypothallus, more or less erect, stipitate, tall,
about 2 cm., slender, triangular in section; stipe black, about
one-third the total height, passing into a slender columella which is
lateral in position, not central, but little branched, continued almost
to the apex; the capillitium consisting almost entirely of the
peripheral net, which presents meshes of unusual uniformity of size and
shape; spores in mass brown, colorless by transmitted light, nearly
smooth, 6-7.5 mu.
The remarkable shape of the sporangium and the peculiar regularity of
the surface net, the lateral columella, all combine here to warrant the
erection of a distinct species. Dr. Rex referred this to _S. baeuerlinii_
Mass. At that time he had not the author's description, and had seen
only a very poor fragment received with notes in a letter. Mr. Massee's
description makes it immediately evident that whatever other
affiliations _S. baeuerlinii_ may have, by description it has at least
none with _S. fenestrata_ nor with our northern form of _S. splendens_.
Massee's species is described as having the "mass of spores black", the
capillitium with "branches springing from the columella; the main
branches more and more numerous, thicker and irregular towards the apex
of the sporangium, and often form irregular flattened expansions":--etc.
This suggests some form of _S. dictyospora_ Rost.: see under our No. 5.
Possibly for such reasons Lister referred it to _S. splendens_ Rost.,
which as we have just seen, was undoubtedly regarded by the author as a
form of the _fuscous_ group.
The long, slender, simple columella is not only lateral, but occupies
indeed the sharp vertical angle of the triangular, prismatic sporangium.
Furthermore, the sporangium is at maturity strangely twisted, so that
the columella in its ascent accomplishes one or more spiral turns. In
forms collected by Dr. Rex, which seemed to him most nearly to agree
with Massee's species, the inner capillitium is somewhat abundant, but
the character of the columella just the same.
Pennsylvania, Ohio, Kansas, Colorado, Iowa; India!
11. STEMONITIS SMITHII _Macbr._
1893. _Stemonitis smithii_ Macbr., _Bull. Lab. Nat. Hist. Ia._, II.,
p. 381.
1894. _Stemonitis microspora_ List., Morg., _Jour. Cin. Soc._, p. 54.
1911. _Stemonitis ferruginea_ var. _smithii_ Lister, _Mycetozoa,
2nd ed._, p. 150.
Sporangia in small clusters, close-packed and erect, not spreading,
bright ferruginous prior to spore dispersal, cylindric, stipitate, of
varying height; stipe jet-black, shining, about one-third the total
height; hypothallus generally well developed; columella black, gradually
tapering, at length dissolving in capillitial threads and net some
distance below the diminished plumose apex; capillitium of fuscous
threads, the inner network of abundant, sparingly united branches
uniformly thickened, the surface net very delicate, composed of small,
regular, polygonal meshes, the peridial processes few; spore-mass bright
ferruginous, spores by transmitted light pale, almost colorless, smooth,
4-5 mu.
The species as thus constituted includes forms varying in size from
2.5-3 mm. only. The common form heretofore known everywhere in America
as _S. ferruginea_ is from 10-15 mm. high. The _type_ to which the
specific name _S. smithii_ was originally applied is 2.5 mm. high and
rejoices in smooth, almost colorless spores, 4-5 mu.
The plasmodium in the case of the species now considered is as concerns
the _type_, of course, unknown. In one or two gatherings referred here
the color of the plasmodium was noted greenish-yellow. This has the look
of _S. flavogenita_; but small spores and delicate make-up take it the
other way. Miss Lister makes it varietal to No. 12, next following.
12. STEMONITIS AXIFERA (_Bull._) _Macbr._
PLATE VI., 5, 5 _a_, and 5 _b_.
1791. _Trichia axifera ferruginea_ Bull., _Champ. de la Fr._, p. 118,
tab. 477.
1818. _Stemonitis ferruginea_ Ehr., _Syl. Myc. Berol._, p. 20;
et auct. Europ. ex parte; Americ., non.
1894. _Stemonitis ferruginea_ Ehr., List., _Mycetozoa_, p. 115,
in part.
1899. _Stemonitis axifera_ (Bull.) Macbr., _N. A. S._, p. 120,
in part.
1911. _Stemonitis ferruginea_ Ehr., Lister, _Mycetozoa, 2nd ed._
Sporangia terete, acuminate, fasciculate small in dense clusters,
distinctly ferruginous in color, stipitate, from 10-15 mm. in height;
the stipe black one-third to one-half the total height, not shining or
polished; columella evenly branching, dissipated before reaching the
acuminate apex; capillitium-branches clear brown anastomosing and
dividing more or less to bear the superficial fine-meshed net; spores
pallid, faintly ferruginous, smooth or nearly so, 5-6 mu.
This would seem to be the common _ferruginous_ species of the world.
Doubtless Micheli had the thing before him when he drew Tab. 94,
_clathroidastrum_, Hoffman and Jacquin seem to have recognized the form.
To be sure, under the present plasmodic limitations we cannot be quite
certain about these references. Not until 1791 does anyone write down a
particular species as marked by a white plasmodium, and distinguish it
from other similar fructifications having similar origin. Bulliard, _l.
c._, does this, discriminating between _T. axifera ferruginea_ and _C.
typhoides_; see under the last-named species. Youthful Ehrenberg, in his
doctor's thesis, nearly thirty years later, draws a similar parallel but
ignores the great French author, writing _S. ferruginea_ Ehr. as though
the thing had never been seen before! By this name it has been called
until very lately; Fries accepting it, but noting that the plasmodium,
for him at least, was _yellow_!
In 1904 Dr. E. Jahn, following Fries' suggestion, established the fact
that Ehrenberg's white-plasmodic species had small spores, that Fries
had in mind a form with larger spores, having indeed yellow plasmodium;
but see number 13 below.
It is for the present assumed that the plasmodium of our American _S.
axifera_ is white. So far, there are few or no observations which
establish the fact. The color, the small smooth spores, the fine-meshed
capillitial net and the general dimensions determine the reference.
13. STEMONITIS FLAVOGENITA _Jahn._
PLATE XX., Figs. 10, 10 _a_, 10 _b_.
1829. _Stemonitis ferruginea_ Ehr., Fries, _Myc._ III., p. 158,
Syn. excl.
1899. _Stemonitis axifera_ (Bull.) Macbr., _N. A. S._, p. 120,
in part.
1904. _Stemonitis flavogenita_ Jahn, _Abh. Bot. Ver. Brandenb._,
XLV, p. 265.
1911. _Stemonitis flavogenita_ Jahn, List., _Mycetozoa, 2nd ed._,
p. 149.
Sporangia cylindric, obtuse, closely fasciculate, "cinnamon brown,"
stipitate, 5-7 mu; stipe short, black, columella ceasing abruptly below
the apex; capillitium a loose net-work with many broad expansions; the
peridial net very delicate, the meshes small but uneven, 6-15 mu, with
many projecting points; spores pale ferruginous, verruculose, 7-9 mu.
This is _S. ferruginea_ Ehr. of Fries with its plasmodium yellow. Fries
says "flavicat," _becomes_ yellow, if one may follow the analogy of
corresponding Latin verbs of color, so that the record of color-changes
in the present species is yet to be recorded.
Until further experience may advise to the contrary, we may assume that
all stemonites cinnamon-brown in color, with widened columella-tip, and
pale yellowish spores 7-9 mu in diameter, have at some time in their
history a yellow plasmodium, and accordingly represent in America the
new-found species.
The larger spores, and, the strange proliferate development of the
columella-tip, to which Miss Lister has happily called attention,
constitute the essential diagnostic features here.
Our only specimens so far are from Oregon.
14. STEMONITIS PALLIDA _Wingate._
PLATE XIII., Fig. 3
1897. _Stemonitis pallida_ Wing., _N. A. F._, Ell. and Ev., No. 3498.
1899. _Stemonitis pallida_ Wing., Macbr., _N. A. S._, p. 123.
1911. _Stemonitis pallida_ Wing., List., _Mycetozoa, 2nd ed._, p. 149.
Sporangia gregarious, or somewhat clustered, erect, cylindric obtuse,
short, blackish brown, rubescent, becoming pallid, stipitate; stipe
short, black, polished, rising from a thin, brown, or iridescent
hypothallus; columella percurrent, ceasing abruptly at the apex;
capillitium filling the interior with abundant branches which form at
the surface a close-meshed net, little developed above, making the apex
very blunt; spores in mass, dark brown, by transmitted light dusky,
nearly smooth, 7.5 mu.
This species is well recognized at sight, among the fuscous forms, by
its scattered, erect habit. In color it is not unlike _S. fusca_, but
has an added reddish tinge. In form it is peculiar by virtue of the
blunt rounded apex which seems to be a constant character. The spores
under moderate lens are perfectly smooth, under the 1-12 they present
very delicate low scattered papillae.
Rare; eastern part of United States.
15. STEMONITIS CAROLINENSIS _Macbr._
PLATE XIII., Fig. 5.
1894. _Stemonitis tenerrima_ Berk. & C., Morg., _Jour. Cin. Soc._,
p. 53.
1899. _Stemonitis carolinensis_ Macbr., _nom. nov._, _N. A. S._,
p. 152.
1911. _Stemonitis pallida_ Wing., Lister, _Mycetozoa, 2nd ed._,
p. 149.
Sporangia tufted in scattered clusters, small, slender, cylindric but
tapering from the apex, at first ferruginous then ashen or purplish,
stipitate; the stipe short, black and shining, one-fourth the total
height or less, even; hypothallus well developed, black or very dark
brown; columella black, gradually diminishing, at length dissipated some
distance below the clavate or acuminate apex of the sporangium;
capillitium dense, the inner of many, scarcely expanded, pallid, freely
anastomosing branches, the outer a net of very small meshes, often less
than the spores, 3-15 mu, peridial processes imperceptible; spore-mass
pale ferruginous, spores by transmitted light pale violaceous brown,
smooth, 6-7 mu.
Very closely related to the preceding, but recognizable by its
proportionately much more slender, taller, acuminate sporangia, paler,
and denser capillitium and the remarkably close-meshed net.
Not uncommon south: Kentucky, Alabama.
16. STEMONITIS HERBATICA Pk.
PLATE XVI., Figs. 14, 14 _a_, 14 _b_.
1874. _Stemonitis herbatica_ Peck, _Rep. N. Y. Mus._, XXVI., p. 75.
1899. _Stemonitis axifera_ (Bull.) Macbr., _N. A. S._, p. 120,
in part.
1911. _Stemonitis herbatica_ Pk., Lister, _Mycetozoa_, p. 148.
Sporangia clustered, in scattered tufts, cylindric, obtuse, pallid
ferruginous, stipitate or sometimes nearly sessile; stipe fuscous or
jet-black, only slightly expanded below, much shorter than the
columella; hypothallus scanty or none; columella lessening upward,
sometimes attaining the apex of the sporangium, sometimes dissolved in
capillitial threads some distance below; capillitium of rich brown
threads forming the usual inner network of medium density, with many
wide expanded nodes, the surface net made up of delicate, almost
colorless threads surrounding small polygonal meshes; spore-mass
ferruginous, spores by transmitted light very pale, brownish, minutely
warted, 7-9 mu.
The plasmodium of this species is variously cited from white to yellow.
Probably each report is true, dependent on the relative time of the
observation.
The low tufts of brown sporangia with short black stipes, borne often as
Dr. Peck found them, assembled on living leaves, distinguish this little
species. In the former edition this form was tentatively enrolled under
_S. axifera_ (Bull.); but see further under that species.
Probably widely distributed, but confused with short forms of other
species; sometimes also on rotten wood or other substratum; so reported.
New York to Iowa; Washington and Oregon. Reported also from Europe.
=3. Comatricha= (_Preuss_) _Rost._
1851. _Comatricha Preuss_, _Linnaea_, XXIV., p. 140.
1873. _Comatricha_ Rostafinski, _Versuch_, p. 7.
Sporangia cylindric or globose, stipitate; stipe prolonged upward to
form a more or less extended and tapering columella bearing branches on
every side, which by repeated divisions and reunions form the
capillitium; ultimate branch-tips free, not supporting a surface net
parallel to the peridial wall; peridium evanescent, perhaps sometimes
not developed at all.
The genus _Comatricha_ was set off from _Stemonitis_ by the joint effort
of Preuss (1851) and Rostafinski (1873-5). Preuss included in his genus,
_Comatricha_, alien forms, and besides failed to give an accurate
definition; included, however, in his list some species which have since
been known by his generic name.
The distinction between the two genera is almost an artificial one, and
species are sometimes arbitrarily assigned to one genus or the other.
The diagnosis in any case turns upon the presence or absence of a
surface net, formed, in _Stemonitis_, by the anastomosing of the
ultimate divisions of the capillitial branches. In _Comatricha_ the
anastomosing is general, from the columella out, and is not specialized
at the surface.
Recent attempts to reunite the genera here compared seem to result in no
apparent advantage. The genera come very near together, but their
separation along the line suggested by Rostafinski remains convenient.
=Key to the Species of Comatricha=
_A._ Sporangia closely clustered.
_a._ Obovate or short cylindric.
1. Spores verruculose 1. _C. caespitosa_
2. Spores reticulate 2. _C. cylindrica_
_b._ Elongate, reddish-brown, tufts extended 3. _C. flaccida_
_B._ Sporangia scattered more or less widely.
_a._ Capillitium lax, open.
i. Sporangia long, 10-12 mm. 4. _C. longa_
ii. Sporangia shorter, capillitium
irregular 5. _C. irregularis_
_b._ Capillitium dense.
i. Sporangia large, to 10 mm., spore-mass
black 7. _C. suksdorfii_
ii. Sporangia smaller--6 mm.
O Spore-mass brown, spherical,
conoidal, etc., generally with
more or less lengthened stipe 8. _C. nigra_
OO Spore-mass violaceous or purplish 9. _C. aequalis_
iii. Sporangia ovate or cylindric, minute,
to 3.5 mm.
O Cylindric, spore with few,
scattered warts 10. _C. typhoides_
OO Smaller, capillitium irregular,
loose 6. _C. laxa_
OOO Total height to 2 mm. or much less.
+ Columella digitately divided 11. _C. elegans_
++ Columella lamprodermoid, and on
leaves 12. _C. rubens_
+++ Columella stemonitoid 13. _C. pulchella_
++++ Columella furcate at tip 14. _C. ellisii_
+++++ Columella almost percurrent. 15. _C. subcaespitosa_
1. COMATRICHA CAESPITOSA _Sturgis._
PLATE XI., Figs. 12, 13, 14.
1893. _Comatricha caespitosa_ Sturg., _Bot. Gaz._, XVIII., p. 186.
1894. _Diachaea thomasii_ Rex, var., List., _Mycetozoa_, p. 92.
1899. _Comatricha caespitosa_ Sturg., Macbr., _N. A. S._, p. 124.
1911. _Diachaea caespitosa_ Lister, _Mycetozoa, 2nd ed._, p. 121.
Sporangia densely crowded or cespitose, sub-sessile or short stipitate,
clavate, 1-1.5 mm. high, the peridium gray, iridescent with blue tints,
comparatively permanent but finally disappearing; columella attaining
two-thirds to three-fourths the height of the sporangium, giving rise
throughout its length to the dense blackish capillitium; hypothallus
delicate, inconspicuous; capillitium, the main branches thick at the
point of origin, frequently anastomosing, and becoming gradually thinner
toward the surface of the sporangium, the tips pointed, free, forming
the network; spores blackish-violet in mass, by transmitted light pale
brownish-violet, rough, 9.5-13 mu.
A very distinct and curious species. The sporangia are densely crowded,
though by the nature of habitat somewhat tufted. The shape of the
individual sporangium is quite uniformly clavate or obovate, decidedly
truncate above. The spores are uniformly verruculose and plainly
unequal.
This species, as indicated, was by its author described as a comatricha.
To transfer it to another genus seems idle, especially when long
established generic boundaries must be seriously disturbed expressly to
admit the new arrival.
New England, North Carolina, on moss and lichens.--_Dr. Sturgis._
2. COMATRICHA CYLINDRICA (_Bilgram_) _Macbr._
1905. _Diachaea cylindrica_ Bilgram, _Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. Philad._,
524.
1911. _Diachaea cylindrica_ Bilgram, List., _Mycetozoa, 2nd ed._,
p. 121.
Sporangia cylindrical with obtuse apex, sessile, gregarious,
iridescent, steel-gray or bronze, 1 to 1.7 mm. high, .5 to .65 mm.
thick; hypothallus whitish, rugose; sporangium-wall membranous, hyaline,
not adhering to the capillitium; columella arising from the hypothallus
and extending nearly to the apex, brown, very light and semi-translucent
near the base, irregular, flexuous, limeless throughout; capillitium
brown, radiating from the columella to the periphery, repeatedly
branching and anastomosing; spores warted, the warts connected by ridges
forming a more or less perfect, coarse reticulation, violaceous, pale,
10-12 mu.
This is a very interesting species closely related to the preceding from
which it differs chiefly in the reticulation and generally more uniform
character of the spores. The author hesitated about the generic
reference, finally referring it to _Diachaea_ despite the lack of
calcium, because it was sessile and had a peridium rather more
persistent than is usual in comatrichas. But the presence of lime in
stipe and columella is an essential element in the diagnosis of
_Diachaea_, while length of stem is everywhere variable in stipitate
forms of every genus, and the persistence of the peridium is also an
uncertain factor; hangs on long in _C. typhoides_, _e. g._
On dead twigs, etc.--Philadelphia,--_Mr. Bilgram_; New Hampshire.
3. COMATRICHA FLACCIDA _List._
1894. _Comatricha flaccida_ List., Morg., _Jour. Cin. Soc._, p. 51.
1894. _Stemonitis splendens_, var. _flaccida_ List., _Mycetozoa_,
p. 112.
1894. _Comatricha flaccida_ (List.) Morg., Macbr., _N. A. S._, p. 133.
1911. _Stemonitis splendens_, var. _flaccida_ List., _Mycetozoa,
2nd ed._, p. 146.
Sporangia semi-erect, close crowded in tufts two inches in diameter,
ferruginous, from a dark brown hypothallus, sessile or short stipitate;
columella weak, crooked, percurrent, generally enlarged irregularly at
the apex; capillitium of few, slender, brown branches which anastomose
sparsely and irregularly as in _C. irregularis_, and present when freed
from spores the same chenille-like appearance; spore-mass ferruginous
brown; spores by transmitted light bright reddish brown, minutely
warted, 8-10 mu.
"Growing on old wood and bark of Oak, Willow, etc. The component
sporangia 5-10 mm. in length. The early appearance is much like that of
a species of _Stemonitis_, but the mature stage is a great mass of
spores with scanty capillitium, as in _Reticularia_; the columellas,
however, are genuine and not adjacent portions of wall grown
together."--_Professor Morgan._
Professor Morgan's herbarium material is at hand for study. It meets his
description, needless to say, very generally. In what remains of the
type the membranous connections are obscure; in fact the relation of
such peridial (?) fragments to the capillitium in any way, is no longer
evident. But in any event the colony does not impress one as something
prematurely or improperly developed, a stemonitis gone begging;--nothing
of that kind; it is clearly a comatricha, easily identifiable with no
trace of a surface net but, with long free tips in plenty.
Misled no doubt, by the peridial fragments referred to, Mr. Lister in
_Mycetozoa, l. c._, associated this with _S. confluens_ Cke. & Ell., but
entered it as a variety of _S. splendens_ Rost., just the same. In the
second edition of the _Monograph_, Ellis' species is set out, but
Morgan's retains the old position.
In light of present knowledge, the relationship suggested would be
difficult of proof. If _C. flaccida_ Morgan be related to the
_splendens_ group at all, it must be with the form known as _S. webberi_
Rex., but it differs from this in almost every particular. It has no
net, with meshes uniform or diverse; it is clear brown in color, with a
tinge of red, beneath the lens; the spores are smaller, distinctly
warted and with the reddish tinge of the capillitium; and in short, it
seems to be a comatricha and not a stemonitis.
Specimens from western Washington differ in some particulars but are
apparently the same thing.
Ohio, Kentucky, Washington, California; not common.
4. COMATRICHA LONGA _Peck._
PLATE VI., Figs. 2, 2 _a_, 2 _b_.
1890. _Comatricha longa_ Peck, _Rep. N. Y. Mus._, XLIII., p. 24.
Sporangia crowded in depressed masses or tufts, black, long, cylindric,
even, stipitate; stipe black, shining, generally very short;
hypothallus well developed, black; columella black, slender, weak,
generally dissipated some distance below the apex; capillitium of
slender brown or dusky threads anastomosing to form an open network next
the columella, but extended outwardly in form of long free slender
branchlets, now and then dichotomously forked; spore-mass blue-black,
spores by transmitted light dark brown, globose, spinulose, some of them
faintly reticulate, about 9 mu.
A very remarkable species. Rare in the west, more common, as it appears,
in the eastern states. The sporangia occur in tufts about 1 or 2 cm.
wide, springing generally from crevices in the bark of decaying logs,
especially willow and elm, in swampy places. The sporangia are
remarkable for their great length. Generally about 20-25 mm., specimens
occasionally reach 50 mm.! The capillitial branches are so remote that
the spores are scarcely retained by the capillitium at all. Well
described and figured by the author of the species, _Forty-third Rep. N.
Y. State Museum_, p. 24, Pl. 3.
New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Iowa.
5. COMATRICHA IRREGULARIS _Rex._
1891. _Comatricha irregularis_ Rex, _Proc. Phil. Acad._, p. 393.
Sporangia crowded in flocculent tufts, very dark brown or black,
semi-erect or drooping, 4-5 mm. in height, irregularly cylindric,
variable, stipitate; stipe black, distinct, often one-half the total
height; hypothallus well developed, brown, shining; columella central,
slender, flexuous, reaching the apex, where it blends, by branching,
with the capillitium; capillitium loose, open, composed of arcuate
threads which radiate from the columella, and are joined together,
forming a central, irregular reticulation of large meshes, brown, paler
toward the surface, where the free ends are sometimes colorless;
spore-mass black, spores by transmitted light brown, minutely warted,
7-8 mu.
Related, no doubt, to _C. longa_, but differing in habit, stature, as in
texture and structure of the capillitium. In _C. longa_ the inner net is
extremely simple,--a row or two of meshes at most, and the radiating
branches are long and straight; in the species before us the inner
network is well developed, and the radiating branches proportionately
shorter and abundantly branching, with pale or white free tips.
Generally, though not always, found growing in the crevices of the bark
on fallen logs of various deciduous trees. September. Not common.
This is thought to be _C. crypta_ Schw., _N. A. F._, 2351; but the
description under that number does not make clear what form Schweinitz
had before him, the present species or _C. longa_, and the herbarium
specimen of Schweinitz is "utterly lost"; the later specific name is
accordingly adopted.
New England west to the Cascade Mountains; south to Kansas and Texas.
6. COMATRICHA LAXA _Rostafinski._
PLATE V., Figs. 5, 5 _a_.
1875. _Comatricha laxa_ Rost., _Mon._, p. 201.
1877. _Lamproderma ellisiana_ Cooke, _Myx. U. S._, p. 397.
1891. _Comatricha ellisiana_ (Cooke) Ell. & Ev., _N. A. F._, 2696.
Sporangia scattered, gregarious, sub-globose or short cylindric, and
obtuse, dusky stipitate; stipe short, black, tapering rapidly upward
from an expanded base; hypothallus scant or none; columella erect,
rigid, sometimes reaching nearly to the apex of the sporangium,
sometimes dichotomously branched a little below the summit, before
blending into the common capillitium; capillitium lax, of slender,
horizontal branches, anastomosing at infrequent intervals and ending in
short, free tips; spores pallid, nearly smooth, 7-9.5 mu.
A very minute, delicate little species, about 1-1/2 mm. high; the stipe
half the total height. In general appearance the shorter forms of the
species resemble slightly _C. nigra_, but are distinguished by a much
shorter stipe and much more open capillitium. The sporangia of _C.
nigra_ mounted on long capillary stipes always droops more or less; the
sporangia of the present species stand rigidly erect. The sporangia vary
in form and in the branching of the columella. In the more globose
phases, the columella almost always shows a peculiar dichotomy near the
apex; in the cylindric types, this peculiar division fails.[36] In fact,
the shape is determined chiefly by the mode of branching as affects the
columella. Rostafinski's figure, on Tab. XIII, does not present the
type usually seen in this country, nor even in Europe if we may judge
from later illustrations.
The species with us has received various names, but so far as can be
determined, all apply to the same thing, and comparison of specimens
from Mr. Ellis with those from Europe show the correctness of the
nomenclature here adopted.
Rare, but widely distributed; across the continent.
7. STEMONITIS SUKSDORFII _Ell. & Everh._
PLATE XI., Figs. 9, 10, 11.
1882. _Stemonitis suksdorfii_ Ell. & Everh., _Bull. Washb. Coll._,
Vol. I., p. 5.
1892. _Stemonitis suksdorfii_ Ell. & Everh., Mass., _Mon._, p. 76.
Sporangia scattered in small tufts or gregarious, cylindric, obtuse at
both ends, sometimes widened above, black, 2-6 mm., stipitate; stipe
jet-black, shining, even, about one-half the total height; hypothallus
not continuous, dark brown; columella black, rather slender, terminating
in two or more large branches just below the apex; capillitium
exceedingly dense, dark fuscous or black, the flexuous threads
anastomosing in a close network, with abundant free pallid extremities;
spores in mass, blue-black, by transmitted light fuscous or dark
violaceous-brown, minutely warted, 10-12 mu.
Easily recognizable at sight by its sooty color. Entirely unlike any of
the preceding. The type of the capillitium is that of _C. pulchella_,
but it is very much more dense and entirely different in color. The
sporangia are often widened above, and fairly truncate; the total height
about 6 mm. Found on the bark of fallen twigs of _Abies, Larix_, etc.
Distributed by Ell. & Everh. under this name as an _exsiccata_. The
evanescent peridium is colorless; when free, white or silvery.
8. COMATRICHA NIGRA (_Pers._) _Schroeter._
PLATE XI., Figs. 1, 2, 3.
1791. _Stemonitis nigra_ Pers., Gmel., _Syst. Nat._, p. 1467.
1801. _Stemonitis ovata_, var. _nigra_ Pers., _Syn._, p. 189.
1863. _Stemonitis friesiana_ DeBy., _Rab. Eur. Fung._, No. 568.
1875. _Comatricha friesiana_ (DeBy.) Rost., _Mon._, p. 200.
1889. _Comatricha nigra_ (Pers.) Schroeter, _Pilz. Krypt. Fl.
v. Schles._, I., p. 118.
1894. _Comatricha obtusata_ Fr., Lister, _Mycetozoa_, p. 117.
1899. _Comatricha nigra_ (Pers.) Schroeter, Macbr., _N. A. S._,
p. 128.
Sporangia scattered, ferruginous or dark brown, globose or ovoid,
stipitate; stipe long, hair-like, tapering upward, black; hypothallus
none; columella rapidly diminished toward the top, at length dissipated;
capillitium of slender flexuous threads, radiating horizontally,
repeatedly branching and anastomosing to form an intricate dense
network, from the surface of which project a few short hook-like
peridial processes; spore-mass black, spores by transmitted light dark
violaceous, smooth or nearly so, 7-10 mu.
This species, when typical, is easily recognized by its almost globose
sporangia mounted on long slender stocks. These are 2 or 3 mm. high and
generally persist, as Persoon noticed, a long time after the sporangium
has fallen. The sporangia are at first black; after spore disposal pale
ferruginous. In shape they vary from ovate to spherical. Sometimes they
are umbilicate below, so that a vertical section would be obcordate.
Care must be taken to distinguish the present species from blown-out
forms of _Lamproderma_.
This most common species seems to be also the center of widest
differentiation. In a valuable paper on the Myxomycetes of Dr. C. H.
Peck's Herbarium Dr. Sturgis points out the varying relationships of a
group of surrounding forms. According to account _C. nigra_ verges on
one side to _C. laxa_, on the other to _aequalis_ which the Listers
enter as varietal here. However, in the former the more rigid, direct
and simple branching from the columella is usually determinative; in the
latter the color, form, and generally more delicate structure, and a
tendency to grow in tufts will serve to distinguish.
In this discussion we have assumed as typical the globose sporangium,
with the variations in the direction of ovate, obovate, ellipsoidal,
etc., the capillitium flexuous and more richly anastomosing near the
columella. On the drier slopes in the mountains of Colorado specimens
are especially abundant, in proper season covering apparently the lower
surface of every barkless twig or fallen stem or _tree entire_! In such
a field one might imagine every possible variation open to observation.
Probably such is the case; but as a matter of fact a single small
plasmodium at lower levels will sometimes show greater range of
variation than were noted on the mountain-side. The cylindric forms were
for some reason few, and when noted were short, though often surmounting
stems of double the usual length.
Rostafinski calls this _C. friesiana_, a name suggested by De Bary. By
this name the species was commonly known for many years. More recently
some writers prefer _C. obtusata_ Preuss; but _C. obtusata_ Preuss, as
figured by that author (Sturm's _Deutsch. Fl._, Pl. 70), is surely more
likely _Enerthenema papillata_, and the author says in his description
"capillitio vertice soli innato." Persoon certainly recognized the
species, and his description, though brief, is yet applicable to no
other European species. There seems no reason why the name he gave
should not be permanently adopted. Rostafinski's figure, Tab. XIII.,
shows an ellipsoidal sporangium, not cylindric.
On the lower levels of the Mississippi valley, the species is not
common. Possibly overlooked by reason of its minuteness.
Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Iowa, Colorado, North Carolina,
Missouri.
9. COMATRICHA AEQUALIS _Peck._
PLATE VI., Figs. 3, 3 _a_, 3 _b_, 3 _c_, 3 _d_; and PLATE XVIII., Figs.
13, 13 _a_, 13 _b_.
1890. _Comatricha equalis_ Peck., _Rep. N. Y. Mus._, XXXI., p. 42.
Sporangia gregarious, seldom erect, usually inclined, curved or nodding,
dark brown, becoming violet, cylindric, acuminate-obtuse, stipitate;
stipe about half the total height, 2-2-1/2 mm., black, polished, even;
hypothallus well developed, brown, continuous; columella black, tapering
gradually, and attaining almost the summit of the sporangium;
capillitium dense, of flexuous tawny threads which, by repeated
branching, form an intricate network, the free extremities numerous,
short, and pale; spores dark violaceous, distinctly warted, 7.5-8 mu.
A very graceful, elegant species, related to _C. pulchella_ and _C.
persoonii_, but distinct by its much greater size and smaller spores.
The specimens before show us the perfection of beauty in this genus;
the polished stipe, the symmetrical capillitium, the soft purple-brown
tints, are remarkable, and enable one to recognize the form at sight.
Specimens from Oregon are unusually fine; larger than usual, reach 7 mm.
total height, and when blown out present the tints of violet in unusual
clearness; var. _C. pacifica_. Plate XVIII., Figs. 13, 13_a_, and 13_b_.
New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Illinois; Oregon, _Professor Peck._
10. COMATRICHA TYPHOIDES (_Bull._) _Rost._
PLATE VI., Figs. 1, 1 _a_, 1 _b_.
1772. _Mucor stemonitis_ Scopoli, _Fl. Carn._, II., pp. 493-494 (?).
1774. _Mucor stemonitis_ Schaeffer, _Icones. Tab._, CCXCVII (?).
1780. _Stemonitis typhina_ Wiggers, _Prim. Fl. Hols._, p. 116 (?).
1791. _Trichia typhoides_ Bulliard, _Champ. de la France_, p. 119,
t. 477, II.
1796. _Stemonitis typhina_ Persoon, _Myc. Obs._, I., p. 57, in part.
1805. _Stemonitis typhoides_ (Bull.) D. C., _Fl. Fr._, p. 257.
1829. _Stemonitis typhoides_ (Bull.) Fr., _Syst. Myc._, III., p. 158.
1873. _Comatricha typhoides_ (Bull.) Rost., _Vers._, p. 7.
1875. _Comatricha typhina_ (Pers.) Rost., _Mon._, p. 197.
1895. _Comatricha stemonitis_ (Scop.) Sheldon, _Minn. Bot. Stud._,
p. 473.
1899. _Comatricha stemonitis_ (Scop.) Sheld., Macbr., _N. A. S._,
p. 130.
1911. _Comatricha typhoides_ Rost., List., _Mycetozoa, 2nd ed._,
p. 157.
Sporangia gregarious, scattered, cylindric, erect, sometimes arcuate,
obtuse, 2-3 mm. high, at first silvery, then brown, as the peridium
vanishes, stipitate; stipe black, about one-half the total height or
less; hypothallus distinct, more or less continuous, reddish-brown;
columella tapering upward, black, attaining more or less completely the
apex of the sporangium; capillitium, arising as rather stout branches of
the capillitium, soon taking the form of slender, flexuous, brownish
threads, which by repeated anastomosing form at length a close network,
almost as in _Stemonitis_, the free, ultimate branches very delicate and
short; spore-mass dark brown; spores by transmitted light, pale, almost
smooth, except for the presence of a few scattered but very prominent
umbo-like warts, of which four or five may be seen at one time, 5-7.5 mu.
This is our most common North American species. It occurs everywhere on
decaying wood, sometimes in remarkable quantity, thousands of sporangia
at a time. The plasmodium, watery white in color, infests preferably
very rotten logs of _Quercus_, on which in June the sporangia rise as
white or pallid columns. The peridium is exceedingly delicate, less
seldom seen here than in some other species, but likely to be overlooked
entirely. The spores when fresh have a distinct violet or bluish tinge;
in old specimens they are almost colorless. In any case they are well
marked by the large papillae already referred to.
_C. typhina_, var. _heterospora_ Rex, differs from the type in several
particulars: the sporangia manifest a closer habit; the capillitium is
made up of more slender threads and forms a yet denser network; the
spores between the large papillae are marked by a more or less perfectly
formed reticulation.[37]
As to nomenclature, this is our old friend _C. typhina_ (Pers.) Rost. It
should be, more properly, called _C. typhina_ Rost., for it is not
Persoon's species exactly. But Scopoli, _l. c._, by citing Hall,
Gleditsch, and Micheli, so describes our form as to leave small doubt
that he had before him our common species. Schaeffer's figures also come
to the rescue, which, though by no means satisfactory, yet can probably
refer to no other species. However, Bulliard gives the first good
account and figure, and in concord with the decision of our English
colleagues, the name afforded by the famous _Champignons_ is here
adopted.
Widely distributed. Maine to California, and from British America to
Nicaragua.
11. COMATRICHA ELEGANS (_Racib._) _List._
PLATE XVI., Fig. 12.
1884. _Rostafinskia elegans_ Racib., _Rozpr. Akad. Krak._, XII., 77.
1888. _Raciborskia elegans_ Berl., _Sacc. Syl._, VII., p. 400.
1894. _Raciborskia elegans_ Berl., List., _Mycet._, p. 133.
1909. _Comatricha elegans_ List., _Br. Mus. Guide to Mycet._, p. 31.
Sporangia loosely gregarious, globose, purplish-brown, small, 1-1.5 mm.
in total height, stipitate; stipe black, subulate, to 1 mm,; columella
at first divided into a few main branches, from which by repeated
subdivision the delicate, anastomosing, flexuose capillitial threads
take origin; spores pale brownish-violaceous, spinulescent, 8-10 mu.
South Carolina. Colorado:--_Dr. Sturgis._
12. COMATRICHA RUBENS _Lister._
1894. _Comatricha rubens_ List., _Mycet._, p. 123.
Sporangia gregarious, globoid or ellipsoidal, 1-1.5 mm., pink-brown,
stipitate; peridium persistent below; stipe .5-1 mm., black, shining;
columella to more than half the sporangium, giving off on all sides the
brownish-violaceous, flexuose threads of the capillitium, somewhat
thickened and broadly attached to the persisting peridial cup; spores
lilac-brown, spinulescent, 7-8 mu.
Another border species, looking to the lamprodermas. Philadelphia, by
courtesy _Mr. Bilgram_.
13. COMATRICHA PULCHELLA (_Bab._) _Rost._
PLATE XIII., Fig. 4, and PLATE XII., Figs. 16 and 16 _a_.
1837. _Stemonitis pulchella_ Bab., _Trans. Lin. Soc._, p. 32.
1841. _Comatricha pulchella_ Bab., Berk., _Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist._,
I. vi., p. 431, Pl. XII., 11. _a._ _b._
1848. _Stemonitis tenerrima_ Curtis, _Am. Jour._, VI., p. 352.
1873. _Stemonitis tenerrima_ Berk. & C., _Grev._, II., p. 69.
1876. _Comatricha pulchella_ (Bab.) Rost., _Mon. App._, p. 27.
1875. _Comatricha persoonii_ Rost., _Mon._, p. 201.
1894. _Comatricha persoonii_ Rost., List., _Mycet._, p. 122.
1899. _Comatricha pulchella_ (Bab.) Rost., Macbr., _N. A. S._, p. 129.
1899. _Comatricha persoonii_ Rost., Macbr., _N. A. S._, p. 132,
_excl. syn._
1911. _Comatricha pulchella_ Rost., List., _Mycet., 2nd ed._, p. 156.
1911. _Comatricha pulchella_ var. _gracilis_ Wing., List., _Mycet.,
2nd ed._, p. 156.
Sporangia very minute, 1 mm. high, scattered, ovate or ovate-cylindric
acuminate, pale brown or ferruginous, stipitate; stipe short, black,
nearly even; hypothallus none, or merely a circular base to the tiny
stem; columella straight, gradually tapering, reaching almost if not
quite to the apex of the sporangium; capillitium dense, a network of
flexuous brown threads, rather broad within, ending in slender tips
without; spore-mass brown, spores by transmitted light pale "lilac
brown," or pale ferruginous, minutely but uniformly warted, 6-8 mu.
Probably widely distributed but rarely collected. Pennsylvania, Iowa;
_Okoboji_. Toronto,--_Miss Currie._
14. COMATRICHA ELLISII _Morg._
PLATE XII., Figs. 15 and 15 _a_.
1894. _Comatricha ellisii_ Morg., _Jour. Cin. Soc._, p. 49.
1899. _Comatricha laxa_ Rost., Macbr., _N. A. S._, p. 127.
1911. _Comatricha nigra_ Schroet., List., _Mycet., 2nd ed._, p. 152.
Sporangia short, erect, oval or ovoid to oblong. Stipe and columella
erect, brown and smooth, rising from a thin pallid hypothallus, tapering
upward and vanishing into the capillitium toward the apex of the
sporangium, the stipe usually longer than the columella. Capillitium of
slender pale brown threads; these branch several times with lateral
anastomosing branchlets, forming a rather open network of small meshes,
ending with very short free extremities. Spores globose, even, pale
ochraceous, 6-7 mic. in diameter.
Growing on old pine wood. Sporangium .3-.6 mm. in height by .3-.5 mm. in
width, the stipe usually a little longer than the sporangium.
On the strength of the clear descriptions and beautiful drawings of
Celakowsky, _Myxomyceten Boehmens_, p. 52; Taf. 2, Figs. 7 and 8, this
elegant little species as described by my colleague Professor Morgan
was, in the former edition, referred to _C. laxa_ Rost. It was then
reported from New Jersey only. Since then we have specimens from Ohio
and from southern Missouri, all true to form, almost identical. It seems
wise accordingly, while recognizing the relationship of the form to both
_C. laxa_, and to _C. nigra_ as well, to give it here an individual
place again. It is very small; but once studied may thereafter be easily
recognized by a hand-lens. The form is definite, clean-cut, and the
spores are pronouncedly smaller than in either of the two related
species.
15. COMATRICHA SUBCAESPITOSA _Peck._
PLATE XII., Figs. 17, 17 _a_.
1890. _Comatricha subcaespitosa_ Peck, _N. Y. Mus. Rep._ 43, p. 25.
Sporangia scattered or sometimes in loose clusters, cylindric, obtuse,
about 1.5-2 mm., dark brown, stipitate; stipe short, one-fifth total
height; hypothallus minute; capillitium regular, the branching quite
uniform parallel, flexuous, brown with a tinge of violet, not dense;
columella well-defined, almost percurrent; spores brown in mass, under
lens dusky, nearly smooth, 9-10 mu.
The larger spores, regular, erect form, and clustered habit separate
this form from others with which it will be naturally associated. See
page 283 under _Addenda_.
=4. Diachaea= _Fries_
1825. _Diachaea_ Fries, _Syst. Orb. Veg._, I., p. 143.[38]
Sporangia distinct, globose or cylindric, the peridium thin, iridescent,
stipitate; the stipe and columella surcharged with lime, white or
yellowish, rigid, thick, tapering upward; capillitium of delicate
threads free from lime, radiating from various points on the columella,
branching and anastomosing as in _Comatricha_ to form a more or less
intricate network, the ultimate branchlets supporting the peridial wall.
Rostafinski placed this genus near the _Didymieae_ on account of the
calcareous columella and the non-calcareous capillitium. On the other
hand the structure of the capillitium and the iridescent simple peridium
ally _Diachaea_ to _Lamproderma_ and the _Stemoniteae_; the only
distinction being the calcareous stem. It is simply an intermediate
genus to be placed here more conveniently than anywhere else in what is
of necessity a linear arrangement.
=Key to the Species of Diachaea=
_A._ Stipe and columella white.
_a._ Sporangium cylindric 1. _D. leucopodia_
_b._ Sporangium globose.
i. Evidently stalked 2. _D. splendens_
ii. Stalk very short, 5 mm., conic.
O Spores warted 3. _D. bulbillosa_
OO Spores faintly netted 4. _D. subsessilis_
_B._ Stipe yellowish or orange 5. _D. thomasii_
1. DIACHAEA LEUCOPODIA (_Bull._) _Rost._
1791. _Trichia leucopodia_ Bull., _Champ. de la France_, Pl. 502,
Fig. 2.
1825. _Diachaea elegans_ Fries, _Syst. Orb. Veg._, I., p. 143.
1875. _Diachaea leucopoda_ (Bull.) Rost., _Mon._, p. 190.
Sporangia rather closely gregarious, metallic blue or purple iridescent,
cylindric or ellipsoidal, obtuse, sub-umbilicate below, stipitate; stipe
short, much less than one-half the total height, snow-white, tapering
upward; hypothallus white, venulose, occurring from stipe to stipe to
form an open network over the substratum; columella thick, cylindric,
tapering, blunt, terminating below the apex, white; capillitium
springing from every part of the columella, of slender threads, brown,
flexuous, branching and anastomosing to form an intricate net; spores in
mass nearly black, by transmitted light dull violaceous, minutely
roughened, 7-9 mu.
A very beautiful species; not uncommon in the eastern states; rare west
of the Mississippi. Easily recognized, amid related forms, by its
snow-white stem, a feature which did not escape the notice of Bulliard
and suggested the accepted specific name. Fries adopted the specific
name proposed by Trentepohl and wrote _D. elegans_, simply because to
him the peridium was "admodum elegans."
The peridium is exceedingly thin and early deciduous; the stipe long
persistent. The plasmodium, dull white, was observed by Fries at the
beginning of the century; "morphoseos clavem inter myxogastres hoc genus
primum mihi subministravit."
This species, as the diachaeas generally, affects fallen sticks and
leaves in orchards and forests and even spreads boldly over the foliage
and stems of living plants.
New England, New York, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia, South Carolina,
Ohio, Iowa, California, Canada.
2. DIACHAEA SPLENDENS _Peck._
PLATE VII., Figs. 1, 1 _a_, 1 _b_, 1 _c_.
1877. _Diachaea splendens_ Peck, _Rep. N. Y. Mus._, XXX., p. 50.
Sporangia gregarious, metallic blue with brilliant iridescence, globose,
stipitate; stipe white, short, tapering upward; hypothallus white,
venulose, a network supporting the snowy stipes; columella white,
cylindric, passing the centre, obtuse; capillitium lax, of slender,
anastomosing, brown, translucent threads; spores in mass black, by
transmitted light dark-violaceous, very coarsely warted, 7-10 mu.
This is perhaps the most showy species of the list. The globose
brilliantly iridescent sporangia are lifted above the substratum on
snow-white columnar stalks; these are again joined one to another by the
pure white vein-like cords of the reticulate hypothallus. The plasmodium
may spread very widely over all sorts of objects that come in the way,
dry forest leaves and sticks, or the fruit and foliage of living plants.
Closely resembling the preceding, but differing in the globose
sporangia, it may be instantly recognized under the lenses by its
coarsely papillate spores.
Not common. New York, Pennsylvania, Ontario, Ohio, Iowa, Nebraska.
3. DIACHAEA SUBSESSILIS _Pk._
1879. _Diachaea subsessilis_ Pk., _Rep. N. Y. Mus. Nat. History_,
XXXI., p. 41.
1894. _Diachaea subsessilis_ Pk., Lister, _Mycetozoa_, p. 92.
Sporangia gregarious or closely crowded, small, about .5 mm., dull
iridescent-blue, greenish-gray, etc., globose or depressed-globose,
short-stalked or nearly sessile; stipe generally very short, reduced
sometimes to a mere persistent cone, white; columella obsolescent or
reduced to white conical intrusion of the stipe; capillitium radiating
from the stipe, brown, consisting of branching, anastomosing threads,
paler at the tips; hypothallus very scanty or none; spores minutely
warted, the papillae arranged in an irregular, loose net-work,
violet-brown, paler under the lens, 10-12 mu.
This species is easily recognizable by its diminutive size and generally
defective structure; i. e. it has the appearance of a degenerate or
depauperate representative of some finer form. Besides the type, yet to
be seen in Albany, Dr. Sturgis reports the species from Connecticut and
from the Isle of Wight! A small gathering is before me from Colorado.
Every sporangium is borne upon a calcareous pedicel, very short indeed,
but real. The _var. globosa_ referred to in the English text under _D.
leucopodia_ has not appeared so far as reported, on this side the sea,
but even such variety could scarcely in the hands of a collector take
the place of the form now under consideration.
Specimens of _D. subsessilis_ from Europe correspond remarkably with
those described by Drs. Peck and Sturgis. Mr. Lister would have our
species a synonym for _Lamproderma fuckelianum cracovense_ (Rost.) Cel.
Rare; from Connecticut to Colorado.
4. DIACHAEA BULBILLOSA (_Berk. & Br._) _List._
1873. _Didymium bulbillosum_ Berk. & Br., _Jour. Linn. Soc._, XIV.,
p. 84.
1898. _Diachaea bulbillosa_ Lister, _Jour. Bot._, XXXVI., p. 165.
1911. _Diachaea bulbillosa_ Lister, _Mycetozoa, 2nd ed._, p. 119.
Sporangia gregarious, globose, small, iridescent purple, stipitate;
stipe conical, white, sometimes brown, half-a-mm., half the total
height; columella clavate, white or brown; capillitium of purple-brown
threads united to form a lax net; spores violet-grey, marked with
scattered warts "6-8 in a row across the hemisphere", 7-9 mu.
Java, _Berkeley & Broome, op. c._ Toronto, Canada; cited here by
courtesy of Miss Currie who gives the spores 7.8 mu.
5. DIACHAEA THOMASII _Rex._
PLATE V., Fig. 6, 6 _a_.
1892. _Diachaea thomasii_ Rex, _Proc. Phil. Acad._, p. 329.
Sporangia gregarious, more or less crowded, purple and bronze,
iridescent, globose sessile or short stipitate; stipe, when present,
very short, thick, tapering rapidly upward, orange; hypothallus orange,
prominent venulose, continuous; columella ochre yellow, rough,
cylindric, tapering upward to one-half the height of the sporangium,
obtuse; capillitium lax, of slender brown rigid threads, radiating from
the columella in every direction, anastomosing to form a loose,
large-meshed network; spore-mass brown; spores by transmitted light
violaceous, minutely, unevenly warted, 10-12 mu.
The peculiar orange color of the calcareous deposits in stipe and
columella easily distinguish this species. The capillitium is also
distinctive, rigid, simple, and comparatively scant, lamprodermoid. Rex
calls attention to the fact that under low magnification the spores
appear spotted; but the spots are occasioned simply by the closer
aggregation, at particular points, of the ordinary papillae.
A southern species. All the specimens so far reported are from the
mountains of North Carolina.
The specimens referred to under this name by Lister, _Mon._, p. 92, as
coming from "Kittery, U. S. A." (Kittery, Maine?), are, no doubt,
according to Mr. Lister's figures, _Comatricha caespitosa_ Sturgis. See
under that species.
_C._ LAMPRODERMACEAE
Sporangia distinct, generally gregarious, more or less spherical;
capillitium developed chiefly or solely from the summit of the
columella.
=Key to the Genera of the Lamprodermaceae=
_A._ Columella percurrent; capillitium from a disk
at the apex 1. ENERTHENEMA
_B._ Columella scarce reaching the centre of the
sporangium.
_a._ Capillitium not forming a net 2. CLASTODERMA
_b._ Capillitium forming an intricate net 3. LAMPRODERMA
_c._ Minute, capillitium rudimentary 4. ECHINOSTELIUM
=1. Enerthenema= _Bowman_
1828. _Enerthenema_ Bowman, _Trans. Linn. Soc._, XVI., p. 152.
Sporangia stipitate, the stipe extended as a columella, which entirely
traverses the sporangium and forms at the apex an expanded disk; from
this depends the capillitium.
=Key to the Species of Enerthenema=
_A._ Spores free 1. _E. papillatum_
_B._ Spores in clusters 2. _E. berkeleyanum_
1. ENERTHENEMA PAPILLATUM (_Pers._) _Rost._
PLATE V., Fig. 3.
1801. _Stemonitis papillata_ Pers., _Syn._, p. 188.
1828. _Enerthenema elegans_ Bowm., _Trans. Linn. Soc._, XVI., p. 152.
1862. _Comatricha obtusata_ Preuss, Sturm, _Deutschl. Flora_, Pl. LXX.
1876. _Enerthenema papillatum_ (Pers.) Rost., _Mon. App._, p. 28.
Sporangia scattered or crowded, stipitate, spheroidal, naked, black
fuscous, above, shining, adorned with a minute, black papilla; stipe
black, opaque, conical or attenuate upward, about equal to the peridium;
columella at the apex expanded into a shining disk; capillitium
springing from the lower side of the disk or from its edge, made up of
scarcely forked threads which are free below; spores violaceous or
fuscous black, minutely warted, 10-12 mu.
Rare. Wisconsin, Ohio, South Carolina, Illinois, Pennsylvania, Iowa,
Colorado.
This is one of the few species so well marked that Persoon's
description, _l. c._, is definitive: "Stylidio toto penetrante.
Capillitium exacte globosum, sub-compactum, in eius apice stylidium
papillae in modum prominet." For this reason Bowman's specific name
_elegans_ is discarded.
2. ENERTHENEMA BERKELEYANUM _Rost._
1876. _Enerthenema berkeleyanum_ Rost., _Mon. App._, p. 29.
1913. _Enerthenema syncarpon_ Sturgis, _Myxo. Col._, II., p. 448.
This species corresponds to the preceding in all respects except in the
fact that the spores are clustered in groups of four to twelve and are a
little larger, 11-13 mu, strongly spinulose on the exposed surface.
Dr. Sturgis reports this from Colorado, _l. c._, but discards
Rostafinski's specific name on the ground that the type has disappeared;
only the spores of some fungus hyphae remain in the place and these may
have been mistaken by Berkeley. This seems hardly possible since such
supposition would not account for the generic reference either by
Berkeley (and Broome) or by Rostafinski. The description in the
_Monograph_ is minute as that of one who had the form under his lenses.
Rostafinski _saw_ Berkeley's specimens.
For a similar case, see under _Prototrichia metallica, Mycetozoa 2nd
ed._, p. 261.
South Carolina, type; Colorado.
=2. Clastoderma= _Blytt_
1880. _Clastoderma_ Blytt, _Bot. Zeit._, XXXVIII., p. 343.
Sporangium globose, distinct, stipitate; the columella short or
obsolete; the capillitium of few sparsely branched threads, which bear
at their tops the persistent fragments of the peridium, but are not
otherwise united.
Distinguished from _Lamproderma_ by the peculiar manner in which the
peridium is ruptured, and by the simplicity of the scanty capillitium.
So far there appears to be but a single species.
1. CLASTODERMA DEBARYANUM _Blytt._
PLATE XIII., Fig. 6, and PLATE XVI., Fig. 13.
1880. _Clastoderma debaryanum_ Blytt, _Bot. Zeit._, XXXVIII., p. 343.
1886. _Orthotrichia microcephala_ Wing., _Jour. Myc._, II., p. 126.
Sporangia scattered or gregarious, very minute, 1-12 to 1/4 mm. in
diameter, the peridium fugacious, except the minute patches that adhere
to the capillitial branchlets, and the slight annulus at the base of the
columella; stipe long, unequal, dark below, above paler; columella
almost none, giving early rise to the comparatively few slender threads
which by their repeated forking make up the capillitium; spores globose,
even, violaceous, 8-9 mu.
Reported in the United States so far from Maine, Pennsylvania, Ohio, and
Illinois.
The sporangia are very small, but beautiful, delicate little structures,
found on the bark of living red oak in this country; in Norway it seems
to have been seen first on a dead polyporus. Its minuteness doubtless
causes it to be generally overlooked, _N. A. F._, 2498.
=3. Lamproderma= _Rostafinski_
1873. _Lamproderma_ Rostafinski, _Versuch_, p. 7.
Sporangia stipitate, globose, or ellipsoid; columella cylindric or
inflated or clavate at the apex, scarcely attaining half the height of
the peridium; peridium shining with metallic tints, deciduous, except
where, at the base of the columella, it forms a ring around the stipe;
capillitium rising in tufts or by simple branches from the columella,
the threads regularly forked, generally united into a net.
The lamprodermas are distinguished from the comatrichas, to which they
are most nearly allied, by the arrangement of the capillitium, its
development from the apex only of the columella, the continuation of the
stipe within the peridium. In other words, the peridium leaves the stipe
some distance below the point where the lowest capillitial branches take
origin. In mature specimens the peridium has often entirely disappeared,
its only trace, a collar, more or less distinct, around the stipe,
marking the beginning of the columella. Nevertheless the peridium is far
more persistent than in any comatricha, and shows in yet greater
brilliancy the wondrous metallic tints and iridescence of _Comatricha_
and _Diachaea_. Older authors, so far as can be seen, distributed the
species between _Physarum_ and _Stemonitis_.
=Key to the Species of Lamproderma=
_A._ Peridium metallic blue.
_a._ Stipe short, stout.
1. Capillitium tips colorless 5. _L. violaceum_
_b._ Stipe long, slender.
1. Capillitium of dark, tapering, oft-united
threads 3. _L. columbinum_
2. Capillitial threads rigid, dark brown,
seldom united 4. _L. scintillans_
_B._ Peridium not blue, silvery.
_a._ Stipe long, slender.
1. Capillitium very intricate, forming a
compact net 6. _L. arcyrionema_
2. Capillitium of rigid dark brown threads 1. _L. physaroides_
_b._ Stipe short, heads large, 1 mm. or more 2. _L. robustum_
1. LAMPRODERMA PHYSAROIDES (_Alb. & Schw._) _Rost._
1805. _Physarum physaroides_ Alb. & Schw., _Consp. Fung._, p, 103.
1875. _Lamproderma physaroides_ (Alb. & Schw.) Rost., _Mon._, p. 202.
Sporangia gregarious, wide-spreading, globose, the peridium persistent
with a silver metallic, sometimes brassy, lustre; stipe long, brown or
black, tapering upward; hypothallus well developed, brown or purple,
usually not continuous; columella swollen, obtuse, short at best, hardly
attaining the centre of the sporangium; capillitium very rigid, of
simple or sparingly branched, dark-brown threads radiating from the
clavate apex of the columella and only here and there anastomosing
toward the surface, the ultimate divisions distinctly rough; spores
lilac brown, rough, 10-12.5 mu.
This species is well described and illustrated in Rostafinski's
_Monograph_. It is well marked by its clavate columella and peculiarly
simple, dark rigid capillitium, the branches of which rise in great
numbers immediately from the columella, and maintain their primitive
thickness during the greater part of their length. The transverse
vincula are often at right angles to the principal branches, and the
meshes, where formed, are often long and rectangular. Externally, it
resembles _L. arcyrionema_, but is by its spores and capillitium
instantly distinguished. Rostafinski gives the spores 12.5-14.2 mu. Large
spores are less common in the specimens before us. Lister figures a
sessile variety.
In our first edition this species was entered from lists published for
New England, New York, and Ohio. The intervening years, however, have
brought no confirmation. Specimens from Maine and Ohio, with large
spores, represent _L. columbinum_, and those cited for New York are
forms of _L. violaceum_. It is accordingly doubtful that _L.
physaroides_ (A. & S.) Rost. occurs in North America. That it is to be
found in Europe there seems no doubt. The figure and description by
Schweinitz, _l. c._, may indeed be inconclusive, but Rostafinski's
citation and abundant description leave no doubt as to his opinion;
while numerous localities named would indicate adequate material. What
Rostafinski described will no doubt obtain wider recognition some day.
2. LAMPRODERMA ROBUSTUM _Ell. & Evh._
1892. _Lamproderma robustum_ Ell. & Evh., Mass., _Mon._, p. 99.
1894. _Lamproderma violaceum_ var. _sauteri_ Rost., List.,
_Mycetozoa_, p. 129.
1899. _Lamproderma sauteri_ Rost., Macbr., _N. A. S._, p. 140.
Sporangia gregarious, globose, dull black, the peridium when present
silvery, shining, or simply smooth, transparent and without
iridescence, stipitate; stipe short, black, tapering rapidly upward,
annulate with the persisting base of the peridium; columella short,
thick, truncate, and widened at the top; hypothallus well developed,
brown or purple; capillitium dense, made up of dark brown branches,
numerous and rather slender, repeatedly branched and anastomosing toward
the surface to form a slight delicate network with abundant free ends;
spores dark purple brown, rough, 14-16 mu.
This species in outward appearance resembles _L. physaroides_, from
which it is easily distinguished by the much greater diameter of the
globose sporangium, 1 mm. or more. The persistent base of the peridium
is also characteristic, very prominent sometimes, and visible to the
naked eye. The capillitium is also unlike that of _L. physaroides_;
resembles more nearly that of _L. violaceum_. From the latter species
_L. robustum_ is distinguished by the color of the peridium, and by the
larger, darker spores and generally different capillitium. In our former
edition this is called _L. sauteri_ Rost. That much-quoted author
distinguished _L. violaceum_ and _L. sauteri_; the English authors make
the last named a variety only of the former. This our American species
is _not_.
It is, as presented in our western mountains, clear-cut, well defined,
not a variety of anything. The original name is therefore restored.
_Lamproderma arcyrioides_ (Somm.) Morgan is probably a form of _L.
columbinum_. The original _L. arcyrioides_ has not yet been certainly
identified in North America; see following species.
Colorado, Oregon, Washington, California.
3. LAMPRODERMA COLUMBINUM (_Pers._) _Rost._
1796. _Physarum columbinum_ Pers., _Obs. Myc._, I., p. 5.
1875. _Lamproderma columbinum_ Rost., _Mon._, p. 203.
Sporangia scattered, gregarious; rich violet or purple with metallic
iridescence, globose, stipitate; the stipe long, three-fourths the total
height, slender, subulate, black; hypothallus scant, purplish or brown;
columella small, one-third the height or less, tapering or acute, black;
the capillitium brown throughout, not dense, arising from nearly all
parts of the columella, freely branching and anastomosing to an open,
large-meshed network; spore-mass black, spores by transmitted light dark
brown, rough, 10-12 mu.
Rostafinski distinguished this beautiful species by the color of the
peridium and the conic columella. According to Mr. Lister, Rostafinski
was not specially careful in labelling his material, different forms
having been included under this specific name. Nevertheless, the
description is well drawn, and excludes _L. physaroides_ completely. At
all events our American specimens correspond so well with the
description of _L. columbinum_ (Pers.) Rost. that there seems no doubt
that we have here what the Polish author figured and described, whether
or not he was always consistent in applying his labels. The color
distinguishes at sight the present species from _L. physaroides_, and
the capillitium and large rough brown spores distinguish it from _L.
violaceum_. The capillitium of the minute _L. scintillans_ is much
denser and more rigid, and the spores smaller. The stipe when dry is
ciliate.
This is the common species of our western mountains, especially on the
Pacific slope. In the Cascades every dark ravine is certain to show it
in later summer and autumn, far extended colonies covering the moist
surfaces of every mouldering log; the myriad globoid sporangia giving
back when brought to the sunlight the most extravagant blues and greens
with all the splendor of metallic sheen, their brilliant beauty never
fails to quicken the attention of even the most insensate tourist.
Abundant in the western forests, in the east extremely rare; Maine,
Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Washington, Oregon; Vancouver, Canada.
4. LAMPRODERMA SCINTILLANS (_Berk. & Br._) _Morg._
PLATE V., Figs. 2, 2 _a_.
1877. _Stemonitis scintillans_ Berk. & Br., _Jour. Linn. Soc._, XV.,
p. 2.
1877. _Lamproderma arcyrioides_, var. _iridea_ Cke., _Myx. G. B._,
p. 50.
1892. _Lamproderma irideum_ (Cke.) Mass., _Mon._, p. 95.
1894. _Lamproderma scintillans_ (Berk. & Br.) Morg., _Jour. Cin.
Soc._, p. 47.
Sporangia gregarious, scattered, globose or depressed-globose, rich
metallic blue or purple, iridescent, stipitate; the stipe long, slender,
even, inclined and nodding or sometimes erect; hypothallus small,
circular; columella cylindric, small, not reaching the centre, black;
capillitium dense, of rigid, straight, sparingly branched or
anastomosing, brown threads, which are sometimes white or colorless just
as they leave the columella; spores globose, rough, violaceous brown, 8
mu.
This is _L. irideum_ of Cooke and of Massee's _Monograph_. Its
capillitium is remarkable, and constitutes an easy diagnostic mark. The
threads appear at first sight entirely simple, but are really several
times furcate, and not infrequently anastomose. The spores are covered
with sparsely sown large papillae, easily seen under moderate
magnification.
This is one of our earliest species. To be sought in May on beds of
decaying oak leaves in the woods, especially in wet places, near
streams, etc.
Rare. New England, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Iowa.
5. LAMPRODERMA VIOLACEUM (_Fries_) _Rost._
1829. _Stemonitis violacea_ Fries, _Syst. Myc._, III., p. 162.
1875. _Lamproderma violaceum_ (Fries) _Rost., Mon._, p. 204.
Sporangia closely gregarious or scattered, depressed-globose, more or
less umbilicate below, metallic blue or purple, sessile or short
stipitate; stipe stout, dark brown or black, even; hypothallus, when the
sporangia are crowded, a thin, continuous, purplish membrane; when the
sporangia are scattered, the hypothallus discoidal; columella cylindric
or tapering slightly upward, the apex obtuse, black, attaining the
centre of the sporangium; capillitium lax and flaccid, made up of
flexuous threads branching and anastomosing to form a network, open in
the interior, more dense without, the threads at first pale brown as
they leave the columella, becoming paler outward to the colorless tips;
spores minutely warted, violaceous gray, 9-11 mu.
This is our most common species; found on decaying sticks and logs late
in the fall. Its pale capillitium will usually distinguish it,
especially where the sporangia are empty; then the pallid free
extremities of the capillitial branches give to the little spheres under
the lens a white or hoary appearance not seen in any other species.
The plasmodium is at first almost transparent, then amber tinted,
sending up tiny semi-transparent spheres on shining brownish stalks. As
the changes approach maturity, the sporangia become jet-black, and only
at last when the spores are ready for dispersal does the peridium assume
its rich metallic purple tints. Colonies a meter in length, two or three
decimeters in width, are sometimes seen!
New England, New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Iowa,
South Dakota; Toronto. Common.
6. LAMPRODERMA ARCYRIONEMA _Rost._
PLATE V., Figs. 1, 1 _a_.
1875. _Lamproderma arcyrionema_ Rost., _Mon._, p. 208.
Sporangia gregarious, scattered, globose, silvery gray or bronze,
iridescent, erect, stipitate; stipe black, long, two-thirds to
three-fourths the total height, slender, rigid; columella slender,
cylindric, attaining about one-third the height of the sporangium when
it breaks into the primary branches of the capillitium; capillitium
exceedingly intricate, made up of slender, flexuous brown threads which
frequently branch and anastomose to form an elegant round-meshed network
resembling that of _Arcyria_, free ultimate branchlets not numerous;
spores in mass jet-black, by transmitted light violaceous, smooth, or
only faintly warted, 6-8 mu.
In outward appearance this species resembles _L. physaroides_, but is
easily recognizable by its very peculiar capillitium. This, in its
primary branching, resembles a comatricha. In typical forms, the
columella branches at the apex only, generally into two strong divisions
which then break up irregularly and anastomose in every direction. This
seems to have been the form present to Rostafinski when he wrote
"columella truncate." In Central American and some North American
specimens, the branching is very different; the twigs leave the
columella at various points almost down to the annulus, and the entire
effect is dendroid. The columella is lost almost at once. A small form
of this species was formerly distributed in the United States as
_Comatricha friesiana_ DeBy. This circumstance led the present author to
describe Central American forms as _C. shimekiana_. Judging from a
remark by Massee (_Mon._, p. 97), a similar confusion seems to have
prevailed in Europe. As a matter of fact, the resemblance between _C.
friesiana_, i. e. _C. nigra_, and the present species is sufficiently
remote.
_Lamproderma minutum_ Rostafinski seems to be a small form of this
species. Rostafinski bases his diagnosis upon the branching of the
columella, which is, as we have seen, inconstant, and upon the colorless
capillitium. This feature in specimens examined is also inconstant.
Occurring in large colonies on barkless decaying logs of various
species; the plasmodium almost colorless.
New England, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Louisiana, Texas, Mexico, Nicaragua;
Vancouver's Island; Ontario, Toronto,--_Miss Currie._
=4. Echinostelium= _DeBary_
1873. _Echinostelium_ DeBary, Rost., _Versuch_, p. 7.
Sporangia distinct, globose, minute, the structure limited to a few
imperfect rib-like, loosely joined branches developed from the short
columella or stem-top, sustaining the spores.
A single species:--
1. ECHINOSTELIUM MINUTUM _DeBy_.
1873. _Echinostelium minutum_ DeBy., Rost., _Versuch_, p. 7.
PLATE XIX., Figs. 11 and 11 _a_
Sporangia distinct, scattered, globose, very minute, 40-50 mu, stipitate;
the stipe, hair-like subulate, granular but hyaline; columella minute or
none; capillitium consisting of a few arcuate spinose threads loosely
united supporting the uncovered spores, spores globose, colorless,
smooth, 7-8 mu.--_Rostafinski._
This very singular and diminutive form, the least of all slime-moulds,
is probably widely distributed but the accident of discovery is rare.
DeBary found it once only, at Frankfurt am Main.
Miss Lister reports its occurrence in England and Austria. In the United
States it has been seen but once on certain laboratory material from
Massachusetts, studied by Dr. Thaxter.
Our drawing is after Rostafinski, IV., 68; Miss Lister follows No. 54,
and so finds a bit of peridium below the two spores shown in the figure,
one on each side of a microscopic _columella_.
This is almost the only taxonomic suggestion;--a mere suggestion; this
microscopic bit of anxious life is but a shadow,--a shade, a shadow of a
lamproderma!
ORDER III
CRIBRARIALES
Fructification plasmodiocarpous or aethalioid, or consisting of distinct
sporangia; peridia membranaceous at maturity, more or less evanescent,
opening irregularly or by means of a delicate network, which involves at
least the upper part of the sporangium; capillitium usually none; spores
of some shade of brown, umbrine, rarely purplish.
This order is distinguished--except in a single case--by the entire
absence of true capillitium, the pallid or brown spores, the gradual
evolution of distinct sporangia in which provision for spore-dispersal
is made by peridial modification especially at the sporangium-top.
=Key to the Families of the Cribrariales=
_A._ Fructification plasmodiocarpous scattered as
if made up of the segments of the
plasmodial net LICEACAE
_B._ Fructification of distinct and separate
sporangia, long stipitate, opening by a
delicate operculum at the top ORCADELLACEAE
_C._ Fructification aethalioid, the sporangia
generally more or less tubular, often
prismatic by mutual pressure; opening by
rupture of the apex, the lateral walls entire TUBIFERACEAE
_D._ Fructification aethalioid, the sporangia ill
defined, their walls more or less
perforate, frayed, or dissipated, forming
a pseudo-capillitium, RETICULARIACEAE
_E._ Fructification of distinct and separate
sporangia, the walls more or less
reticulately perforate especially above CRIBRARIACEAE
_A._ LICEACEAE
A single genus,--
=1. Licea= (_Schrader_) _Rost._
1797. _Licea_ Schrader, _Nov. Gen. Plant._, p. 16, in part.
1875. _Licea_ (Schrader) Rost., _Mon._, p. 218.
Sporangia plasmodiocarpous, looped, irregular, or distinct, sessile,
and regularly rounded or elliptical; the peridium simple, rather firm,
ruptured irregularly or by simple fissure; hypothallus none.
This genus is distinguished from other similar plasmodiocarpous forms by
the extreme simplicity of its structure. There is absolutely no
capillitium nor anything like it, simply a mass of spores surrounded by
thin membranous walls. The spores range from pale olive, colorless under
the lens, through various shades of brown to dusky almost black in _L.
pusilla_. Schrader included the _Tubifera_ species.
=Key to the Species of Licea=
_A._ Plainly plasmodiocarpous 1. _L. variabilis_
_B._ Opening by regular segments.
1. Segments two only 2. _L. biforis_
2. Segments several.
i. Spores brown 3. _L. minima_
ii. Spores dusky olive 4. _L. pusilla_
1. LICEA VARIABILIS _Schrader._
PLATE XII., Figs. 7 and 8.
1797. _Licea variabilis_ Schrader, _Nov. Gen._, p. 18, Pl. VI.,
Figs. 5 and 6.
1801. _Licea variabilis_ Schr., Pers., _Syn. Meth._, p. 197.
1801. _Licea flexuosa_ Pers., _Syn. Meth._, p. 197.
1911. _Licea flexuosa_ Pers., List., _Mycetozoa, 2nd ed._, p. 189.
Fructification plasmodiocarpous, elongate, hamate, annulate or
irregularly repent, very dark brown, rough, the peridium of two layers,
the outer closely adhering, dark brown, thick, opaque, the inner
delicate, membranous, very thin, transparent, iridescent, rugulose,
rupturing irregularly; hypothallus none; spores in mass pale yellow with
a greenish tinge, by transmitted light nearly colorless, large, globose,
minutely spinulose, 12.5 mu.
This is the largest species of the genus as represented in this country,
the plasmodiocarps of various lengths and from .5-.7 mu wide. Somewhat
resembling some species of _Ophiotheca_, but of much darker color. The
outer peridium is deciduous, and the inner slowly ruptures, by irregular
fissures discharging the spores. The plasmodium, according to Schrader,
is white. Rare. Probably overlooked.
Any good reason for changing the name given to this form so well
illustrated and described by Schrader does not appear. Persoon quotes
his predecessor's species and adds _L. flexuosa_ on his own account;
strangely enough, since Schrader expressly describes _L. variabilis_,
"in uno eodemque enim loco peridium hemisphericum, ovatum, oblongum
_flexuosum_ vel aliter formatum diversi est diametri."
New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Iowa.
_Licea flexuosa_ Pers. is by Schweinitz reported from Pennsylvania. It
is described as having brown spores, 10-15 mu, spinulose.
2. LICEA BIFORIS _Morgan._
PLATE XII., Fig. 10.
1893. _Licea biforis_ Morgan, _Jour. Cin. Soc._, p. 5.
Sporangia regular, compressed, sessile on a narrow base, gregarious; the
wall firm, thin, smooth, yellow brown in color and nearly opaque, with
minute, scattered granules on the inner surface, at maturity opening
into two equal parts, which remain persistent by the base; spores
yellow-brown in mass, globose or oval, even, 9-12 u.
Minute but perfectly regular, almost uniform, corneous-looking sporangia
are thickly strewn over the inner surface of decaying bark. Each, at
first elongate, pointed at each end, opens at length by fissure along
the upper side setting free the minute yellowish spores. Unlike anything
else; reminding one, at first sight, of some species of _Glonium_.
Inside bark of _Liriodendron_. Ohio, Canada.
3. LICEA MINIMA _Fries_.
1829. _Licea minima_ Fries, _Syst. Myc._, III., p. 199.
Sporangia gregarious, umber-brown, spherical or hemispherical, sessile;
the peridium opaque, brown, opening along prefigured lines, forming
segments with dotted margins, ultimately widely reflexed; spores in mass
dark brown, by transmitted light paler with olive tints, minutely
roughened, 10-11 mu.
The very minute sporangia, 3 mm., of this species cause it to be
overlooked generally by collectors. Nevertheless, it may be found on
decaying soft woods, in August, probably around the world. The number
of sporangia produced by one plasmodium is in Iowa also small. The
larger specimens might be mistaken for species of _Perichaena_, but are
easily distinguished by the regular and lobate dehiscence. The
plasmodium is yellow.
Dr. George Rex, in almost the last paper from his hand, gives an
interesting account of this diminutive species. Among various gatherings
studied he found a black variety, a melanistic phase, so to say, and was
able to follow the evolution of the sporangia from the yellow
plasmodium. The sutures by which the peridium opens, first show signs of
differentiation by change of color from yellow through garnet to black.
Later the entire wall undergoes similar color changes, beginning next
the completed sutural delimitations. Of the open peridia, the reflexed
segments remind one of certain didermas, as _D. radiatum_. See _Bot.
Gaz._, Vol. XIX., p. 399.
New England, New York, Pennsylvania, Iowa.
4. LICEA PUSILLA _Schrader._
1797. _Licea pusilla_ Schrad., _Nov. Gen. Pl._, p. 19, tab. VI.,
f. 4.
1829. _Physarum licea_ Fries, _Syst. Myc._, III., p. 143.
1875. _Protoderma pusilla_ (Schrader) Rost., _Mon._, p 90.
Sporangia scattered, gregarious, depressed-globose, sessile on a
flattened base, dark brown, shining, .5-1 mm.; peridium thin, dark
colored, translucent, dehiscent above by regular segments; spore-mass
almost black, spores by transmitted light olivaceous brown, smooth, or
nearly so, 15-17 mu.
Fries, _l. c._, makes this a physarum, and argues the case at length,
evidently with such efficiency that he greatly impressed Rostafinski,
who did not make it a physarum indeed, but actually gave it generic
place and station of its own; a physarum may do without calcium in the
capillitium perhaps, but not be entirely non-calcareous; so he writes
_Protoderma_ (first cover) and places the species number 1 on the long
list of endosporous forms. Even in his '_Dodatek_', or supplement, as we
should say, he refers to the thing again, but only to correct the
inflexional ending of the specific name; he writes _Protoderma pusillum_
(Schrader) Rost!
Schweinitz reports the species for America and Morgan cites Schweinitz
and reports it for Ohio, but we find it in no American collections.
_B._ ORCADELLACEAE;
Sporangia distinct, minute, long stipitate, opening above by a distinct
lid.
A single genus,--
=Orcadella= _Wingate_
1889. _Orcadella_ Wingate, _Proc. Phil. Acad._, p. 280.
Sporangia furnished with rigid, unpolished stipes, blending above with
the substance of the thick unpolished walls; the operculum thin,
delicate, membranaceous.
A single species,--
1. ORCADELLA OPERCULATA _Wingate._
PLATE XII., Fig. 11.
1889. _Orcadella operculata_ Wingate, _Proc. Phil. Acad._, p. 280.
Sporangia scattered, gregarious, ellipsoidal, ovoid, obconical or nearly
globose, dull brown or blackish, the wall simple, thick, coarse, at the
top replaced by a delicate, thin, yellowish, iridescent, lustrous or
vernicose membrane which forms a circular, smooth, or wrinkled lid, soon
deciduous; stipe of varying height, rough from deposit of plasmodic
refuse; spores, in mass yellowish, globose, smooth, 8-11 mu.
This curious little species, well described by its discoverer, appears
to be very rare. At least it is seldom collected; overlooked by reason
of its minuteness. It is a stipitate licea, or a lid-covered cribraria;
perhaps nearer the former. It affects the bark of species of _Quercus_,
and seems to be associated there with _Clastoderma debaryanum. N. A.
F._, 2497.
Pennsylvania, Maine.
_C._ TUBIFERACEAE
Fructification aethalioid or of distinct sporangia; sporangia well
defined, tubular, often prismatic by mutual pressure, seated on a
common, well-marked hypothallus, at length dehiscent by the irregular
rupture of the peridium, in typical cases at the apex, its walls
remaining then otherwise entire; capillitial threads in No. 3, only.
=Key to the Genera of the Tubiferaceae=
_A._ Spores olivaceous; sporangia in one or several
series, 1. LINDBLADIA
_B._ Spores umber; sporangia in a single series 2. TUBIFERA
_C._ Sporangia stipitate; capillitium of tubular threads 3. ALWISIA
=1. Lindbladia= _Fries_
1849. _Lindbladia_ Fries, _Sum. Veg. Scand._, p. 449.
Fructification aethalioid; the sporangia short, tubular, sometimes
superimposed, sometimes forming a simple stratum, in the latter case
generally sessile, but sometimes short-stipitate, the peridium at first
entire, at length opening irregularly either at the sides or apex, beset
with granules; spores olivaceous.
This genus was established by Fries in 1849 to accommodate a single
species of wide distribution and somewhat varying habit, which is
neither a tubifera nor yet a cribraria and offers points of resemblance
to each. It is distinct in that the sporangia, while often in single
series, are yet often superimposed. It resembles _Tubifera_ in its
simple sporangia, opening without the aid of a net; it is like
_Cribraria_ in the smooth ochraceous-olivaceous spores and granuliferous
peridium.
1. LINDBLADIA EFFUSA (_Ehr._) _Rost._
PLATE I., Figs. 3, 3 _a_, PLATE XII., Figs. 1, 2.
1818. _Licea effusa_ Ehr., _Sylv. Myc. Ber._, p. 26.
1875. _Lindbladia effusa_ (Ehr.) Rost., _Mon._, p. 223.
1879. _Perichaena caespitosa_ Peck, _Rep. N. Y. Mus._, XXXI., p. 57.
Sporangia minute, either closely combined and superimposed, so as to
form a pulvinate aethalium, or crowded together in a single layer,
sessile, or short-stipitate; the peridia thin, membranous, marked by
scattered plasmodic granules, often lustrous, sometimes dull
lead-colored or blackish, especially above; stipe, when present, very
short but distinct, brown, rugulose; hypothallus well developed,
membranous, or more or less spongiose in structure; spore-mass
ochraceous, under the lens, nearly smooth, almost colorless, 6-7.5 mu.
This very variable species has been well studied by Dr. Rex. See _Bot.
Gaz._, XVII., p. 201. In its simpler phases it presents but a single
layer of sporangia generally closely crowded together, sometimes free
and even short stipitate! In the more complex phase the sporangia are
heaped together in a pulvinate mass in which the peridia appear as
boundaries of minute cells. In this case the outermost sporangia are
often consolidated to form a cortex more or less dense and shining. In
any case the hypothallus is a prominent feature; generally laminated and
of two or three layers, it is in the more hemispheric aethalia very much
more complex, sponge-like. When thin this structure is remarkable for
its wide extent, 40-50 cm.! The simpler forms approach very near to
_Cribraria_ through _C. argillacea_. The most complex remind us of
_Enteridium_.
This is _Perichaena caespitosa_ Peck. In this country it has, however,
been generally distributed as _L. effusa_ Ehr. This author throws some
doubt on the species he describes by suggesting that the plasmodium may
be _red_. The description, however, and figures are otherwise good and
are established by the usage of Rostafinski. The plasmodium has much the
same color as the mature fruit.
Widely distributed. New England to the Black Hills and Colorado, south
to Arkansas. California, about Monterey.
=2. Tubifera= _Gmelin_
1791. _Tubifera_ Gmelin, _Syst. Nat._, II., p. 1472.
Sporangia tubular, by mutual pressure more or less prismatic, connate,
pale ferruginous-brown, iridescent, the walls thin, slightly granular,
long-persistent; dehiscence apical; hypothallus thick, spongiose, white
or whitish; spore-mass ferruginous.
This genus is easily recognized by the tubular sporangia, destitute of
capillitial threads, seated upon a strongly developed hypothallus. The
synonymy of the case is somewhat difficult. It is possible that
Mueller's _Tubulifera ceratum, Fl. Dan._, Ellevte Haefte, 1775, p. 8,
may belong here, but neither the text nor the figures make it certain.
Neither he nor OEder, who gives us _T. cremor_ in the same work, had
any accurate idea of the objects described. Gmelin's description of
_Tubifera_, II., 2, 1472, is, however, ample, and his citations of
Bulliard's plates leave no doubt as to the forms he included. Gmelin
writes: "Thecae (membranae expansae superimpositae) inter se connatae
seminibus nudiusculis repletae."
Why, in face of so good a description, Persoon changed the name to that
since current, _Tubulina_, is not clear.
Fries thinks Mueller had an immature _Arcyria_ before him, _Syst. Myc._,
III., p. 196. _Tubulifera arachnoidea_ Jacq., 1778, is also an uncertain
quantity, insufficiently described.
=Key to the Species of Tubifera=
_A._ Hypothallus well developed, but not conspicuous.
_a._ Pseudo-columellae none 1. _T. ferruginosa_
_b._ Pseudo-columellae present at least in many
of the tubules 2. _T. casparyi_
_B._ Hypothallus prominent, columnar 3. _T. stipitata_
1. TUBIFERA FERRUGINOSA (_Batsch_) _Macbr._
PLATE I., Fig. 4; PLATE VII., Fig. 8; PLATE XII., Fig. 14.
1786. _Stemonitis ferruginosa_ Batsch, _Elench._, p. 261, Fig. 175.
1791. _Sphaerocarpus cylindricus_ Bull., _Champ._, p. 140, t. 470,
III.
1791. _Tubifera ferruginosa_ Gmelin, _Syst. Nat._, 1472 (_ex parte_).
1805. _Tubulina cylindrica_ (Bull.) DC., _Fl. Fr._, 671.
1875. _Tubulina cylindrica_ (Bull.) Rost., _Mon._, p. 220.
1894. _Tubulina fragiformis_ (Pers.) Lister, _Mycetozoa_, p. 153.
Sporangia crowded, cylindric or prismatic, elongate, connate, more or
less distinct above, pale umber-brown, generally simple though
occasionally branched above, the peridia thin, sometimes fragile, but
generally persistent, transparent, iridescent; hypothallus strongly
developed, spongiose, white, often projecting beyond the aethalioid mass
of sporangia; spore-mass umber-brown or ferruginous; spores by
transmitted light almost colorless, plainly reticulate over
three-fourths of the surface, 6-7 mu.
Not rare on old logs, mosses, etc., from Maine to Alaska. Apparently
more common north than south. Easily known by its long, tubular
sporangia packed with rusty spores and destitute of any trace of
columella or capillitium, the hypothallus explanate, rather thick, but
not columnar. A single plasmodium may give rise to one or several
colonies, at first watery or white, then red, of somewhat varying
shades, then finally umber-brown. These colors were noticed by all the
older authors, but very inaccurately; thus a white plasmodium is the
basis for _Tubifera cylindrica_ (Bull.) Gmel., a roseate plasmodium for
_Tubifera fragiformis_ (Bull.) Gmel., and the mature fructification for
_Tubifera ferruginosa_ (Batsch) Gmel. Rostafinski adopted a specific
name given by Bulliard, but Batsch has clear priority.
The peridia are sometimes accuminate, and widely separate above. This is
Persoon's _T. fragiformis_. In most cases, however, the peridia are
connate throughout, and sometimes present above a membranous common
covering. This is _T. fallax_ of Persoon; _Licea cylindrica_ (Bull.)
Fries. In forms with thicker peridia, the walls often show the granular
markings characteristic of the entire _Anemeae_.
2. TUBIFERA STIPITATA (_Berk. & Rav._) _Macbr._
1858. _Licea stipitata_ Berk. & Rav., _Am. Acad._, IV., p. 125.[39]
1868. _Licea stipitata_ Berk. & Rav., _Jour. Linn. Soc._, X., p. 350.
1875. _Tubulina stipitata_ (Berk. & Rav.) Rost., p. 223.
Sporangia crowded in a globose or more or less hemispheric, expanded
head, borne upon a spongy, stem-like, sulcate hypothallus 3-4 mm. high,
their apices rounded, their walls very thin, evanescent; spores in mass
umber-brown, small, about 5 mu, the epispore reticulate as in the
preceding species.
This differs from number 1 chiefly in the cushion-like receptacle on
which the crowded sporangia are borne, and in the smaller spores. The
species originates in a plasmodium at first colorless, then white,
followed by salmon or buff tints, which pass gradually into the dark
brown of maturity. This peculiar succession of colors is perhaps more
diagnostic than the difference in habit. The spores are, however,
constantly smaller in all the specimens we have examined, and the
stipitate habit very marked.
New England, New York, south to South Carolina, and west to South
Dakota; our finest specimens are from Missouri.
3. TUBIFERA CASPARYI (_Rost._) _Macbr._
PLATE XII., Fig. 9.
1876. _Siphoptychium casparyi_ Rost., _Mon. App._, p. 32.
Sporangia closely crowded, tubular, cylindric or prismatic by mutual
pressure, connate, the apices rounded, convex, covered by a continuous
membrane, umber-brown; the peridia firm, persistent, minutely granular,
iridescent; hypothallus well developed, thin, brown, explanate;
pseudo-columellae erect, rigid, traversing many of the sporangia, and in
some instances bound back to the peridial walls by slender, membranous
bands or threads, a pseudo-capillitium; spore-mass dark brown or umber,
spores by transmitted light pale, globose, reticulate, 7.5-9 mu.
This is _Siphoptychium casparyi_ Rost. In _Bot. Gaz._, XV., p. 319, Dr.
Rex shows that the relationships of the species are with _Tubifera_;
that the so-called columella is probably an abortive sporangium, the
so-called capillitial threads having no homology with the capillitial
threads of the true columelliferous forms. It is a good species of
_Tubifera_, nothing more. The tubules are shorter than in either of the
preceding species; the spores are darker, larger, and more thoroughly
reticulate.
The plasmodium is given by Dr. Rex, _l. c._, as white, then "dull gray
tinged with sienna color," then various tones of sienna-brown, to the
dark umber of the mature aethalium.
New York, Adirondack Mountains; Allamakee Co., Iowa.
=3. Alwisia= _Berk. & Br._
PLATE XIX., Figs. 5 and 5 _a_.
1873. _Alwisia_ Berk. & Br., _Jour. Linn. Soc._, Vol. XIV., p. 86.
Sporangia ellipsoidal, clustered, stipitate; dehiscence by the falling
away of the upper part of the peridium disclosing a persisting pencil of
capillitial threads. A single species:--
1. ALWISIA BOMBARDA _Berk. & Br._
1873. _Alwisia bombarda_ Berk. & Br., _Jour. Linn. Soc._, XIV., p. 86.
Sporangia gathered in clusters of four to eight, surmounting coalescent,
or sometimes divergent stalks, rusty-brown, or pallid, the peridium
evanescent above; the coalescing stalks forming, especially below, a
clustered column, 2 mm. in height, equalling the sporangia, dull
reddish-brown in color; capillitium of rigid, tubular, generally simple
threads, attaching above by delicate tips, below by a broader sometimes
branching base, sometimes conjoined near the peridial wall, now and then
at irregular intervals inflated slightly or anon bulbose, roughened by
projecting spinules, one-third the diameter, brownish or yellow; spores
reddish-brown, faintly marked by reticulating bands over large part of
the surface, 5-5.5 mu.
This peculiar species looks at first very little like a myxomycete. The
stiff projecting hairs of the capillitium are hyphal in appearance and
under the lens recall the phycomycetes; but the spores and withal the
general structure seem to claim recognition here. Rostafinski was
inclined to make a trichia of it, because of the hair-like capillitium,
and markings on the threads, Massee found indistinct spiral markings
even, enough to suit at least the prototrichias. Mr. Lister would put it
near the tubifers. Father Torrend thinks of the dianemas, margaritas,
etc., because of simple capillitium attached above and below!
Spore-characters are probably the index most reliable, and the partial
reticulation suggests association with _Tubifera_ and for the present it
may find station there, as in the English monograph.
Rare. Collected three times: twice in Ceylon, once in Jamaica. By the
courtesy of Dr. Farlow, late lamented, we record the western specimens.
_D._ RETICULARIACEAE
Fructification aethalioid; the sporangia sometimes poorly defined,
intricately associated, borne on a common hypothallus and covered above
by a common cortex; the lateral walls variously perforate and
incomplete, form a pseudo-capillitium; spores umber or ochraceous.
=Key to the Genera of the Reticulariaceae=
_A._ Spores umber.
_a._ Sporangia wholly indeterminate, their walls much
consolidated below, fraying out above into
long, slender threads, 1. RETICULARIA
_b._ Sporangia bounded, more or less distinctly, by
broad perforate plates throughout 2. ENTERIDIUM
_B._ Spores ochraceous 3. DICTYDIAETHALIUM
=1. Reticularia= (_Bull._) _Rost._
1791. _Reticularia_ Bulliard, _Champ. de la France_, p. 95, in part.
1873. _Reticularia_ (Bulliard) Rost., _Versuch_, p. 6.
Plasmodium at first white, then pink, 'ashes of roses,' etc. Sporangia
wholly indeterminate or undefined, their walls represented (?) by a
spongy mass of so-called capillitium, consisting of membranous plates,
branching, anastomosing, vanishing without order or symmetry, generally
giving rise at the sides, and especially above, to long slender flexuous
threads; outer cortex silvery white; hypothallus distinct, white;
spore-mass and threads umber or rusty brown.
A single species,--
1. RETICULARIA LYCOPERDON (_Bull._) _Rost._
PLATE X., Figs. 7, 7 _a_; PLATE XII., Fig. 3.
1791. _Reticularia lycoperdon_ Bull., _Champ. de la France_, p. 95.
Aethalium pulvinate, 2-8 cm. broad, at first silvery white, later less
lustrous, the cortex irregularly and slowly deciduous; hypothallus at
first conspicuous as a white margin extending round the entire
aethalium, evanescent without, but persisting as a firm membrane beneath
the spore-mass, pseudo-capillitium abundant, tending to form erect
central masses which persist long after the greater part of the fruit
has been scattered by the winds; spore-mass umber, spores by transmitted
light pale, reticulate over about two-thirds of the surface, the
remainder slightly warted, 8-9 mu.
Not common. Often confused with the following, the spores of the two
forms being very much alike; the internal structure, entirely different,
and once compared, the two are thereafter easily distinguished at sight
by external characters. The sporangial make-up is indifferent, confused.
It represents a phase in development whence might issue columellae with
capillitium-branches or distinct tubular sporangia with persisting
walls; or are such structures here but reminiscent only? Compare
_Amaurochaete atra_, where similar conditions prevail. There
differentiation goes on to the formation of a structure of which
_Stemonitis_ is type; here the sporangium-wall becomes dominant; suffers
modification for spore-disposal, an idea reaching fair expression in
_Cribraria_ and _Dictydium_.
The plasmodium is white, noted Bulliard. Fries cites with approval the
words of Schweinitz,--"color corticis ab initio argenteus sericeo
nitore insignis; sed deinde sordescit e griseo in subfuscum vergens."
Sometimes the surface does indeed shine as silver!
The fructification appears to be isolated in each case; the entire
plasmodium consumed in a single plasmodiocarp.
Widely distributed. Maine to California, and south.
=2. Enteridium= _Ehrenberg_
1818. _Enteridium_ Ehrenberg, Link and Spreng., _Jahrb., Bd._ II.,
p. 55.
Fructification aethalioid; the confluent sporangia inextricably
interwoven, the walls perforate by large openings, the resultant network
of broad plates and bands widening at the points of intersection.
The genus _Enteridium_ is distinguished from _Reticularia_ chiefly by
the more perfectly developed sporangial walls. These are everywhere
membranous and do not show the abundant filiform dissipation so
characteristic of _Reticularia_. The resultant structure in
_Reticularia_ is a mass of more or less lengthened and anastomosing
threads; in _Enteridium_, an exceedingly delicate but sufficiently
persistent sponge. The "net-like, three-winged skeleton" referred to by
Rostafinski results from the union at one point of three adjoining
sporangia. Compare the section of the adjoining cells of a honeycomb.
Of this genus there are but two or three species, all so far occurring
in our territory.
=Key to the Species of Enteridium=
_A._ Fructification umber brown 1. _E. splendens_
_B._ Fructification olivaceous 2. _E. olivaceum_
_C._ Fructification minute, 1-2 mm. 3. _E. minutum_
1. ENTERIDIUM SPLENDENS _Morg._
PLATE I., Figs. 1, 1 _a_, 1 _b_; PLATE XII., Figs. 4, 5.
1876. _Reticularia_ (?) _rozeanum_ Rost., _Mon. App._, p. 33.
1889. _Enteridium rozeanum_ (Rost.) Wing., _Proc. Phil. Acad._,
p. 156.
1892. _Enteridium rozeanum_ Wingate, Macbr., _Bull. Lab. Nat. Hist.
Iowa_, II., p. 117.
1893. _Reticularia splendens_ Morg., _Jour. Cin. Soc._, p. 11.
1899. _Enteridium splendens_ Morg., Morg. _in litt._
Aethalium pulvinate, even, or somewhat irregular, unevenly swollen or
inflated, lobate or compound, covered by an exceedingly thin, generally
smooth, shining, but never white, pellicle or cortex, brown, from 1-6
cm. in diameter; hypothallus white, often wide extending; capillitium
none; the sporangial walls thin and brown forming a network as above
described; spore-mass umber, spores by transmitted light pale, about
two-thirds of the surface reticulate, the rest nearly smooth, 7-9 mu.
Very common, especially west, on decaying logs and stumps of every
description. Easily distinguished by its brown color and smooth,
shining, though uneven surface. The plasmodium as it emerges to form
fruit is pale pink or flesh color, slowly deepening to brown as maturity
advances. The first emergence is a watery white.
New England, Canada, to Minnesota and Nebraska, South Dakota.
In 1876 Rostafinski provisionally referred to the genus _Reticularia_
certain specimens received from M. Roze of Paris. Thirteen years later
in correspondence with M. Roze, Mr. Wingate satisfied himself that the
specimens discovered by Roze were the same as our common enteridium. He
therefore, _l. c._, applied to our American forms the name they have
widely borne, _E. rozeanum_. Mr. Lister, _Jour. of Botany_, Sept. '91,
applied the Rostafinskian name to certain English specimens. Thereafter
to be known as _Reticularia lobata_ Rost. and so fixed the status of
that species. From all the literature before us it appears that Mr.
Lister was right. _R. lobata_ List. (now _Liceopsis lobata_ List.)
Torr., occurs in various parts of Europe, while our American species of
_Enteridium_ is yet to be discovered on that side of the sea!
Were the latter native to the old world at all, it had surely been seen
long ago. It is large and fine, and could not have escaped the famous
collectors of the last two hundred years. Although it has been sent by
students from this side of the ocean to Europe for more than thirty
years, it has not even adventitiously appeared.
It therefore appears that our American species is known to Europe
through Mr. Wingate's reference only.
Twenty years ago in correspondence with Mr. Wingate it was learned that
the material received by him from M. Roze was but a small fragment,
crushed flat, and even this was at that time no longer in evidence. This
specimen was itself _not part of the gathering submitted to
Rostafinski_; but only the fragment of something _appearing in 1890 in
the same locality_!
... "something not the same,
But only like its forecast in men's dreams."
When we further reflect that the spores of species of several of the
forms now in review, _Tubifera_, _Reticularia_, _Enteridium_, are not
without difficulty distinguished, it is easy to see that Mr. Wingate's
specific reference has narrow foundations to say the least. It seems now
likely that Father Torrend's _Liceopsis_, _Reticulara lobata_ R., M.
Roze's aftermath, and all, are but the depauperate forms of some
tubifera!
_E. rozeanum Wing._, is therefore the synonym for an ill-defined
something in Western Europe and need not further here concern us as far
material reference goes.
In any case, what induced Mr. Wingate to pull Rostafinski's uncertain
description of a problematic form across the sea, to attach it to our
clearly defined and well known American species, changing the Polish
description the while to make it fit, is hard to understand; especially
in view of the fact, by Wingate admitted, that Rex had in his letters to
Morgan already named the American type _Enteridium umbrinum_. The two
students differed as to generic reference, and later on Morgan published
_Reticularia splendens_ Morg.; rather than _R. umbrina_ (Rex) Morg.
because he was using _R. umbrina_ Fr. for what is generally known as _R.
lycoperdon_ (_Bull._)
It would then appear that when Wingate sought to impose the
Rostafinskian specific name upon our American form by changing (fixing!)
Rostafinski's generic reference, and by re-writing the specific
description from the pages of the _Monograph_ in order to claim
identity, he was entirely without justification, especially since he
knew the species appropriately named by his colleague, Dr. Rex, and had
the name as used in the Rex and Morgan correspondence.
In brief; Mr. Wingate proceeded to re-describe Rostafinski's rozean
specimen and referred a long-known American form (very different) to the
European specimen as type. Wingate's description is right; he had the
American material before him; but his cited type is worthless, an
entirely different thing.
Does the reader care to see what the European _type_ of our common form,
Wingate _teste_, really looks like, let him consult the _Jour. of
Botany_, Vol. XXIX., p. 263, 1891.
2. ENTERIDIUM OLIVACEUM _Ehr._
1818. _Enteridium olivaceum_ Ehr.
Aethalium depressed flat, oval or elongate, .3 cm. in extent, .6 mm.
thick when fresh, glossy, smooth, greenish-olivaceous-brown; within a
spongy net-work representing sporangial walls which are thin, pale
olivaceous, perforate by circular openings, meshes surrounded by wide
plates; spores in clusters, six or more together, ovoid, distinctly
warted at the wider end, pale olivaceous, 9-11 mu.
This, the type of the genus, is a very distinct species of this by its
structure readily distinguished form. Fries thought the species might
represent a less perfectly-developed reticularia, and therefore wrote
_Reticularia olivacea_ noting, however, the clustered spores and the
lack of hypothallus.
Common, as would appear, in Europe and in S. America; rare with us.
Reported from N. Hampshire and we have one specimen from Colorado.
3. ENTERIDIUM MINUTUM _Sturg._
1917. _Enteridium minutum_ Sturg., _Mycologia_, IX, p. 328.
Aethalia rounded or elongate, pulvinate, pale umber in color, seated on a
broad membranous base, 1.5-2 mm. in diameter; wall wrinkled and usually
marked with small scattered pits, pale-yellow, membranous; walls of
component sporangia, membranous, minutely roughened, perforated with
round openings, the margins of which show many free threads; or reduced
to irregular, anastomosing strands arising from the base of the
aethalium, with membranous or net-like expansions at the angles and with
many delicate, free, pointed ends. Spores pale-yellow, usually united in
twos or threes, and ovoid or flattened on one side; when free, globose,
very minutely spinulose, 9.5-10.5.
Colorado: _Dr. Sturgis._
=3. Dictydiaethalium= _Rostafinski_
1873. _Dictydiaethalium_ Rost., _Versuch_, p. 5.
1875. _Clathroptychium_ Rost., _Mon._, p. 224.
Aethalium depressed, flat; the sporangia erect, regular, prismatic by
mutual pressure, the peridia convex above, wanting at the sides and
within the aethalium represented by vertical threads marking the angles
and passing from base to summit.
This genus is readily recognized by the internal structure of the
aethalium. The lateral wall-openings, which, as we have seen,
characterize the sporangia of the preceding genus, here become extreme,
occupying to such extent the lateral wall-space of each sporangium that
only threads remain to mark the vertical angles.
In 1873 Rostafinski applied the generic name here adopted, because he
thought he discovered close relationships with _Dictydium_. In 1875,
believing his first impressions erroneous, and desirous that the
nomenclature might not at once mislead the student and perpetuate the
memory of his own mistake, the same author proposed the name by which
the genus has generally ever since been known--_Clathroptychium_.
However sensible the latter conclusion reached by our Polish author, it
is plainly contrary to all rules of priority.
Our region shows but a single widely distributed species,--
1. DICTYDIAETHALIUM PLUMBEUM (_Schum._) _Rost._
PLATE I., Figs. 2, 2 _a_, 2 _b_.
1803. _Fuligo plumbea_ Schum., _Enum. Saell._, No. 1410.
1833. _Licea rugulosa_ Wall., _Cr. Fl. Ger._, IV., p. 345.
1873. _Dictydiaethalium plumbeum_ (Schum.) Rost., _Versuch_, p. 5.
1875. _Clathroptychium rugulosum_ (Wallr.) Rost., _Mon._, p. 225.
1894. _Dictydiaethalium plumbeum_ Rost., List., _Mycetozoa_, p. 157.
Aethalium thin, very flat, olivaceous or ochraceous, smooth, under the
lens punctate, in section showing the columnar or prismatic sporangia,
which are normally six-sided, having at the edges six simple threads,
the remains of peridium, extending from base to apex, where the peridium
remains intact, arcuate; hypothallus prominent, radiating far around the
aethalium, silvery white; spores in mass, ochraceous, or dull brownish
yellow, by transmitted light almost colorless, rough 9-10 mu.
Not rare, on decaying logs, especially of _Tilla americana_, where in
the same place successive fructifications follow each other sometimes
for weeks together in the latter part of summer and early fall. The
aethalium is generally elliptical or elongate, 2-3 cm. in extent,
sometimes irregular or branched, varying in color according to degree of
maturity, weathering, etc. Plasmodium at first watery, then pink, or
flesh-colored.
Eastern United States; common. Toronto;--_Miss Currie._
_E._ CRIBRARIACEAE
Sporangia distinct, more or less closely gregarious, stipitate, the
peridium opening, especially above, by a well-defined network formed
from thickenings in the original sporangial wall.
=Key to the Genera of the Cribrariaceae=
_A._ Peridial thickenings in form of an apical net
with definite thickenings at the intersections
of the component threads 1. CRIBRARIA
_B._ Peridial thickenings in form of parallel
meridional ribs connected by delicate
transverse threads 2. DICTYDIUM
=Cribraria= (_Pers_) _Schrader._
1794. _Cribraria_ Persoon, Roemer, _N. Bot. Mag._, I., p. 91, in part.
1797. _Cribraria_ Schrader, _Nov. Gen. Plant._, p. 1, in part.
1875. _Cribraria_ Rostafinski, _Mon._, p. 229.
Sporangia distinct, gregarious or closely crowded, globose or obovoid,
stipitate; the stipe of very varying length; the peridium simple, marked
within by distinct and peculiar, granular, thickenings, which below take
the form of radiating ribs, supporting the persisting cup, _calyculus_,
and above, by extremely delicate anastomosing branches, unite to weave a
more or less regular net with open polygonal meshes; spores various,
more often yellowish or ochraceous, sometimes brown, reddish, or
purple.
The genus _Cribraria_, as limited by Persoon, included all forms in
which the peridium is thin, evanescent half-way down, or entirely, and
in which capillitium, as Persoon regarded the case, is formed of a
network of reticulate threads surrounding the spores. Schrader redefined
the genus; opposed Persoon's view as to the capillitial nature of the
net, and separated the genus _Dictydium_, but by imperfect
limitations,--in fact, chiefly because of the more completely evanescent
peridium. Fries follows Schrader. Rostafinski first clearly separated
the two genera, and his classification is here adopted. Nevertheless,
after reviewing the subject entire one is more and more inclined to
appreciate the commendation of Fries; "Auctor Schrader, qui insuper
plurimas species detexit, et hoc et sequens genus ita proposuit ut
sequentes vix aliquid addere valuerint."
As to the habitat of the cribrarias, the remark of Schrader is still
pertinent--"in vetustissimis plenariae destructionis proximis arborum
truncis"--for all the species. Rotten, coniferous wood seems to be
preferred, but the decayed logs of trees of other orders are by no means
refused. Rotten oak forms a very common habitat.
=Key to the Species of Cribraria=
_A._ Sporangia with spores ochraceous or brownish.
_a._ Sporangia larger, .5 mm. or more.
1. Net poorly developed, sometimes merely
indicated 1. _C. argillacea_
2. Net conspicuous, nodes expanded, not swollen.
i. Calyculus reticulately thickened,
ill-defined above 2. _C. macrocarpa_
ii. Calyculus with radiant lines or ribs;
net small-meshed; free ends none 6. _C. aurantiaca_
iii. Net wide-meshed, calyx rufous 4. _C. rufa_
iv. Calyx replaced by ribs 5. _C. splendens_
3. Net conspicuous, nodules swollen.
i. Net-threads simple; free ends many 7. _C. dictydioides_
ii. Net-threads often parallel in twos
or threes 8. _C. intricata_
_b._ Sporangia small, less than .5 mm.
1. Nodes not expanded 3. _C. minutissima_
2. Nodes well shown.
i. Calyculus distinctly marked by
radiant lines, nodes round 10. _C. tenella_
ii. Calyculus minute or none;
nodes prominent 11. _C. microcarpa_
_B._ Sporangia more or less marked with purple or violet tints.
_a._ Purple or violet throughout.
1. Net poorly developed 12. _C. violacea_
2. Net well developed.
i. Meshes regular and the nodes
distinct 14. _C. elegans_
ii. Meshes and nodules irregular 13. _C. purpurea_
_b._ Purple tints confined chiefly to plasmodic
granules on the calyculus and stipe.
Net with nodes well expanded.
i. Stipe short, not more than double the
sporangium; net and calyculus both
well developed 9. _C. piriformis_
ii. Stipe many times the sporangium,
weak 15. _C. languescens_
iii. Stipe slender, sporangium
copper-colored 16. _C. cuprea_
1. CRIBRARIA ARGILLACEA _Pers._
PLATE XII., Figs. 12, 13; PLATE XVII., Fig. 1.
1791. _Stemonitis argillacea_ (Pers.) Gmel., _Syst. Nat._, II., 1469.
1796. _Cribraria argillacea_ Pers., _Obs. Myc._, I., p. 90.
Sporangia dull ochraceous-olivaceous, globose, nearly 1 mm. in diameter,
sessile or short stipitate, closely gregarious or crowded, the peridial
walls at maturity smooth, shining, except above, long persistent,
obscurely reticulate, with irregular thickenings which at the apex at
length present the appearance of an irregular, coarsely meshed net
without nodal thickenings; stipe very short, stout, erect, reddish
brown, spore-mass ochraceous, spores by transmitted light pale,
spinulose, 5-6 mu.
This species stands just on the border-line between the tubiferas and
the genus now before us. While on the one hand it possesses many
characters such as the habit, form of sporangium, which are distinctly
tubuline, on the other it shows in the upper peridial wall definite
reticulations which suggest _Cribraria_. In freshly formed sporangia the
reticulations are barely visible in the crown; later on they are more
manifest, until, as spore-dispersal proceeds; the cribraria characters
come out with sufficient distinctness, and in empty sporangia the
reticulations may be seen to affect the entire peridial wall. The nodes
are not expanded. The spores are pale by transmitted light, spinulose,
about 6 mu. Plasmodium lead-colored. Found sometimes in large patches on
rotten logs of various species. Not uncommon. Cf. _Lindbladia effusa_.
New England, New York, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Ohio, Illinois,
Iowa, Washington; Canada.
2. CRIBRARIA MACROCARPA _Schrader._
PLATE XVII., Fig. 2.
1797. _Cribraria macrocarpa_ Schrad., _Nov. Gen. Plant._, p. 8.
Sporangia more or less closely gregarious, yellowish brown, pear-shaped
or obovate, large, .8-1 mm. in diameter, stipitate; stipe brown
furrowed, erect or often nodding, about equal to the sporangium or
longer; calyculus distinct, marked by numerous dark brown radiating
ribs, iridescent, perforate above, deeply dentate, and merging gradually
into the elegant network, of which the dark nodes are more distinctly
expanded about half way up, less so at the apex and below, the filaments
exceedingly delicate, simple, with occasional free ends projecting into
the small meshes; spore-mass yellowish, spores by transmitted light
almost colorless, minutely roughened, 5-6 mu.
Perhaps the most striking characteristic of the present species, aside
from its large size, is the peculiarly perforated cup or calyculus.
Schrader's artist failed him here completely. The structure is
exceedingly delicate, the peridium between the ribs and reticulations
reduced to the last degree of tenuity, with the iridescence of the
soap-bubble, here and there lapsed entirely. Withal the structure seems
firm enough and persists until all the spores are dissipated by the
wind.
Easily distinguished from the preceding, its only rival in size, by the
obovate or turbinate, netted sporangium, its much longer stem, and flat,
perfectly formed nodes.
Rare. New York, North Carolina, South Carolina, Oregon; Toronto,
Canada.
3. CRIBRARIA MINUTISSIMA _Schweinitz._
PLATE XVII., Figs. 6, 6 _a_.
1832. _Cribraria minutissima_ Schw., _N. A. F._, No. 2362.
Sporangia scattered, orange or nut-brown, very minute, .1-.3 mm. or
less, globose or ellipsoidal, stipitate, erect or nodding; hypothallus
none; stipe short, 1-3 times the sporangium, filiform, tapering upward,
brown; the calyculus variable, sometimes well marked and separated from
the net when fully mature, by a shallow constriction, more commonly
small or entirely wanting, especially in the spherical sporangia; net
simple, large meshed, without nodal expansions, the threads flattened;
spore-mass yellow, spores by transmitted light, pale, nearly smooth, 5-6
mu.
A most beautiful tiny species. Generally in all the specimens before us,
a perfect, spherical net, firm enough to retain its place and structure
after all the spores have been scattered. When mature the spore-mass
seems to roll about as a ball, freely within the net, the spores being
thus gradually dispersed. The calyculus when present is without veins.
_C. minima_ Berk. & C., and _C. microscopica_ Berk. & C. are doubtless
the same thing. _Grev._, II., p. 67, 1823. See also _Bot. Gaz._, XIX.,
397.
Rare. Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Missouri, Iowa; Black Hills, South
Dakota.
4. CRIBRARIA RUFA (_Roth_) _Rost._
PLATE XIX., Fig. 8.
1788. _Stemonitis rufa_ Roth, _Fl. Germ._, I., p. 548.
1794. _Cribraria rufescens_ Pers., Roemer, _N. Mag. Bot._, I.,
p. 91.
1797. _Cribraria fulva_ Schrad., _Nov. Gen. Pl._, p. 5.
Sporangia scattered, sub-globose or turbinate, dark or reddish orange,
.5-.7 mm. in diameter, erect, stipitate; stipe about equalling the
height of the sporangium or longer, dark brown or black; calyculus
one-third to one-half the sporangium, the margin toothed, the wall
ribbed and continuous with the open wide-meshed net; the network deep
yellow or orange, the threads flattened; the nodes not thickened, little
differentiated; spores concolorous, by transmitted light, pale yellow,
verruculose, 5-7 mu.
Similar to the preceding, but generally much larger and not so much
inclined to brown. The size, however, is extremely variable in sporangia
from the same plasmodium (reported white), some no larger than those of
the species reckoned most minute.
Oregon. _Professor Morton Peck._
5. CRIBRARIA SPLENDENS (_Schrader_) _Rost._
PLATE XIX., Fig. 10.
1797. _Dictydium splendens_ Schrad., _Nov. Gen._, p. 14.
1801. _Cribraria splendens_ (Schrad.) Pers., _Syn. Fung._, p. 191.
Sporangia gregarious, globose, dusky yellow when filled with spores,
dull or dusky brown when these are discharged, stipitate; stipe long,
3-4 times the sporangium, subulate, erect-nodding, brown; hypothallus
none; network brown, with large meshes, imperfectly defined nodes and
flattened threads; calyculus none, its place supplied by nine or ten
distinct, firm ribs which radiate from the stipe and support the net,
branching to blend with its reticulations; spore-mass yellow, spores by
transmitted light, colorless, smooth or nearly so, 6-7.5 mu.
Of this species two specimens only are before us, one from Muscatine
County, Iowa, and one from Washington (state). The species seems thus to
have wide range, but to be exceedingly rare. It differs from all other
American forms, so far described, in the peculiar development of the
calyculus. Rostafinski emphasizes the persistence of the peridial wall
and the peculiar gleaming of the metallic tints, displayed by all the
structures. These particulars we have not been able to verify. Such
characters may be incident to age or conditions of development. At all
events, in forms which in all other respects seem to agree exactly with
Rostafinski's descriptions, the colors are dull and without any
noticeable iridescence. The spores in our specimens are also a little
larger than quoted. Rostafinski gives 5-6 mu; Massee, 5-7 mu.
6. CRIBRARIA AURANTIACA _Schrader._
PLATE XVII., Fig. 3, and XIX., Fig. 7.
1797. _Cribraria aurantiaca_ Schrad., _Nov. Gen. Pl._, p. 5.
Sporangia gregarious, spherical, dusky or yellowish stipitate, nodding;
the calyculus variable, generally prominent, more or less distinctly
marked by fine, delicate radiating venules, the margin denticulate, the
teeth numerous and slender, supporting the well-defined globose net;
network made up of very tenuous threads, forming rather small irregular
brownish nodules and showing only here and there a free extremity; stipe
generally short, two or three times the diameter of the sporangium,
sometimes longer, tapering upward, brown, slender, arcuate above;
spore-mass yellow or ochraceous, spores by transmitted light, colorless,
5-6 mu, almost smooth.