This widely distributed and very variabl_The North American Slime-Moulds A Descriptive List of All Species of Myxomycetes Hitherto Reported from the Continent of North America, with Notes on Some Extra-Limital Species

recognized by the large sporangia, .5-.9 mm., comparatively short stipe,

simple net, and more or less orange color. The color is an uncertain

thing even in the sporangia, which rise from one plasmodium. Schrader,

however, made this feature so far diagnostic that he placed the more

pronouncedly yellow forms in the species _C. aurantiaca_ and set off as

_C. vulgaris_ forms in which more dusky tints prevail. The dark-colored

forms have also usually longer stipes, but so much is dependent upon the

climatic conditions prevalent at the time of fruiting, that this feature

also is indeterminate. Rostafinski's figures, 21 and 26, Tab. II., show

the characteristic nodules and the typical net structure. It is to be

observed that Fig. 21 represents higher magnification; otherwise the two

figures are very much alike.

New England, New York, Pennsylvania, Maryland and South, Ohio,

Washington, California; Canada, Toronto.

7. CRIBRARIA DICTYDIOIDES _Cke. & Balf._

PLATE I., Figs. 5, 5 _a_, 5 _b_, and XIX., 6, 6 _a_, 6 _b_.

1881. _Cribraria dictydioides_ Cke. & Balf., _Rav. Fung. Am._, 475.

Sporangia gregarious, of medium size, globose, cernuous, stipitate; the

stipe long, slender, tapering upwards, dull brown in color; hypothallus

none; the calyculus variable, sometimes well developed, as in _C.

aurantiaca_, sometimes rudimentary or represented only by irregular,

node-like ribs; the network delicate, the meshes small, few-sided; the

nodules large, prominent, brown, irregular, with several radiating,

free, projecting threads, beside the single continuous filaments which

pass from node to node; spore-mass pale, ochraceous; spores nearly

smooth, colorless, 5-7 mu.

This seems to be the most common _Cribraria_ in the Mississippi valley.

It is generally distinguished by the scant calyculus and the beautiful

richness of its clear delicate net. The stellate nodules especially

above, emit filamental rays in all directions, but are, notwithstanding,

united by single, unpaired threads only. The calyculus is often entirely

absent, and this has been supposed the typical condition; but, on the

contrary, there often may present itself a cup as distinct as in _C.

aurantiaca_. See, for this variation, _Bot. Gaz._ XIX., p. 398. The

rather large sporangia, .6-.7 mm., the nodes joined by single threads,

the remaining radiant threads, many or few, but very short--these seem

to be the most distinctly diagnostic characters, and these are

sufficiently constant to separate this species easily from _C.

intricata_ on the one hand and _C. tenella_ on the other. Mr. Lister

considers this merely a form of the next species.

Abundant on rotten logs of every sort, especially oak; common on the

lower side of rotting pine planks in wooden walks along the streets

everywhere. N. A. F., 2095, seems to belong here.

Pennsylvania, Ohio, North Carolina, Missouri, Illinois, Iowa, Nebraska.

8. CRIBRARIA INTRICATA (_Schrad._) _Rost._

1797. _Cribraria intricata_ Schrad., _Nov. Gen. Pl._, p. 7.

Sporangia gregarious, globose, large, .7-1 mm. in diameter, nut-brown or

olivaceous, erect, stipitate; stipe long, slender, purplish brown,

flexuous; calyculus variable, sometimes occupying one-third of the

sphere, when it is delicately costate, concolorous with the stipe, and

passes over to the net by a distinctly toothed or serrulate margin,

sometimes represented by irregular ribs or costae only; net well

differentiated, the threads delicate, transparent, yellow, connecting

large black nodules, running from one to the other in pairs or sometimes

three together, free ends not numerous, the meshes few-sided, often

triangular; spores in mass, dull olivaceous, under the lens pallid,

nearly smooth, 6-7 mu.

A very rare species, if indeed it occur in this country. At least the

form figured by Rostafinski, Tab. II., Fig. 27, and Massee, Pl. 1, Fig.

11, has not come to our notice. The parallelism of the net threads is a

touch added by Rostafinski; Schrader does not mention it. Lister makes

this species include the preceding. The form described in _Bull. Lab.

Nat. Hist. Ia._ II., p. 119, is _C. dictydioides_.

Reported from New York, New England and Pennsylvania.

In the English _Monograph_ we are repeatedly assured that this species

is common in the United States. The statement is made possible only by

the inclusion of the form originally described from America and truly

abundant east of the Rocky Mountains, _C. dictydioides_ Cke. & Balf.;

_C. intricata_, by all accounts, just as preeminently the species of

Europe. It is true that Schrader did not emphasize the parallel

connecting threads by which later authorities distinguish the form; he

had little occasion so to do, even did his figures intend accuracy in

each detail, which they did not, and Rostafinski's, though his drawing

is a diagram, certainly knew what he was doing. Cooke, in his list for

Great Britain, quotes the Polish text without dissent, and Massee

follows and illustrates; so that there can be no doubt as to what the

European species is.

In any cribraria the presence or relative obsolesence, of the calyculus

is of little taxonomic import since that structure is variable in every

species. In the latest edition of Mr. Lister's work, the American form

is entered as a variety in "hot-houses"; apparently adventitious; it is

indeed related to the European form but is a geographic species.

9. CRIBRARIA PIRIFORMIS _Schrader._

PLATE XVII., Fig. 9; PLATE XIX., Fig. 9.

1797. _Cribraria piriformis_ Schrad., _Nov. Gen. Pl._, p. 4.

Sporangia gregarious, small, .3-.5 mm., turbinate or globose, erect,

purplish brown, stipitate; stipe comparatively short, tapering upward,

longitudinally furrowed, purple or brown; calyculus very well defined,

about one-third the sporangium, not ribbed, flattened or even umbilicate

below, the margin plainly denticulate, dusky brown; the net simple, the

meshes large, triangular, with few free ends; the nodules small,

globose or undifferentiated, slightly convex or flat; spore mass dull,

yellowish brown; spores by transmitted light pale ochraceous or

salmon-tinted, nearly smooth, 5-6 mu.

Schrader defined this beautiful form chiefly by its shape. This, though

variable, is yet generally so far pyriform as to show distinct

contraction toward the stipe. The well-defined calyculus is narrowed

below and eroded or denticulate above. The cyanic tints due to the

presence on the calyculus of radiating lines of purplish granules about

one-half the size of the spores, the net open, uniform, the stipe rather

stout, short, and distinctly furrowed, rising often from a small

hypothallus--these are marks of this species. The net suggests _C.

tenella_, but the latter species is much smaller, has a different stem,

much longer and unfurrowed. The cup here is more nearly that of some

form of _C. intricata_, but is better defined, passing into the net very

abruptly by the simple intervention of projecting teeth.

Apparently rare. Our specimens are from New York, through the courtesy

of Dr. Rex, Virginia, North Carolina, Iowa, Oregon, Colorado, and

represent, as usual a modification of the European type, _C. notabilis_

Rex. Miss Lister, _Mon., 2nd ed._, writes var. _notabilis_.

Colorado forms are remarkable for dense brown coloration.

10. CRIBRARIA TENELLA _Schrader._

PLATE XVII., Fig. 5.

1797. _Cribraria tenella_ Schrad., _Nov. Gen. Pl._, p. 6.

Sporangia gregarious, small, .3-.5 mm. in diameter or smaller,

olivaceous or ochraceous, long-stipitate, nodding; stipe slender, dark

brown or blackish, very long, reaching 6 mm., weak and flexuous;

calyculus variable, sometimes well defined, brown, costate, sometimes

represented by the costae only connected by a thin, transparent membrane;

net well differentiated, the meshes small, irregular, the nodes small,

black, more or less globular, prominent, connected by transparent

threads with occasional or a few free ends; spores in mass,

olivaceous-ochraceous, under the lens pallid, globose, smooth, 5-7 mu.

Very common eastward and south, on the weathered surface of rotten wood.

Generally easily recognized by its very long stipe, small, globose

sporangium dotted with numerous small roundish nodules projecting

plainly above the general surface. The obconic calyculus is always

represented in the outline if not in definite structure.

New England, New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Tennessee, Illinois,

Missouri, Iowa, Canada; Toronto,--_Miss Currie._

11. CRIBRARIA MICROCARPA (_Schrad._) _Persoon._

PLATE XVII., Fig. 4.

1797. _Dictydium microcarpum_ Schrad., _Nov. Gen. Pl._, p. 13.

1801. _Cribraria microcarpa_ Schrad., Pers., _Syn._, p. 190.

1875. _Cribraria microcarpa_ (Schrad.) Rost., _Mon._, p. 235.

1892. _Cribraria microcarpa_ Schrad., Massee, _Mon._, p. 63.

1893. _Cribraria microcarpa_ Schrad., Morg., _Myx. Mi. Vall._, p. 15.

1899. _Cribraria microcarpa_ Schrad., Macbr., _N. A. S._, p. 168.

1911. _Cribraria microcarpa_ Pers., Lister, _Mycetozoa, 2nd ed._,

p. 183 (?).

Sporangia loosely gregarious, very small, .2-.3 mm. in diameter, yellow

ochraceous, stipitate, nodding; stipe comparatively stout, dark brown or

blackish, tapering upward, often twisted at the apex as in _D.

cancellatum_; calyculus none, represented by simple ribs which give off

at intervals free or floating branchlets before blending into the common

net; net well developed, the meshes large, the nodes small, irregular,

though often rounded and prominent, black, connected by delicate

transparent threads, with free ends few or none; spore-mass yellow,

fading to ochraceous; spores pale, smooth, globose, 6-7 mu.

This species resembles at first sight the preceding, and has been often

mistaken for it. As a matter of fact, the distinctions are generally

very sharp. In the first place, the sporangia, when carefully measured,

are seen to be not more than half as great in diameter; the meshes of

the net, on the other hand, are much wider, the whole structure more

compact. The nodules are like those of _tenella_, but are much fewer.

The stipe is shorter, the cup wanting, and the costae are few and simple.

The color suggests _C. aurantiaca_. The habitat and distribution as _C.

tenella_.

To anyone who will read the account of the species as given by the

English _Mon., 2nd ed._, p. 183, it is immediately apparent that the

author has in mind a different form from that seen and described in our

territory and previously noted by the authors of Europe. These from

Schrader down, agree in portraying a brunescent form with yellow spores;

Mr. Lister enters it with the cyanic series and so describes and figures

it throughout. Schrader figures a nut-brown species; Rostafinski uses

that descriptive term in connection with the general appearance when

fresh, but gives the spore-mass yellow; only in the stipe does he find

another tint, nut-brown-purple. The figure, 145 in the _Monograph_ now

before us portrays, except in color, our _C. tenella_ exactly. Dr. Rex,

_Bot. Gaz._, XIX., 398, compares the present species with _C.

minutissima_, and _C. tenella_ with _C. dictydioides_; which is correct

for the American presentation of the species named. _C. dictydioides_ is

certainly our presentation of _C. intricata_, a geographic species at

the least; but if _C. microcarpa_ is purple we have of it no

representation; our forms under that name are closely related to _C.

tenella_, a yellow-spored species, and might perhaps be there referred;

have, however, somewhat larger spores.

12. CRIBRARIA VIOLACEA _Rex._

PLATE XVII., Fig. 8.

1891. _Cribraria violacea_ Rex, _Proc. Phil. Acad._, p. 393.

Sporangia scattered or gregarious, very small, .2 mm. in diameter,

violet tinted, erect, stipitate short, about one-half the total height,

concolorous, slender, tapering upward; calyculus crateriform,

persistent, or marked with minute plasmodic granules; the net

rudimentary or poorly developed, the meshes large, irregular, the

nodules also large triangular, violaceous; spores pale violet in mass,

by transmitted light reddish, 7-8 mu, minutely warted.

A very minute but well-marked species discovered by Dr. Rex in

Wissahickon Park, near Philadelphia, otherwise very rare. Lister,

however, reports it from England. In minuteness to be compared with _C.

minutissima_, from which its color instantly distinguishes it. Dr. Rex

reports the plasmodium as "violet black." All our specimens are on very

rotten wood, basswood, _Tilia americana_.

Pennsylvania, Illinois, Iowa.

13. CRIBRARIA PURPUREA _Schrad._

1797. _Cribraria purpurea_ Schrad., _Nov. Gen. Pl._, p. 8.

Sporangia gregarious, large, 1 mm. in diameter, dark purple, erect,

stipitate, depressed-globose; stipe concolorous, furrowed, about twice

the diameter of the sporangium in length, with a distinct hypothallus;

calyculus persistent, less than half the sporangium, obscurely ribbed,

marked by concentric plications, the margin toothed; the net poorly

differentiated, the meshes irregular in form and size, as are also the

flat, unthickened nodes, the threads pale, free ends short and not

numerous; spore-mass purple; spores by transmitted light, pale or

colorless, 5-6 mu, smooth.

Rare. Found on rotten coniferous wood in deep forests. Easily recognized

by its large size and uniform purple color. To the next species it

offers a general resemblance, but has larger sporangia and an entirely

different net. The plasmodium just before the formation of the fruit is

scarlet.

Maine, New York, Pennsylvania, Ontario, Oregon, Colorado.

14. CRIBRARIA ELEGANS _Berk. & C._

1873. _Cribraria elegans_ Berk. & Curt., _Grev._, II., p. 67.

Sporangia gregarious, erect or nodding, small, .4-.5 mm., bright purple,

stipitate; stipe long, slender, tapering upward, almost black, arising

from a scanty hypothallus; calyculus about half the sporangium, finely

ribbed, covered especially above with small purple granules, the margin

toothed or perforate; net well developed, the meshes small, polygonal,

the threads delicate, colorless, with many free ends, the nodules

dark-colored, numerous and somewhat prominent; spore-mass pale purple;

spores by transmitted light pale violaceous, smooth, 6-6.5 mu.

To be compared with the preceding. The small-meshed net with

well-defined, dark-colored nodules is distinctive, aside from the fact

of the much smaller sporangia. The stipe is also different, more

slender, smooth, and dark-colored. The habitat of the two species

appears to be the same. The present species is much more common, ranges

farther west, and is to be looked for on the Pacific coast.

New York, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Missouri, Iowa; Black Hills,

South Dakota.

15. CRIBRARIA LANGUESCENS _Rex._

1891. _Cribraria languescens_ Rex, _Proc. Phil. Acad._, p. 394.

Sporangia scattered, very minute, .25-.35 mm., spherical,

long-stipitate, drooping; stipe 2.5-3 mm., slender, flexuous, subulate,

rugulose; calyculus about one-third the sporangium, reddish brown,

shining, minutely striate with granular lines, the margin more or less

regularly serrate; net reddish brown, the meshes triangular and the

threads simple, the nodes large, polygonal, flat, but well

differentiated; the spores when fresh dull red in mass, paling with age;

by transmitted light colorless, 6 mu, smooth.

A very singular species, easily recognizable by its long, slender

stipes, terminating in exceedingly small spherical sporangia. The colors

are obscure, but the striations on the calyculus are violet-tinted, and

the reds perhaps predominate elsewhere. "In its scattered and solitary

growth, its tall, slender stipes, and relaxed habit it resembles _C.

microcarpa_, in its network it approaches _C. tenella_, and its spores

have the color of the paler form of _C. purpurea_." So Dr. Rex, _l. c._

Western forms of the first-named species have much shorter stipes; the

network in the specimens before us is unlike that of _C. tenella_, but

resembles that of _C. purpurea_.

Rare, on very rotten wood, in the forest. New York, Ohio, South

Carolina, Ontario.

16. CRIBRARIA CUPREA _Morgan._

PLATE XVII., Fig. 7.

1893. _Cribraria cuprea_ Morg., _Jour. Cin. Soc_., p. 16.

Sporangium very small, .33 mm., oval or somewhat obvoid, copper-colored,

stipitate, nodding; stipe concolorous or darker below, subulate, curved

at the apex, 2-4 times the sporangium; calyculus about one-half the

sporangium, finely ribbed and granulose within, the margin nearly even;

the net rather rudimentary, the meshes large, triangular or

quadrilateral, the nodules also large, flat, concolorous, the threads

slender, transparent, with free ends few; spores in mass copper-colored,

by transmitted light colorless, smooth, 6-7 mu.

Recognizable by its small size and peculiar color, that of bright

copper, although this fades somewhat with age, and the metallic tints

are then lacking. Related to the preceding and in specimens having

globular sporangia closely resembling it; but the ground color in _C.

languescens_ is always darker, and the stipe proportionally much longer.

In habit the sporangia are widely scattered, much more than is common in

the species of this genus. Miss Lister, _2nd ed._ regards this as a var.

of No. 15.

Comparatively rare. Before us is one very small colony of sporangia from

Iowa, one from Ohio, and a large number from Missouri. If one may judge

from the material at hand, the favorite habitat is very rotten basswood,

_Tilia americana_.

=2. Dictydium= (_Schrad._) _Rost._

Sporangia distinct, gregarious, globose or depressed-globose, stipitate,

cernuous; the peridium very delicate, evanescent, thickened on the

inside by numerous meridional costae which are joined at frequent

intervals by fine transverse threads more or less parallel to each

other, forming a persistent network of rectangular meshes.

The ribs or costae of the spore-case radiate from the top of the stipe

and unite again at the top of the sporangium in a feeble, irregular net.

Schrader, _Nov. Gen. Pl._, p. 11, 1797, applied the name _Dictydium_ to

all _Cribraria_-like species in which the calyculus was wanting. Fries

follows this, _Syst. Myc._, III., p. 164. Rostafinski, _Versuch_, p. 5,

_Mon._, p. 229, first correctly limits the genus and separates it from

_Cribraria_. 1873-75.

A single species is widely distributed throughout the world,--

1. DICTYDIUM CANCELLATUM (_Batsch_) _Macbr._

PLATE I., Figs. 6, 6 _a_ and PLATE XIX., Figs. 1, 1 _a_, 1 _b_, 1 _c_,

2, 3.

1789. _Mucor cancellatus_ Batsch, _Elench. Fung._, II., p. 131.

1797. _Dictydium umbilicatum_ Schrad., _Nov. Gen. Pl._, p. 11.

1801. _Cribraria cernua_ Pers., _Syn._, p. 189.

1816. _Dictydium cernuum_ Nees, _Syst. d. Pilz._, p. 117.

1875. _Dictydium cernuum_ (Pers.) Rost., _Mon._, p. 229.

1893. _Dictydium longipes_ Morg., _Cin. Soc. Jour._, p. 17, in part.

Sporangia gregarious, depressed globose, nodding, the apex at length

umbilicate, stipitate, in color brown, or brownish purple; the stipe

varying much in length from two to ten times the diameter of the

sporangium, attaining 5-6 mm., generally erect, more or less twisted and

pallid at the apex, below dark brown, with hypothallus small or none;

calyculus often wanting, when present a mere film connecting the ribs of

the net; the net made up chiefly of meridional ribs connected at

intervals by transverse parallel threads, above an open _Cribraria_-like

network closing the apex and more or less rudimentary; the spores

varying in color through all shades of brown and purple when seen in

mass, by transmitted light reddish, 5-7 mu, smooth or nearly so.

This species in the United States is one of the most variable in the

whole group. The extremes of such variation might easily constitute

types for several distinct species were it not that in all directions

the varieties shade into each other so completely as to defy definition.

We have before us specimens purple throughout and short-stemmed; purple

with stem long, pale and twisted at apex; brown, with the same

variations; short-stemmed, with the apex of the stem pallid, and

long-stemmed, with and without the same peculiarity. Morgan (_Cin. Soc.

Nat. Hist. Jour._, 1893) would set off the purple, long-stemmed forms as

_D. longipes_, "stipe three to five times the sporangium," but here are

forms in which the stem is ten times the diameter of the sporangium,

which yet possess in all other particulars the characters of the

short-stemmed forms. European forms also vary. Massee figures one type;

Lister, one or two others; Rostafinski's figure indicates a taller form;

Fries says, "Stipes elongatus, peridio quinquies et ultra longior." It

seems reasonable to suppose that the variation is largely due to

atmospheric conditions at the time of fruiting. The purple forms may be

cases of arrested development, since the plasmodium appears to be in all

cases purple, or at least they seem to represent those plasmodia which

have failed of normal ripening. We may recognize two or three general

types, distinguished primarily by color:--

a. _D. cancellatum cancellatum._--Sporangia clear brown or with only a

purplish tinge, the stipe tapering upward, and in extreme cases

perfectly white at the twisted apex. The stipe in length ranges from

three to ten times the diameter of the sporangium. The reticulations of

the net are generally small and the ribs numerous. This is the most

highly differentiated, finished type of the species.

b. _D. cancellatum purpureum._--Sporangium dark, the purple tints

predominating, the stipe tapering upward, more or less twisted at the

paler, sometimes almost colorless, apex. The stipe ranges a little

shorter than in the preceding variety, three to seven times the

sporangium. The reticulations of the net are often coarse, the ribs

being fewer; the whole structure weak and showing signs of imperfect

development.

The figures, 1, 1 _a_, 1 _b_, 1 _c, l. c._, illustrate the ideal

accomplishment in form (a). The color is a clear definite brown with no

suggestion of purple anywhere. The stipes are three or four times the

diameter of the sporangium, brown below, white above, and twisted to

allow the sporangium to hang inverted. This is complete in every part; a

definite bell-shaped calyx, widening into the cancellate receptacle, the

margin constricted, and closed at last by the apical net, _cribrum_,

sign of the order.

In form (b), the structure is similar but by no means so symmetrical and

complete. The calyx often fails, or is present by obscure indications

only. The cancellation is coarser, the number of ribs fewer, the whole

sporangium more or less globose; ferruginous or purple, the prevailing

tint. Figs. on Pl. 1. are from the ferruginous type.

Figure 3 represents a beautiful thing; cup-less, ellipsoidal, delicate,

of average size and in every way well-proportioned, clear rosy brown in

color.

This may stand for a third variety; (c) _D. cancellatum prolatum_.

Common everywhere. The fruit appears in June on decaying logs and stumps

of various species of deciduous trees, conifers, etc., the finest, and

greatest variety, are from southern Missouri.

ORDER IV

=LYCOGALALES=

Fructification aethalioid; peridium membranaceous, tough, simple, without

vesiculose with protoplasmic masses, within gelatinous; the capillitium

of cortical origin, consisting of irregular lobate or branching tubules,

varying much in width, and marked by numerous corrugations, irregular

warts or bands; spores minute, ashen or pallid.

This order includes but a single genus,--

=Lycogala= _Micheli._

1729. _Lycogala_ Micheli, _Nov. Plant. Gen._, pp. 216, 217.

1753. _Lycoperdon_ Linn. _Syst. Nat._, in part.

1794. _Lycogala_ Persoon, Roemer, _N. Bot. Mag._, p. 87.

Micheli's description and figures, _Nov. Plant. Gen._, pp. 216, 217,

Tab. 95, leave no doubt but that this illustrious man had species of

_Lycogala_ before him when he described the genus. His figure 1. no

doubt portrays the second species in our present list. More recent

writers, from Persoon down, have used Micheli's designation, but

differed in regard to the limits to which the name should be applied. It

is here used substantially as in 1729. Fries and, after him, Rostafinski

make a mistake in quoting Retzius as writing _Lycogala_ (1769). Retzius

wrote _Lycoperdon sessile; Kongl. Vetenskaps Acad. Handling, foer Ar._

1769, p. 254.

=Key to the Species of Lycogala=

_A._ Aethalia irregularly globose.

_a._ Cortex minutely roughened or warted; about

12 mm. in diameter 1. _L. epidendrum_

_b._ Cortex smooth, size large 2. _L. flavo-fuscum_

_c._ Cortex rough; diameter 6 mm. or less 3. _L. exiguum_

_B._ Aethalia conical 4. _L. conicum_

1. LYCOGALA EPIDENDRUM (_Buxb._) _Fries._

1721. _Lycoperdon epidendron_, etc., Buxb., _En. Pl. Hal._, p. 203.

1753. _Lycoperdon epidendrum_ Linn., _Sp. Pl._, p. 1184.

1829. _Lycogala epidendrum_ (Buxb.) Fries, _Syst. Myc._ III., p. 80.

Aethalia solitary or clustered, depressed spherical, or, when crowded,

irregular, olivaceous or blackish, minutely warted, 3-10 mm. in

diameter, dehiscing irregularly, but more often near the apex; peridium

thin, but tough and persistent, made up of numerous agglutinated tubules

enclosing in their mashes peculiar cell-like vesicles; capillitium

parietal, consisting of long, branching, and anastomosing flattened

tubules extended inwardly among the spores, everywhere marked by

transverse wrinkles, ridges, and warts, the free ends of the ultimate

branchlets rounded, concolorous with the spores; spore-mass, when fresh,

rosy, or ashen with a rosaceous or purplish tinge, becoming with age

sordid or ochraceous, spores by transmitted light colorless, minutely

roughened or reticulate, 5-6 mu.

This is not only a cosmopolitan species, but is no doubt, the most

common slime-mould in the world. Found everywhere on decaying wood of

all sorts, more particularly on that of deciduous trees. It has likewise

been long the subject of observation. It is doubtless the "_Fungus

coccineus_" of Ray, 1690, and the type of Micheli's genus as here, 1729.

The different colors assumed, from the rich scarlet of the emerging

plasmodium to the glistening bronze of the newly formed aethalium, have

suggested various descriptive names,--as _L. miniata_ Pers., _L.

chalybeum_ of Batsch, and _L. plumbea_ Schum. The peridium is by authors

described as double. This is for description only. In structure the

outer and inner peridium completely blend. The outer is predominately

vesiculose, the inner more gelatinous. For discussion of the microscopic

structure see under the next species.

Common. New England, west to Nebraska, South Dakota, Colorado,

Washington, Oregon, California; Alberta to Nicaragua.

_Lycogala terrestre_ Fr., _Syst. Myc._, III., 83, appears to be a

variety of the present species. In spores and capillitial thread the

forms are indistinguishable; the difference is a matter of size, and to

some extent, of the color of the wall. The specimens are a little

larger, depressed and angular. The peridium is paler, smoother, though

sometimes almost black, thin, ruptured irregularly. But the form and

color of the peridium in the sporocarps of the older species vary much

in response to external conditions; on a substratum affording scant

nutrition the forms of fructification are minute; and in all cases, if

maturity be hastened, the peridium responds in darker colors. Under more

favorable conditions the wall is smoother and brighter.

2. LYCOGALA FLAVO-FUSCUM (_Ehr._) _Rost._

1818. _Diphtherium flavo-fuscum_ Ehr., _Syl. Myc. Berol._, p. 27.

1829. _Reticularia flavo-fusca_ (Ehr.) Fries, _Syst. Myc._, III.,

p. 88.

1873. _Lycogala flavo-fuscum_ (Ehr.) Rost., _Versuch_, p. 3.

Aethalia solitary or sometimes two or three together, large 2-4 cm. in

diameter, spherical or spheroidal, purplish-gray or brown, smooth,

shining; the peridium thick, simple but in microscopic section showing

two or three successive layers; capillitium of abundantly branching,

irregular, transparent tubules, marked by numberless warts and

transverse rings or wrinkles, spores in mass yellowish gray, by

transmitted light, colorless, smooth or only faintly reticulate or

roughened, 5-6 mu.

This, one of the largest and most striking of the slime-moulds, is by

students generally mistaken for a puff-ball. It occurs on stumps and

rotten logs of various sorts in the Mississippi valley, more often

affecting stumps of _Acer saccharinum_ L. The fructification, when

solitary, about the size of a walnut, though sometimes larger; when

clustered, the individuals are smaller. The form depends largely upon

the place in which the fruit is formed. The plasmodic mass is so large

that its form is determined by gravity. Thus on the lower surface of a

log raised a little distance from the earth the aethalium is often

pyriform. This fact did not escape Micheli. See _Nov. Plant. Gen._, Tab.

95. The plasmodium is pale pink, soon becomes buff when exposed in

fruiting, finally pallid or somewhat livid, and is outwardly changed

into the stout, tough peridium. This consists of an intricate network of

irregular gelatinous tubules enclosing within the meshes protoplasmic

masses of pretty uniform size, 60-100 mu. Outwardly the protoplasmic

vesicles predominate; inwardly the gelatinous tubules, which are, in

some instances at least, continued toward the centre of fructification

to form the capillitium. The protoplasmic masses referred to respond to

ordinary stains, are often broken into numberless small cells

corresponding in size and appearance to ordinary spores.

Not common. New England, Ohio, Iowa. Perhaps more abundant in the

Mississippi valley; Canada.

3. LYCOGALA EXIGUUM _Morg._

1893. _Lycogala exiguum_ Morg., _Jour. Cin. Soc._, p. 8.

Aethalia small, 2-5 mm. in diameter, gregarious, globose, dark brown or

black, sessile, minutely scaly, irregularly dehiscent; the peridium

thin, the vesicles comparatively few, in irregular patches which are

more or less confluent; capillitium as in preceding species, the tubules

slender and branching; spore-mass pale, ochraceous, spores by

transmitted light colorless, almost smooth, 5-6 mu.

Found in the same situations as No. 1, and at the same season.

Recognizable by its _gregarious_ habit, not crowded nor superimposed,

small size, and dusky color. The little spheres occur a dozen or more in

a place, dark lead-colored, shading to black, opening rather regularly

at the top. It looks like a depauperate _L. epidendrum_, but seems to be

constantly collected.

Our specimens are from Ohio, Iowa, Missouri, Canada.

4. LYCOGALA CONICUM _Pers._

1801. _Lycogala conica_ Pers., _Syn. Fung._, p. 159.

1875. _Dermodium conicum_ (Pers.) Rost., _Mon._, p. 284.

Aethalia scattered, sometimes two or three together, small 2-4 mm. high,

conical, sessile, pallid, grayish brown, marked by obscure black

reticulations, opening regularly at the somewhat acuminate tip; peridium

thin in structure, as in _L. epidendrum_, but more delicate; capillitium

made up of abundant, slender, uniform threads almost smooth, simple, the

free ends obtuse, taking origin in the cortex much as in the preceding

species; spores in mass ochraceous, by transmitted light colorless,

minutely warted or faintly reticulate, about 5 mu.

A very distinct and rare little species. Well described by Persoon, who

also appears to have observed the plasmodium "_primo rubra_." The color

of the mature form varies with age; at first somewhat purplish. Dr. Rex

collected it in Pennsylvania; Mr. Morgan has it from Ohio; our specimens

are from southeastern Missouri.

ORDER V

=TRICHIALES=

Fructification sporangial, rarely plasmodiocarpous, the sporangia

stalked or sessile, gregarious or closely crowded, limeless throughout;

the capillitium of definite threads, free or attached to the sporangial

wall, isolated or combined into a net; spores generally some shade of

yellow, never purple or black.

The distinguishing feature in this order is found in the peculiar

sculpture of the capillitial threads. This is suggested by the tubules

of _Lycogala_, though probably the resemblance is superficial only. The

individual threads, as in _Trichia_, are called elaters, from their

probable efficiency in spore-dispersal.

As here limited, the order is coextensive with the _Calonemeae_ of

Rostafinski, except that that includes in addition the genera

_Prototrichia_ and _Dianema_. The course of differentiation may be

assumed to start with _Dianema_, through the _Perichaenaceae_ to the

_Arcyriaceae_ and again from the same starting-point through

_Prototrichia_ to the _Trichiaceae_.

=Key to the Families of the Trichiales=

_A._ Capillitial threads transverse to the sporangial

cavity, attached usually at each end, plain or

only slightly roughened _Dianemaceae_

_B._ Capillitium plain, papillose, or spinulose, often

scanty, not netted, the threads sometimes

attached by one end to the sporangium wall _Perichaenaceae_

_C._ Capillitium a distinct net, usually attached

below to the sporangial wall; sculpture

various, not continuous spiral bands _Arcyriaceae_

_D._ Capillitial threads transverse, fascicled,

attached at both ends, but sculptured by well

defined spiral bands _Prototrichiaceae_

_E._ Capillitial threads typically free, sometimes

more or less branched, forming a loose net

attached below, characterized by definite

spiral bands, or sometimes by scattered rings _Trichiaceae_

_A._ DIANEMACEAE

=Key to the Genera of the Dianemaceae=

_A._ Capillitial threads attached at one end, or free 1. MARGARITA

_B._ Capillitial threads attached at each end 2. DIANEMA

=1. Margarita= _List._

1894. _Margarita_ Lister, _Mycet._, p. 203.

Sporangia sessile, the capillitium simple, hair-like, coiled.

1. MARGARITA METALLICA (_Berk. & Br._) _List._

PLATE XVII., Figs. 1, 1 _a_, 1 _b_.

1838. _Physarum metallicum_ Berk. & Br., _Mag. Zool. & Bot._, I.,

p. 49.

Sporangia scattered or clustered, globose, or somewhat plasmodiocarpous,

.5-1 mm., sessile, coppery iridescent, the peridium thin, opening above

irregularly; capillitium of long flexuous, coiling, simple or little

dividing threads, nearly smooth, with infrequent attachments to the

peridial wall; spores in mass yellowish, transparent under the lens,

delicately verruculose, 10-12 mu.

One of the handsomer species of the present group. So far a Pacific

coast form. California, Oregon, Washington; reported from Chile.

=Dianema= _Rex_

1891. _Dianema harveyi_ Rex, _Proc. Phil. Acad._, p. 397.

Sporangia simple or plasmodiocarpous; capillitium composed of threads

without characteristic thickenings running entirely across the

sporangium attached both to the base and to the opposite wall, not

joined to form a network.

=Key to Species of Dianema=

_A._ Sporangia distinct, iridescent 1. _D. harveyi_

_B._ Fructification more or less plasmodiocarpous,

dull brown 2. _D. corticatum_

_C._ Sporangia, some of them stipitate 3. _D. andersoni_

1. DIANEMA HARVEYI _Rex._

PLATE XVI., Figs. 5 and 5 _b_.

1891. _Dianema harveyi_ Rex, _Proc. Phil. Acad._, p. 397.

Sporangia gregarious, generally rounded or cushion-shaped, depressed,

sessile, iridescent bronze, 1 mm. in diameter; peridium thin,

translucent, opening irregularly; capillitium of simple threads, not

netted, but often forked two or three times, taut, running from base to

top; spores yellow, by transmitted light pale yellowish, minutely

roughened, 8-10 mu.

This interesting species was collected in Orono, Maine, in 1889, by

Professor F. L. Harvey, and so far as can be learned has not been taken

since. Mr. Lister records two species from England which he refers to

this genus. As to its systematic place, Dr. Rex says, _l. c._ "It stands

as a single representative of a new and separate family adjoining the

_Perichaenacae_ in the order _Calonemeae_ of Rostafinski."

Rare. Maine.

2. DIANEMA CORTICATUM _List._

PLATE XVI., Figs. 5 _a_, 5 _c_.

1894. _Dianema corticatum_ List., _Mycetozoa_, p. 205.

"Plasmodium pink"; sporangia sometimes flat-hemispheric, more often

ill-defined, united in irregular, depressed, netted plasmodiocarps,

generally dull brown; peridium opaque, didermatous, capillitium of

simple or rarely branching filaments, variously beaded or marked with

spiral bands, lightly attached at either end, occasionally twisted

together; spore-mass dull brown, the spores in clusters of four or more,

colorless by transmitted light, more or less verruculose, ellipsoidal,

about 8-10 mu.

Our specimens are from the mountains of Alberta.

A curious, flat plasmodiocarp, an inch or more in length. It suggests

_Hemitrichia serpula_ prematurely dry.

3. DIANEMA ANDERSONI, _Morg._

_Dianema andersoni_, _Morg._ MS., _non. pub._

Sporangium globose, sessile or sub-stipitate, seated on a thin brownish

hypothallus; the wall a thin smooth pinkish membrane, when dry rugulose

and iridescent, the inner surface somewhat thickened below and brownish

at the base. Capillitium arising out of the thickened base, the threads

hyaline or pinkish, ascending, flexuous, simple, or branched a time or

two, the extremities attached on all sides to the wall of the

sporangium. Spores globose, very minutely warted, pale, pinkish, 10-11

mu, in diameter, free.

Growing on old wood and bark of _Alnus_; British Columbia, _W. B.

Anderson_.

Sporangium spherical, 6-8 mm. in diameter, sessile or on a very short

stipe. This species differs from D. harveyi Rex in the _uniform pinkish_

color of the wall and of the spores; the dividing threads are furnished

remotely with minute roundish tubercles as in _Didymium_; the spores are

somewhat larger than in _D. harveyi_.

_B._ PERICHAENACEAE

=Key to the Genera of the Perichaenaceae=

_A._ Sporangia more or less plasmodiocarpous in type,

terete; dehiscence irregular 1. OPHIOTHECA

_B._ Sporangia more or less polygonal in outline, or

round, depressed; dehiscence circumscissile 2. PERICHAENA

=1. Ophiotheca= _Currey_.

1869. _Ophiotheca pallida_ Berk. & C., _Jour. Linn. Soc._, X., p. 350.

Fructification generally plasmodiocarpous, terete, bent or flexuous,

often annular or cornuate, rarely globose, opening irregularly, peridium

thin, not polished, covered more or less strongly with a distinct layer

of scales or granules; capillitium of slender, loosely branching

filaments, the surface rough to strongly spinulose; spores yellow.

As a generic name _Ophiotheca_ plainly has priority. _Cornuvia_ as

understood by Rostafinski has no representative so far in our region.

=Key to the Species of Ophiotheca=

_A._ Plasmodiocarp usually upon herbaceous stems,

slender 1. _O. vermicularis_

_B._ Plasmodiocarp on rotting bark, logs, etc,

_a._ Pale brownish or yellowish 2. _O. chrysosperma_

_b._ Chestnut brown or blackish 3. _O. wrightii_

1. OPHIOTHECA VERMICULARIS (_Schw._) _Macbr._

1834. _Physarum vermicularis_ Schw., _N. A. F._, No. 2296.

1869. _Ophiotheca pallida_ Berk. & C., _Jour. Lin. Soc._, X., p. 350.

1873. _Ophiotheca umbrina_ Berk. & C. Grev., II., p. 88.

1876. _Perichaena pallida_ (Schw.) Rost., _Mon. App._, p. 34.

Plasmodiocarp very slender, terete, elongate, flexuous or reticulate,

annular, etc., of dull gray or neutral tint; the peridium thin,

translucent, but with a delicate granular outer coating; capillitium of

slender threads, frequently branched, warted and usually minutely

spinulose; spore-mass ochraceous yellow; spores by transmitted light

pale yellow, minutely roughened, 10 mu.

Perhaps common, but seldom collected, probably overlooked on account of

protective coloration; the color is about that of the habitat, the

weathered surface of dead herbaceous stems and roots. On dead corn

stalks not infrequent. Differs from other species of the genus in having

smoother capillitium, for which reason Rostafinski calls the present

species _Perichaena vermicularis_. _O. pallida_ Berk. & C. seems to us

to be the same thing, _N. A. F._, 726.

New England, New Jersey, South Carolina, Ontario, Ohio, Iowa.

2. OPHIOTHECA CHRYSOSPERMA _Currey_.

1854. _Ophiotheca chrysosperma_ Currey, _Quart. Mic. Jour._, II.,

p. 240.

1875. _Cornuvia circumscissa_ (Wallr.) Rost., _Mon._, p. 290.

1911. _Perichaena chrysosperma_ Lister, _Mycetozoa, 2nd ed._, in

part, p. 248.

Plasmodiocarp elongate, bent and curved in various ways, spherical, more

rarely annular or even reticulate, yellowish or ochraceous brown,

opening irregularly; peridium thin, with yellowish outer layer;

capillitium rather abundant, of threads slender, sparingly branched and

minutely but distinctly spinulose; spore-mass yellow, spores by

transmitted light pale, almost smooth, about 8 mu.

Occurs on the inner bark of deciduous trees, especially of oak. Not

common.

This is possibly _Cornuvia circumscissa_ (_Wallr._) of Rostafinski's

monograph; but it is doubtful to what Wallroth referred. Rostafinski's

other citations are equally uncertain. Currey's figures and description

alone merit recognition.

Ohio, Iowa, Tennessee; Canada.

3. OPHIOTHECA WRIGHTII _Berk._

PLATE II., Figs. 7, 7 _a_, 7 _b_.

1868. _Ophiotheca wrightii_ Berk. & C., _Jour. Linn. Soc._, X.,

p. 349.

1876. _Cornuvia wrightii_ (Berk. & C.) Rost., _Mon. App._, p. 36.

1892. _Cornuvia wrightii_ (Berk. & C.) Macbr., _Bull. Lab. Nat.

Hist. Ia._, II., p. 122.

1911. _Perichaena chrysosperma_ Lister, _Mycetozoa, 2nd ed._,

p. 248.

Plasmodiocarp bent or short-flexuous, often arcuate or completely

annular, dark chestnut brown or black, opening irregularly; peridium

thin, brittle, translucent, covered without by a rather dense layer of

brownish or black brown scales; capillitium of long, sparingly branched

threads furnished with projecting spinules remarkable for their length,

about twice the diameter of the thread; spores yellow, minutely but

distinctly warted, about 12 mu.

This is the common species everywhere on the inner side of the bark of

fallen trees, _Ulmus_, etc. It is readily distinguished at sight by the

peculiar annular, looped, and U-shaped plasmodiocarps, with their dark

umbrine or blackened surface. From the preceding it is especially

distinguished by the spinulose capillitium and larger spores.

Not rare. New England, New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio.

=2. Perichaena= _Fries_

1817. _Perichaena_ Fries, _Symb. Gast._, p. 11.

Sporangia flattened, sometimes small and roundish, more often larger,

polygonal by mutual interference, or irregular, the peridium thickened

outwardly by a dense reddish or brownish layer of scales; dehiscing by

circumscission or by a lid; capillitium often scant, of slender, warted,

yellowish threads, attached betimes to the upper wall; spores yellow,

oval or spherical.

=Key to the Species of Perichaena=

_A._ Sporangia plainly flattened.

_a._ Very flat, sporangia 1mm. or more in width 1. _P. depressa_

_b._ Depressed; sporangia smaller 2. _P. quadrata_

_B._ Sporangia more or less spherical

_a._ Chestnut brown 3. _P. corticalis_

_b._ Gray or canescent 4. _P. marginata_

1. PERICHAENA DEPRESSA _Libert._

PLATE XVII., Fig. 10.

1837. _Perichaena depressa_ Lib., _Fl. Crypt. Ard._, IV., No., 378.

Sporangia sessile, applanate, crowded, polygonal by mutual contact,

fuscous or chestnut brown, shining, opening by a definite lid;

spore-mass and capillitium yellow, the capillitium well developed, of

slender yellow threads of various widths, almost smooth; spores minutely

warted, 10-12 mu.

Easily recognized by the peculiar, polygonal, depressed-flattened

sporangia and consequent shallow spore-cases in which lie the yellow

spores and scanty capillitium. Rostafinski refers here _P. vaporaria_

Schw., No. 2311, but the meagre description seems rather to apply to the

next species. The original material is no longer accessible.

In the crevices and on the inside of bark of fallen logs of various

sorts, walnut, maple, etc.

Not commonly collected. Specimens are before us from New England,

Illinois, Iowa, Missouri, Florida, Mexico, Nicaragua. Probably over the

whole wooded region of the continent.

2. PERICHAENA QUADRATA _Macbr._

1893. _Perichaena irregularis_ Berk. & C., Morgan, _Jour. Cin. Soc._,

p. 20.

Sporangia very small, less than 1/2 mm., crowded, polygonal or

quadrangular, depressed, but not flattened, smooth, bright rufous or

brown; the peridium rather thick, yellow within, the dehiscence

circumscissile; capillitium scanty, of slender, sparingly branched

filaments, the surface minutely roughened, warted or spinulose;

spore-mass yellow; by transmitted light pale yellow, 9-11 mu.

Differs from the preceding by the much smaller size of the sporangia,

different color and habit. The sporangia, while depressed, still

maintain considerable rotundity; they are occasionally quite spherical,

and then of very uneven size, hardly in contact. In some cases the

plasmodium before maturing seems to assume the form of a plasmodiocarp,

which, by transverse fission at intervals, forms the curious four-sided

conceptacles. At other times the plasmodium assumes the shape of a flat

cushion or plate, which then subdivides into minute polygonal segments.

This form has been known some years to collectors, and, if named at all,

has been called _P. irregularis_. Lister, _l. c._, assures us that

Berkeley's type "is typical _P. depressa_."

Not common. Pennsylvania, Ohio, Illinois, Missouri.

3. PERICHAENA CORTICALIS (_Batsch_) _Rost._

PLATE II., Figs. 1, 1 _a_, 1 _b_.

1783. _Lycoperdon corticale_ Batsch, _Elench. Fung._, p. 155.

1875. _Perichaena corticalis_ (Batsch) Rost., _Mon._, p. 293.

1817. _Perichaena populina_ Fries, _Symb. Gast._, p. 12.

Sporangia sessile, gregarious, flattened, hemispherical; peridia simple,

opening by a lid; dehiscence circumscissile, the upper part chestnut

brown, the lower almost black; capillitium feebly developed, smooth,

attached to the lid and usually coming away with it, bringing the

brilliantly yellow spore-mass, and leaving a delicate, shining cupule

adherent to the substratum; spores yellow, nearly smooth, 10-12 mu. On

and under the bark of dead elms of various species.

A very handsome little species occuring rarely with us, or perhaps

overlooked by virtue of its protective coloration. Found sometimes on

the inner side of the bark where the latter has separated, but not yet

wholly parted company with the wood. In such situations the tiny

sporangia are so nearly quite the color of the moist substratum as to

escape all but the closest scrutiny. The dehiscence is very remarkable,

characteristic, beautiful. Black, brown, chestnut, and gold are

harmoniously blended, in the opening coffers. Prior to maturity the

future line of fission is plainly indicated by the difference in color.

This is clearly the species found by Batsch "ligni demortui putridi in

interiore corticis pagina." Bulliard has also described and figured the

species, _Sphaerocarpus sessilis_ t. 417, Fig. V.

The capillitium is nearly smooth; the spores are only slightly roughened

by minute warts.

Apparently not common. Iowa, Missouri; Black Hills, South Dakota;

Canada;--_Miss Currie._

4. PERICHAENA MARGINATA _Schweinitz._

1831. _Perichaena marginata_ Schw., _N. A. F._, No. 2319, p. 258.

Sporangia depressed, globose, polygonal as they become approximate or

crowded, hoary canescent, sessile; peridium rather thick, persistent,

circumscissile in dehiscence, covered without by minute whitish

calcareous (?) scales, within punctate by the imprint of the spores;

hypothallus distinct, white; capillitium scant or none! Spores in mass

dull yellow, by transmitted light pale, nearly smooth, 14-15 mu.

Lister, following Rostafinski, includes this form with the preceding.

The differences between the two forms are, it seems to us, sufficient to

make convenient their separation as by Schweinitz. Apart from the

peculiar incrustation in the present species, the larger spores, and

especially the peculiar white hypothallus, are distinctive. The method

of dehiscence is also different. In _P. corticalis_ the line of cleavage

before spore dispersal is indicated by a definite band surrounding the

sporangium. Nothing similar appears in the gray specimens of the present

form, although the dehiscence is quite as certainly circumscissile. The

habitat in American specimens is the _outer_ surface of the bark, which

causes the species generally, by protective coloration, to be

overlooked.

Not common. Pennsylvania, Ohio, Missouri.

_C._ ARCYRIACEAE

=Key to the Genera of the Arcyriaceae=

_A._ Peridium becoming fragmentary, but persisting;

capillitium non-elastic 1. LACHNOBOLUS

_B._ Peridium evanescent above, persistent below;

capillitium elastic 2. ARCYRIA

_C._ Capillitium elastic, bearing hamate branches 3. HETEROTRICHIA

=1. Lachnobolus= _Fries_.

1829. _Lachnobolus_ Fries, _Syst. Myc._, III., p. 177.

Sporangia distinct, sessile or nearly so, globose or cylindric, often

distorted, scattered or densely crowded, the peridium extremely thin,

ruptured irregularly, and persistent in fragments; capillitium attached

at numerous points to the sporangial wall, forming a dense net, the

threads warted or spinulose, non-elastic.

Species of this genus are easily distinguished from those of the next by

the peculiar fragile peridium and the inelastic capillitium.

=Key to the Species of Lachnobolus=

_A._ Sporangia pale yellow, on fallen flowers and

fruit-burs of Castanea 1. _L. globosus_

_B._ Sporangia rosy or copper-colored, at length

ochraceous 2. _L. occidentalis_

1. LACHNOBOLUS GLOBOSUS (_Schw._) _Rost._

1822. _Arcyria globosa_ Schw., _Syn. Fung. Carol._, No. 400.

1875. Lachnobolus globosus (Schw.) _Rost., Mon._, p. 283.

1894. _Arcyria albida_ Pers. (in part) Lister, _Mycetozoa_, p. 186.

Sporangia on the spines of fallen chestnut burs, scattered, pale yellow

or whitish, small, globose, the peridium early evanescent above, more

persistent below, stipitate; stipe small, tapering upward, from a small

hypothallus; capillitium a dense but not expanding network attached

chiefly to the lower portion of the sporangial wall, minutely waited or

roughened, with few expansions or inflations; spores in mass pale

yellow, under the lens colorless, almost smooth, 7-8 mu.

This singular little species is remarkable chiefly in the habitat it

affects,--fallen chestnut burs. On these almost universal, but on

nothing else, except on the fallen catkins of the same species. Regarded

by Mr. Lister as _A. cinerea_, from which it differs constantly in form,

in capillitium more open and with larger threads, 4-5 mu in diameter as

well as in its unique habitat, and yellowish color.

Distribution coterminous with that of _Castanea dentata_

Borkhausen,--eastern half of the United States.

2. LACHNOBOLUS OCCIDENTALIS _Macbr._

PLATE II., Figs. 2, 2 _a_, 2 _b_; 4 and 4 _a_.

1885. _Lachnobolus incarnatus_ (Alb. & Schw.) Macbr., _Bull. Lab.

Nat. Hist. Iowa_, II., p. 126.

Sporangia scattered or crowded upon a hypothallus more or less distinct,

globose or ellipsoidal, short-stipitate, varying somewhat in color, at

first rosy or flesh-colored, later brownish or ochraceous; the peridium

exceedingly thin, pellucid, mealy, evanescent above, persisting as a

shallow cup below; capillitium inelastic, rather closely netted of

threads variable in thickness, marked by frequent thickenings or

expansions, everywhere warted, attached to the peridial walls, spores in

mass flesh-colored, under the lens colorless, smooth, globose, 7.5-9 mu.

This delicate and elegant little species appears to be not uncommon, but

is probably generally passed over as an _Arcyria_, which it

superficially resembles. When newly formed, the sporangia have a

peculiar rosy or flesh-colored metallic tint, which is all their own.

Within a short time this color passes, and most of the material comes

from the field brownish or ochraceous in color. Typical sporangia are

spherical on distinct short stipes; when crowded, the shape is of course

less definite. The capillitium never expands as in _Arcyria_, but,

exposed by the vanishing upper wall, remains a spherical mass resting

upon the shallow cup-like base of the peridium.

This species has been in the United States generally distributed as _L.

incarnatus_ (Alb. & Schw.) Schroet. A careful study of all descriptions

of European forms and comparison of many specimens leads us to believe

that we have here to do with a type presenting constant peculiarities.

We have in America nothing to correspond with the figures of Schweinitz,

Berkeley, or Lister. In the American gatherings the sporangia are

uniformly regular, globose, very generally short-stipitate, more or less

closely gregarious, never superimposed, or heaped as shown in Berkeley's

figure, for instance, _Ann. and Mag. Nat. Hist._, IV., xvii., Pl. ix.,

Fig. 2. The plasmodium of our species is white; as it approaches

maturity a rosy metallic tinge supervenes, quickly changing to dull

yellow or alutaceous. The graphic description given by Fries of

_Perichaena incarnata_, _Syst. Myc._, III., p. 193, presents scarcely a

character attributable to the form before us. _L. congesta_ Berk. & Br.,

evidently the form figured and described by Lister, _Mycetozoa_, p. 194,

Pl. lxx., B., resembles our species in color and capillitium, but is

entirely different in habit.

Not uncommon. Maine, Iowa, Missouri, Nebraska.

=2. Arcyria= (_Hill_) _Pers._

1751. _Arcyria_ Sir John Hill, _Gen. Nat. Hist._, II., p. 47.

1801. _Arcyria_ Pers., _Syn. Fung._, p. 182.

Sporangia ovoid or cylindric or even globose, stipitate; the peridium

thin, evanescent to near the base, the lower part persisting as a

calyculus; the stipe variable, packed with free cell-like vesicles,

resembling spores, but larger; capillitium attached below, to the

interior of the stipe or to the calyculus, in form an elastic network,

the tubules adorned with warts, spinules, half-rings, etc., but without

spiral bands or free extremities.

Micheli, of course, discovered the arcyrias, put them in two genera and

several species, which we may only dimly recognize. Persoon first saw

distinctly the outlines of the genus as now understood and adopted the

name given by Hill in his curiously prolix description of certain

species, probably partly of the genus _Arcyria_, partly _Stemonitis_.

=Key to the Species of Arcyria=

_A._ Mature capillitium loosely adhering to the calyculus.

_a._ Mature capillitium far-expanded, drooping.

i. Dusky.

O Long, 12 mm. or more 1. _A. magna_

OO Shorter, about 6 mm. 2. _A. oerstedtii_

ii. Yellow 3. _A. nutans_

_b._ Mature capillitium short, not drooping, though

sometimes procumbent.

i. Capillitium greenish yellow 4. _A. versicolor_

ii. Capillitium reddish, flesh-colored, at

length sordid, etc.

O Capillitium marked by transverse

half-rings, cogs, etc. 5. _A. incarnata_

OO Capillitium marked by sharp-edged

transverse plates and by numerous

nodes 6. _A. nodulosa_

OOO Capillitium marked by close

reticulations 7. _A. ferruginea_

_B._ Capillitium persistently attached to the calyculus.

_a._ Sporangia reddish brown, etc. 8. _A. denudata_

_b._ Sporangia gray or ashen

i. Simple 9. _A. cinerea_

ii. Clustered 10. _A. digitata_

_c._ Sporangia yellow 11. _A. pomiformis_

_d._ Sporangia rose-colored, .5-1.5 mm. 12. _A. insignis_

1. ARCYRIA MAGNA _Rex._

1893. _Arcyria magna_ Rex, _Proc. Phil. Acad._, p. 364.

Sporangia densely aggregated, forming clusters of greater or less

extent, sometimes reaching several centimetres in either direction,

tawny gray or ashen, cylindric, tapering a little above, when expanded

reaching a length of half a centimetre or more, stipitate; peridium

evanescent except the small shallow cup-like base, the calyculus; stipe

long (1 mm.), weak, pale brown or reddish, tubular, the channel filled

with plasmodic masses; capillitium gray or drab-colored, very slightly

attached to the bottom of the calyculus, far expanded, forming a

loose-meshed net, the threads regular, cylindric, coarsely sculptured

with rings, half-rings, cogs, spines, etc.; spores in mass dull gray,

drab, under the lens colorless, papillate, with few papillae, 7-8 mu.

This magnificent form resembles in habit and general appearance, save

color, _A. nutans_. The capillitium is, however, very different both in

the sculpture and in the more delicate markings of the threads. Dr. Rex,

_l. c._, has pointed out the lack of reticulation on the capillitium and

calyculus. The color is also diagnostic. A roseate variety seems to

occur with the present form. This is _A. magna rosea_ Rex, and appears

to agree with the type in all respects save color. The relationship here

must be determined by future inquiry. The capillitial threads are

remarkable for their graceful slenderness, regularity, and symmetry.

2. ARCYRIA OERSTEDTII _Rost._

1875. _Arcyria oerstedtii_ Rost., _Mon._, p. 278, Fig. 196.

Sporangia cylindric, arcuate, 1.5 mm. high when unexpanded, closely

clustered, dull crimson, stipitate; peridium evanescent except here and

there a persistent patch, the calyculus shallow, plicate, papillose

within; stipe short, weak, concolorous; hypothallus distinct,

membranous, concolorous; capillitium a loose, far-expanding, elastic

net, the meshes uneven, often small, the threads characterized by much

irregularity and many bulbose thickenings, especially at the nodes,

strongly spinulose throughout; spore-mass crimson or reddish brown,

dull; spores by transmitted light colorless, nearly smooth, sub-globose,

9-10 mu.

This well-marked species is certainly rare within our limits. We have

specimens from New England and from Pennsylvania. The Iowa material

referred to this species, _Bull. Lab. Nat. Hist. Ia._, II., p. 125, is

_A. magna_ Rex. Rostafinski's figure is excellent in the present case,

and gives the idea of what we regard the typical marking of the

capillitium in _A. oerstedtii_. Externally the species resembles

somewhat _A. nodulosa_, and the network of the capillitium is also

suggestive of that form; the spiny capillitium is unique.

Rare. Adirondacks, New York--_Dr. Rex._

3. ARCYRIA NUTANS (_Bull._) _Grev._

PLATE II., Figs. 6, 6 _a_, 6 _b_.

1791. _Trichia nutans_ Bulliard, _Champ._, p. 122, t. 502, III.

1794. _Arcyria flava_ Pers., _Roemer N. Mag. Bot._, I., p. 90.

1824. _Arcyria nutans_ Grev., _Fl. Edin._, p. 455.

Sporangia crowded, cylindric, about 2 mm. high when unexpanded, pale

yellow or buff, short-stipitate or sessile by an acute base; peridium

wholly evanescent, except at the base, where persists the shallow,

colorless, often inwardly spinulose, plicatulate calyculus; stipe very

short or wanting; hypothallus thin but usually in evidence; capillitium

expanding to great length, forming an extremely flexile, plumose,

pendulose open network of pale ochraceous tint, the threads 3-4 mu in

thickness, adorned with spinules, sharp edged transverse plates

sometimes rings, the surface especially marked by an indistinct

reticulation; spore-mass buff or ochraceous, spores by transmitted light

colorless, smooth or nearly so, 7-8 mu.

This elegant species is not rare in undisturbed woods, especially on

fallen willows. The expanded capillitia are very soft and plume-like,

waving and nodding, very lightly attached below to the centre of the

peridial cup. The capillitium threads are rough, with irregular spines

and sharp-edged transverse plates, occasionally extending to form rings.

Resembles the first species somewhat in habit, size, and the spinescent

capillitium, but the resemblance is superficial only. The color is at

once diagnostic, and the capillitium is after all entirely different.

Not uncommon; Canada to Mexico; Maine to California; probably

cosmopolitan.

Bulliard's figure determines the synonymy. Persoon called the form _A.

flava_, because Bulliard had missed the genus.

4. ARCYRIA VERSICOLOR _Phillips._

1877. _Arcyria versicolor_ Phillips, _Grev._, V., p. 115.

1877. _Arcyria vitellina_ Phillips, _Grev._, V., p. 115.

Sporangia gregarious or more or less crowded, pyriform or clavate,

dingy, olivaceous yellow, becoming reddish, stipitate; peridium

membranous, largely persistent below, where it gives rise to the deep,

goblet-shaped calyculus; stipe strand-like, weak, sometimes wanting,

concolorous with the peridium; hypothallus prominent or venulose;

capillitium only slowly expanded, bright golden yellow or orange, the

threads rather broad, about 4 mu in diameter, regular, even, elegantly

branching, adorned with abundant short spines or warts, very small and

evenly distributed, the whole net anchored in the bottom of the vasiform

calyculus; spore-mass yellow, by transmitted light pale or nearly

colorless, smooth, about 10 mu.

This beautiful species is easily known by its comparatively large size,

peculiar, obovate shape, its brilliant color, and unusually persistent

membranous calyculus. It is peculiar to the western part of North

America, South Dakota west to the Pacific Ocean.

South Dakota, Colorado, California, Washington.

In the thin-covered mountains of Colorado, or hidden by the still drier

thickets and woods of Southern California, the fruit of this species is

small, somewhat as the clavate hemitrichia, pure, deep yellow, golden or

vitelline as Phillips says; but at loftier altitudes in the ever cool

forests on the high mountain flanks, beginning away up where the glacier

first starts to crack and slide between the 'cleavers', and forests of

stunted white-stemmed pine or wooly-fruited fir throw down their twigs

and foliage undisturbed through centuries,--on down to where the plowing

ice forgets its thrust, and melts to gentle floods amid spruce and

hemlock-groves,--all the way the beautiful versicolor spreads and

fruits, in August and September in all the richness of color which its

name implies, which Phillips saw, tints of red, and yellow, and olive,

and green, not brilliant, but in all the softer shades the artists love,

weaving, in far-spread strands of tufted cylinders and cones upturned,

fair as flowers, dusky garlands, by sunlight long forgot! Did not the

old-time botanists liken these things once and again, to flowers!

5. ARCYRIA INCARNATA _Persoon._

1786. _Clathrus adnatus_ Batsch, _Elench. Fung._, 141. (?)

1791. _Arcyria incarnata_ Pers., Gmel., _Syst. Nat._, II., 1467.

Sporangia closely crowded, cylindric, 1-1.5 mm. high, rosy or

flesh-colored, stipitate or almost sessile; stipe generally short,

sometimes barely a conical point beneath the calyculus; hypothallus

none; peridium wholly evanescent, except the shallow, saucer-like,

inwardly roughened calyculus; capillitium loose, broad, pale reddish,

attached to the cup at the centre only by strands which enter the hollow

stem, the threads adorned with transverse plates, cogs, ridges, etc.,

arranged in an open spiral; spore-mass rosy, spores by transmitted light

colorless, nearly smooth, 7-8 mu.

This common species is well marked both by its color and by the

delicate attachment of the capillitium to the calyculus. This is so

frail that the slightest breath ofttimes suffices to effect a

separation, and the empty calyculi are not infrequently the only

evidence of the fructification. This peculiarity did not escape the

attention of Persoon, and is well shown in his figure (_Obs. Myc._, I.,

p. 58, pl. V. Figs. 4 and 5) referred to by Gmelin, _l. c._ Batsch

simply named and described Micheli's figure (Tab. XCIV., Fig. 2), and

accordingly his claim to priority is no better than Micheli's figure,

which may possibly concern the present species, but is in no sense

determinative. It is impossible to say what Retzius meant by his

_Clathrus ramosus_, cited by Fries as a synonym here.

Common, especially in the Mississippi valley and south; more rare in the

west; Black Hills, South Dakota; Toronto to New Mexico.

6. ARCYRIA NODULOSA _Macbr._

PLATE III., Fig. 8.

Sporangia small, about 1 mm. high when unexpanded, crowded in clusters

of varying size, dull red or brownish, stipitate; the peridium

evanescent except the cup; stipe very short, concolorous, plicate as the

cup, or both smooth and unmarked; capillitium centrally attached, slowly

expanded, open-meshed, dense, the threads even, 5-6 mu wide, expanded in

globose, spinulose, or papillate-reticulate nodules, especially at

points of intersection, marked everywhere by close-set, transverse,

sharp-edged ridges, which encircle the thread and show no trace of

spiral arrangement; spore-mass brown or red brown; spores by transmitted

light pale yellow or colorless, minutely but distinctly roughened,

globose, 10-12 mu.

This variety is not distantly related to the preceding, as shown by the

centrally attached capillitial mass, but differs in several definite

particulars; the sporangia are much smaller of an entirely different

color with longer stipes, larger, rougher spores; the capillitium is

also peculiar, the threads unusually wide and densely corrugated

transversely, expanding at frequent intervals into globose nodules which

are sometimes double the width of the thread. In color suggests _A.

affinis_ Rost., but corresponds to no other particular.

7. ARCYRIA FERRUGINEA _Sauter._

PLATE XII., Figs. 6, 6 _a_, 6 _b_.

1841. _Arcyria ferruginea_ Saut., _Flora_, XXIV., p. 316.

1881. _Arcyria macrospora_ Peck, _Rep. N. Y. Mus._, XXXIV., p. 43.

1883. _Arcyria aurantiaca_ Raunier, _Myx. Dan._, p. (44).

Sporangia ovoid or short cylindric, crowded or gregarious, dull red or

brownish, stipitate; stipe about equal to the sporangium, dark brown or

black; hypothallus well developed, membranous, yellowish brown

continuous; calyculus large, wide and shallow, smooth; capillitium

centrally attached, when fresh, brick-red in color, fading on exposure,

the threads of uneven size, those above 6-7 mu, below 3 mu, abundantly

branching, marked by conspicuous reticulations formed by the

intersection of numerous vertical plates or ridges; spore-mass reddish,

spores by transmitted light pale ochraceous, distinctly warted, 10-12 mu.

This species is distinguishable at sight by the peculiar color and form

of the sporangia. Mr. Durand in _Bot. Gaz._, XIX., pp 89, 90, gives a

careful study of the form. The same author declares the dehiscence

circumscissile. We cannot distinguish _A. aurantiaca_ Raun. from the

present form.

Rare. Maine, New York; Monterey, California.

8. ARCYRIA DENUDATA (_Linn._) _Sheldon._

PLATE II., Figs. 5, 5 _a_.

1753. _Clathrus denudatus_ Linn., _Syst. Nat._, 1179.

1794. _Arcyria punicea_ Pers., _Roem. N. Mag. Bot._, I., p. 90.

1895. _Arcyria denudata_ (Linn.) Sheld., _Minn. Bot. Studies_,

No. 9, p. 470.

Sporangia crowded or gregarious, ovoid or short cylindrical, tapering

upward, red-brown, stipitate; peridium evanescent except the plicate

calyculus; stipe about equal to the expanded capillitium, concolorous,

plicate or striate, ascending from a small hypothallus; capillitium

attached to the whole inner surface of the calyculus and connate with

it; hence not deciduous, bright red or carmine when fresh, turning brown

or paler with age, the threads even, about 3 mu adorned with a series of

rather distant cogs or half rings, which form around the thread a

lengthened spiral; spore-mass red or reddish brown, spores by

transmitted light colorless, nearly smooth, 6-8 mu.

This species is easily distinguished from all other of similar tints by

the attachment of the capillitium. In this respect it corresponds with

the following species. In the adornment of the threads it is like _A.

incarnata_. It is by far the commonest species of the genus, and

probably enjoys a world-wide distribution. To be found at all seasons on

the lower side of fallen sticks, _Populus_, _Tilia_, etc.

Micheli, Pl. XCIV., shows that he had the present species. The

description given by Linne is worthless, but helped out by Micheli, and

several other authors of the eighteenth century, who take the trouble to

describe the species, but still give the Linnean binomial as a synonym;

we may give Linne here the credit. As a matter of fact, Batsch under

_Embolus crocatus_ first presents an unmistakable description and

figure.

Maine to the Black Hills and Colorado, and north and west; Alaska to

Nicaragua.

9. ARCYRIA CINEREA (_Bull._) _Pers._

PLATE II., Figs. 3, 3 _a_.

1791. _Trichia cinerea_ Bull., _Champ. de France_, p. 120, Tab. 477,

Fig. iii.

1801. _Arcyria cinerea_ (Bull.) Pers., _Syn. Fung._, p. 184.

Sporangia scattered or gregarious, ovoid or cylindrical, generally

tapering upward, about 2-3 mm. high, ashen gray, sometimes with a

yellowish tinge, stipitate; calyculus very small, thin; stipe about half

the total height, rising from a small hypothallus, thin, gray or

blackish, densely crowded with spore-like cells; capillitium dense,

freely branching, ashen, or yellowish, little wider below, minutely

spinulose; spore-mass concolorous, spores by transmitted light

colorless, smooth, 6-7 mu.

A very common little species, easily recognized by its color and habit.

The capillitium is more dense than in any other species and expands

less. The stipe is about equal to the expanded capillitium, unusually

long. The plasmodium occurs in rotten wood, especially species of

_Tilia_, is gray and, judging from the number of sporangia found in one

place, scanty.

Bulliard, _l. c._, gives the first account of the species by which it

can with any certainty be identified. By some authors _Clathrus

recutitus_ Linn. is cited as a synonym. We fail to distinguish _A.

cookei_ Mass. from the old type.

Widely distributed; Maine to Alaska, and south to Mexico and Nicaragua.

10. ARCYRIA DIGITATA (_Schw._) _Rost._

1831. _Stemonitis digitata_ Schw., _N. A. F._, p. 260, No. 2350.

1868. _Arcyria bicolor_ Berk. & C., _Jour. Linn. Soc._, X., p. 349.

1875. _Arcyria digitata_ (Schw.) Rost., _Mon._, p. 274.

Sporangia compound, that is gathered in tufts, number 3-12 or more on a

single stipe, the clusters themselves scattered; individual sporangia

elongate cylindric, about 3-4 mm. long, ashen gray or nearly white,

stipitate; stipe as long or longer than the sporangium, stout, sometimes

showing traces of consolidation of several, sometimes none, dark brown

or black; capillitium looser and more expanded than in the last, the

threads more strongly spinulose; spore-mass concolorous, spores under

the lens colorless, smooth, globose, 7.5-8 mu

Closely related to the preceding, but different in habit and on the

whole larger and more robust throughout. The stipes in some cases are

completely merged in one; in others traces of coalescence remain. The

number of united sporangia varies. There are some clusters before us

containing 16 and 18 in a single fascicle!

Not very common. On rotten wood of deciduous trees, especially south.

New England, Pennsylvania, Ohio; Black Hills, South Dakota, and south to

Nicaragua.

_Arcyria bicolor_ Berk. & C. seems to refer to the fact that the

sporangia have sometimes an ochraceous tint. Berkeley's specimens are

from Cuba. Our latest specimens are from Nicaragua; the form seems not

to be reported from the old world.

11. ARCYRIA POMIFORMIS (_Leers_) _Rost._

1775. _Mucor pomiformis_ Leers, _Flor. Herb._, p. 218.

1875. _Arcyria pomiformis_ Rost., _Mon._, p. 271.

Sporangia scattered, gregarious, globose, bright yellow, very minute,

.5 mm. high, .3 mm. in diameter, stipitate; stipe short, one-third the

total height, pale brown or yellow; hypothallus none; capillitium loose,

freely expanding, not deciduous, honey-yellow, the threads generally

wide, 4-5 mu, toward the periphery more narrow, 2.5 mu warted, marked with

blunt spinules, which not infrequently pass into distinct transverse,

narrow plates or half-rings, free ends clavate and numerous; spore-mass

yellow, spores by transmitted light smooth, granular, globose, 7-9 mu.

This species as represented by the material before us seems constant in

size, color, and microscopic characters, in all which it differs from

all species here listed. It resembles somewhat _Lachnobolus globosus_

Schw., but differs in habit, habitat, color, the capillitium, its

attachment and in the mode of dehiscence. In the present species the

wall is evanescent almost _in toto_; in _L. globosus_ is it remarkably

persistent, and the capillitium is adherent.

Probably rare. Its smallness removes it from sight of all but the most

exact collectors. Maine, New York, South Carolina, Alabama, Missouri,

Iowa; Black Hills, South Dakota; Ontario;--_Miss Currie._

While usually remotely gregarious a collection from southern California

shows that on occasion the entire plasmodium may pass to fruit with

narrowest limits, forming a stipitate, compact, globose mass of crowded,

superimposed sporangia as in _Oligonema nitens_. Set Plate XX., Fig. 12.

12. ARCYRIA INSIGNIS _Kalkbr. & Cke._

1882. _Arcyria insignis_ Kalkbr. & Cke., _Grev._, X., p. 143.

1911. _Arcyria insignis_ Kalkbr. & Cke., List., _Mycet., 2nd ed._,

p. 240.

Sporangia gregarious or clustered, pale or bright rose-colored, .5-1.5

mm. in height, stipitate, ovate or cylindric; stipe short, .2-.4 mm.

red, with spore-like cells; capillitium a close net-work of delicate

threads with a few bulbous free ends, with faint transverse bands or

short spinules, or nearly smooth, colorless beneath the lens; spores

colorless, nearly smooth, 6-8 mu.

Reported from Mass. by Miss Lister. Should follow No. 8: apparently a

very delicate form of the common species, _A. denudata_.

=3. Heterotrichia= _Mass._

1892. _Heterotrichia_ Mass., _Mon._, p. 139.

Sporangia distinct, stipitate; the peridium simple evanescent above as

in _Arcyria_; capillitium centrally attached, freely branched, the

threads within very slender, without broad, anastomosing to form a dense

peripheral network, and everywhere extended to form short, free, often

hamate tips. A single species,--

1. HETEROTRICHIA GABRIELLAE (_Rav._) _Mass._

PLATE XIII., Figs. 1, 1 _a._

1850. _Arcyria gabriellae_ Rav. _in litt. ad Cooke_.

1892. _Heterotrichia gabriellae_ Mass., _Mon._, p. 140.

1911. _Arcyria ferruginea_ Saut., var. _heterotrichia_ List., _Mycet.,

2nd ed._, p. 234.

Sporangia crowded or gregarious, oblong cylindric, ovoid, at first red,

becoming yellowish brown, stipitate; the peridium evanscent except the

calyculus, which is small and thin, polished; stipe shorter than the

expanded capillitium, pale reddish brown; capillitium centrally

attached, showing threads of two sorts, those within freely branching,

slender, 1-1.5 mu, marked with half-rings or ridges, those on the

periphery very different, yellow, broad, 5-6 mu, forming rather dense

reticulations, with abundant free tips, acute and often curved, the

whole surface here minutely and densely warted; spore-mass reddish

yellow, spores by transmitted light colorless, globose, 7-8 mu.

The peculiar double capillitium seems to separate this form from the

true arcyrias. Some difference in the diameter of the capillitial

threads in different regions is not infrequent in the several species of

_Arcyria_, but that difference is here emphasized and rendered yet more

striking by the peculiar free tips. The present forms bear only the most

superficial resemblance to _A. ferruginea_ Saut., with which species it

is in some quarters sought to unite it.

Very rare. Collected, as noted, nearly fifty years ago in South Carolina

by Ravenel, it was more recently (1896) again collected in Maine by the

late Professor Harvey.

_D._ PROTOTRICHIACAE

A single genus,--

=Prototrichia= _Rost._

1876. _Prototrichia_ Rost., _Mon. App._, p. 38.

A single species,--

1. PROTOTRICHIA METALLICA (_Berk._) _Mass._

PLATE XVIII., Figs. 12, 12 _a_, 12 _b_.

1860. _Trichia metallica_ Berk. Hook., _Fl. Tasm._, 2, p. 168.

1866. _Trichia flagellifera_ Berk. & Br., _Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist._, 3,

XVII., p. 56.

1876. _Prototrichia flagellifera_ (Berk.) Rost. _Mon. App._, p. 38.

1894. _Prototrichia flagellifera_ Rost., List., _Mycet. 2nd ed._,

p. 206.

1899. _Prototrichia flagellifera_ (Berk. & Br.) Rost., Macbr.,

_N. A. S._, p. 199.

1892. _Prototrichia metallica_ Mass., _Mon._, p. 127.

1911. _Prototrichia metallica_ Mass., List., _Mycet., 2nd ed._,

p. 260.

Sporangia sessile, scattered or sometimes crowded, brown, sometimes with

a rosy tinge, about 1 mm. in diameter; peridium a thin, transparent,

iridescent membrane, bearing in its inner surface the distal attachments

of the capillitial threads; capillitium of numerous brown, spirally

banded threads, which take origin in the base of the sporangium, become

subdivided as they ascend, and are at length attached by their tips to

the sporangium wall; spore-mass brown, spores by transmitted light pale,

minutely roughened.

This curious form, with its spirally sculptured capillitial threads

attached at both ends, stands intermediate between _Dianema_ and

_Hemitrichia_ and _Trichia_. Berkeley called it a trichia, ignoring the

attachment of the threads. Cooke notes this as sufficient to exclude the

form from the genus. But it remained for Rostafinski to make the

transfer by setting up for its reception the genus now adopted. He

preferred the later (1866) specific name as more descriptive. Miss

Lister reverts to the earlier name with the remark; "Little now remains

of the type _Prototrichia metallica_ Berk. from Tasmania; but the

specimen is referred to _Prototrichia flagellifera_ by Rostafinski who

saw it in good condition."

Not uncommon in the abietine forests of the West. Alberta, Oregon,

Washington, California, Nevada, Montana, Idaho, Colorado.

_E._ TRICHIACEAE

Capillitium marked by spiral bands, sometimes scattered rings, etc., the

threads entirely free, or at least loosely branched, and with free tips

more or less numerous.

=Key to the Genera of the Trichiaceae=

_A._ Capillitium threads long, generally united to

form a loose net, centrally attached.

_a._ Sculpture spiral 1. _Hemitrichia_

_b._ Sculpture reticulate 2. _Calonema_

_B._ Capillitial threads shorter, entirely free,

though sometimes branched.

_a._ Threads, elaters, marked by spiral bands 3. _Trichia_

_b._ Sculpture irregular or wanting 4. _Oligonema_

=1. Hemitrichia= _Rost._

1829. _Hemiarcyria_ Fries, _Syst. Myc._, III., p. 183 in part.

1873. _Hemitrichia_ Rost., _Versuch_, p. 14.

Capillitium a tangled net of more or less branching and anastomosing

fibres centrally attached; the sculpture regular, of conspicuous

spirally winding bands or ridges; habit and color various.

The species here associated are intermediate between _Arcyria_ and

_Trichia_, resembling the former in the capillitial net and the latter

in thread-sculpture. Fries applied the name _Hemiarcyrieae_ to a group

of trichias so-called, citing _H. rubiformis_ as the first. In his

_Versuch_ Rostafinski wrote _Hemitrichia_ and afterward _Hemiarcyria_ in

the _Monograph_. Massee combines the genera _Arcyria_ and _Hemiarcyria_

under the former name.

=Key to the Species of Hemitrichia=

_A._ Plasmodiocarpous

_a._ Plasmodiocarp net-like, yellow 1. _H. serpula_

_b._ Imperfectly plasmodiocarpous, brown 2. _H. karstenii_

_B._ Sporangia all distinct.

_a._ Sessile; very short stalked

i. Peridium hyaline, iridescent 3. _H. ovata_

ii. Peridium opaque 10. _H. montana_

_b._ Stipitate, generally distinctly so; sometimes

nearly sessile.

i. Yellow or ochraceous.

O Stalk hollow.

+ Small, 1/2 mm., iridescent 6. _H. leiocarpa_

++ Larger, 1 mm., smooth but not iridescent

1. Free ends more or less abundant 8. _H. clavata_

2. Free ends none 9. _H. stipitata_

OO Stalk solid 7. _H. intorta_

ii. Not yellow.

O Ruby red 4. _H. vesparium_

OO Copper-colored 5. _H. stipata_

1. HEMITRICHIA SERPULA (_Scop._) _Rost._

PLATE III., Figs. 4, 4 _a_, 4 _b_.

1772. _Mucor serpula_ Scop., _Fl. Carn_, II., p. 493.

1794. _Trichia serpula_ (Scop.) Pers., _Roem. N. Bot. Mag._, I., p. 90

1875. _Hemiarcyria serpula_ (Scop.) Rost., _Mon._, p. 266.

Fructification plasmodiocarpous, often covering several square

centimetres, terete, branching freely and usually everywhere reticulate,

rusty, tawny, or bright yellow; the peridium thin, transparent, with

irregular dehiscence; hypothallus none; capillitium variable, a tangle

of long yellow threads, sparingly branched, free everywhere, except

below, spinulose, the free tips spinose, acuminate, spiral ridges three

or four, with traces of longitudinal striae; spore-mass golden yellow,

spores beneath the lens pale yellow, globose, delicately reticulate,

about 10 mu.

Very common, recognized by its bright yellow color and conspicuous

reticulate habit. The plasmodium is yellow, at least upon emergence, and

passes almost without change to fruit. Found on rotten logs of every

description, on the _lower_ surface. In the Mississippi valley, the

lower surface of planks used in the construction of sidewalks appears to

be a favorite habitat.

Common west to the Rocky Mountains, south to Mexico and Nicaragua.

2. HEMITRICHIA KARSTENII (_Rost._) _List._

1876. _Hemiarcyria karstenii_ Rost., _Mon., App._, p. 41.

1891. _Hemiarcyria obscura_ Rex, _Proc. Phil. Acad._, p. 395.

1894. _Hemitrichia karstenii_ Lister, _Mycetozoa_, p. 178.

Fructification plasmodiocarpous, with a tendency to form distinct

sessile, globose sporangia, color brownish red; capillitium a sparingly

branched network, with free ends few, the thread marked by seven or

eight faint spirals, the interspaces narrow, dull red in color, and 2.5

mu in diameter; spores yellow, delicately warted, 10-10.5 mu.

This is doubtless a very rare species. In the description we have

followed Dr. Rex, _l. c._, as being more to the point for American

forms. It is not improbable that the American material may after all be

distinct, as discrepancies, if one may judge by descriptions, are not

few. Lister, who had a slide from Dr. Rex, considers the European and

American forms the same.

In outward appearing, plasmodiocarpous phases of this species very

closely resemble forms of _Licea_ or _Ophiotheca_, and are in

consequence often wrongly labeled.

Toronto; Montana--_Anderson_. To be looked for north and west.

3. HEMITRICHIA OVATA (_Pers._) _Macbr._

1796. _Trichia ovata_ Pers., _Obs. Myc._, I., p. 61, and II., p. 35.

1863. _Trichia abietina_ Wigand, _Pringsh. Jahr._, III., p. 33,

Tab. ii., Fig. 11.

1875. _Hemiarcyria wigandii_ Rost., _Mon._, p. 167.

Sporangia crowded or sometimes closely gregarious, sub-globose or

turbinate, shining yellow, sessile, the peridium thin, iridescent;

capillitium a tangle of sparingly branched yellow or ochraceous-yellow

threads, rather slender, 3-5 mu, marked by one or two prominent spiral

bands forming a loose somewhat irregular spiral, the free ends

not infrequent, inflated and rounded; spore-mass yellow or

yellow-ochraceous, spores by transmitted light pale yellow,

distinctly and sharply spinulose, but not netted, 10-11 mu.

A rare and beautiful species, distinguished well by the small size,

about .5 mm., by the thin iridescent peridium, as by the microscopic

characters of the capillitial threads.

There is no doubt that this is Persoon's _Trichia ovata_. His

description is accurate in all that pertains to external features, and

Rostafinski, _App._, p. 41, explicitly says that he _saw_ in Persoon's

herbarium specimens of the species bearing the name cited. Just why

Rostafinski did not here adopt the older name is not clear, nor is there

excuse for abandoning Wigand's name were Persoon's invalid. According to

Lister, _Trichia nana_ Mass., from Maine, is the same thing. Persoon,

_l. c._, gives a synonymy which, in the nature of case, is unverifiable,

the specific characters being microscopic.

Fries, _Syst. Myc._, III., p. 187, confirms Persoon and takes pains to

say that the color separates it from _T. chrysosperma_ with which it is

sometimes compared.

Rare. Maine, Massachusetts, New York, Ohio, Toronto.

4. HEMITRICHIA VESPARIUM (_Batsch_) _Macbr._

PLATE III., Figs. 2 and 2 _a_.

1786. _Lycoperdon vesparium_ Batsch, _Elench. Fung._, pp. 255, 256,

Fig. 172.

1794. _Trichia rubiformis_ Pers., _Roem. N. Bot. Mag._, I., p. 88.

1875. _Hemiarcyria rubiformis_ (Pers.) _Rost., Mon._, p. 262.

Sporangia clustered or crowded, rarely single, clavate or subcylindric

stipitate or sessile, dark wine-red or red-black in color, the peridium

in perfect specimens glossy or shining metallic, opaque; stipes solid,

usually blent together, concolorous; capillitium of intertwisted slender

threads, sparingly branched, marked by three or four spiral ridges,

abundantly spinulose, the free tips also acuminate, terminating in a

spine, the whole mass dull red. Spore-mass brownish-red, spores by

transmitted light reddish-orange, very distinctly warted, sub-globose,

10-12 mu.

A most common species, on rotten wood everywhere, especially in forests.

Recognized generally at sight by its color and fasciculate habit. The

peridium shows a tendency, often, to circumscissile dehiscence, and

persists long after the contents have been dissipated, in this condition

suggesting the name applied by Batsch, _vesparium_, wasp-nest. The

capillitium is remarkably spinescent, the branching of the threads,

rare. Rostafinski describes the spores as smooth; they seem to be

uniformly distinctly warted. The plasmodium is deep red, and a

plasmodiocarpous fructification occasionally appears.

Throughout the whole range, New England to Washington and Oregon, south

to Nicaragua; Toronto.

5. HEMITRICHIA STIPATA (_Schw._) _Macbr._

PLATE I., Figs. 8, 8 _a_, 8 _b_.

1834. _Leangium stipatum_ Schw., _N. A. F._, p. 258, No. 2304.

1876. _Hemiarcyria stipata_ (Schw.) _Rost., Mon. App._, pp. 41, 42.

1894. _Arcyria stipata_ (Schw.) Lister, _Mon. Mycetozoa_, p. 189.

Sporangia distinct, crowded, cylindric or irregular, overlying one

another, rich copper-colored, metallic, shining, becoming brown,

stipitate; peridium thin, the upper portion early evanescent, the base

persistent as a cup, as in _Arcyria_; capillitium concolorous, the

thread abundantly branched to form a loose net, with many free and

bulbous ends, pale under the lens, marked by three or four somewhat

obscure spiral bands and a few wart-like or plate-like thickenings;

stipe very short; spore-mass reddish, spores by transmitted light pale,

nearly or quite smooth, 6-8 mu.

This species is known at sight by its peculiarly beautiful tint when

fresh, as by the crowded prolix habit of the singular overlying

sporangia. The netted capillitium and the evanescent peridium suggests

_Arcyria_, but there are abundant free tips, and the threads are

unmistakably spirally wound, especially in the large, handsome sporangia

characteristic of the Mississippi valley. It is a boundary form

unquestionably. The stipe is generally very short, about one-tenth the

total height; sometimes, when the peridium is more globose, the stipe is

proportionally longer. Specimens from Iowa show fructifications several

centimetres long and wide.

Not rare. New England to the Black Hills and south.

6. HEMITRICHIA LEIOCARPA (_Cke._) _Macbr._

1877. _Hemiarcyria leiocarpa_ Cke., _Ann. Lyc. Nat. Hist. N. Y._,

XI., p. 405.

1891. _Hemiarcyria varneyi_ Rex, _Proc. Phil. Acad._, p. 396.

Sporangia simple, obovate or pyriform, rarely almost globose, pallid,

with a stem of the same color, as long as the diameter of the

sporangium; spore-mass and capillitium concolorous, or with slight

ochraceous tint; capillitium forming a loose net, the tubes branching in

a reticulate manner; spirals three, thin, prominent, along the convex

sides of the tubes mixed with a few obtuse spines; spores globose, with

a thin membrane, 12-14 mu.

Such is the original description of this distinctly American species.

_H. varneyi_ Rex should differ in having spirals seven or eight, and

spore only 6.25 mu. Mr. Lister, who has compared types of both species,

declares them the same! The present writer has been unable to secure

authentic specimens.

Pennsylvania.

7. HEMITRICHIA INTORTA _List._

1891. _Hemiarcyria intorta_ Lister, _Jour. Bot._, p. 268.

1891. _Hemiarcyria longifila_ Rex, _Proc. Phil. Acad._, p. 396.

1894. _Hemitrichia_ intorta List., _Mycetozoa_, p. 176.

Sporangia gregarious, globose-turbinate or pyriform, golden-yellow,

stipitate; peridium thin, translucent, shining, opening at the summit

irregularly, leaving a funnel-shaped receptacle below; stipe dark red

brown, solid, rugulose; capillitium of threads sparingly branched, but

looped and doubled upon themselves and constantly intertwisted,

orange-yellow, 3-4 mu in diameter, with spirals four, sparingly

spinulose, even and regular, the longitudinal striae conspicuous; spores

in mass concolorous, under the lens yellow, delicately warted, globose,

9-10 mu.

Concerning this species, Dr. Rex says: "Externally this species

resembles _H. clavata_ Pers., and has probably often been mistaken for

it. The capillitium, however, in its structural details and habit of

growth, is widely different. The partial untwisting of the loops of the

capillitium by drying, after the rupture of the sporangium, causes it to

be projected and elongated sometimes two or three times the length of

the sporangium." Outwardly the open sporangium, by the projecting free

tips, reminds one of a trichia. The capillitium is like that of _H.

vesparium_, but less rough, and, of course, different in color.

Rare. Fairmount Park, Philadelphia; Ohio, Iowa.

8. HEMITRICHIA CLAVATA (_Pers._) _Rost._

PLATE III., Figs. 1, 1 _b_.

1794. _Trichia clavata_ Pers., _Roem. N. Bot. Mag._, I., p. 90.

1873. _Hemitrichia clavata_ Pers., Rost., _Versuch_, p. 14.

1875. _Hemiarcyria clavata_ (Pers.) Rost., _Mon._, p. 264.

1893. _Hemiarcyria ablata_ Morg., _Jour. Cin. Soc._, p. 30.

1893. _Hemiarcyria funalis_ Morg., _Jour. Cin. Soc._, p. 32.

Sporangia clavate or turbinate, gregarious, scattered or crowded,

yellow, olivaceous or brownish, stipitate; the peridium generally thin,

evanescent above, breaking away so as to leave a more or less definite

cup beneath; stipe about one-half the total height, reddish,

reddish-brown, or blackish, hollow about half-way down; capillitium

various, yellow or ochraceous, made up of slender threads more or less

freely branched and netted, bearing four or five regular, even, spiral

plates which project sharply and are generally smooth, the free

extremities numerous or almost none, swollen, or simply obtuse;

spore-mass concolorous, spores by transmitted light pale yellow,

globose, minutely but distinctly warted, 8-9 mu.

This cosmopolitan species is generally one of the first brought in by

the collector, its color and comparatively large size, 2-3 mm. high,

making it conspicuous. Nevertheless, we are not able to recognize it in

the descriptions of the older authors. Rostafinski quotes Schmiedel,

_Icones_, 1776, as affording the earliest account of the species, but

neither his description nor figure is definitive. Even Bulliard fails us

here, and is differently interpreted by different authors. Persoon's

description is none too good, but is reenforced by Fries and

Rostafinski. The capillitium is variable both in the degree of

smoothness presented, and the number of free ends, and the amount of

branching. The spores in all specimens we have examined are remarkably

constant in size and surface. In typical specimens free ends are easily

discoverable, the branching forms a definite net, and the perfectly

formed capillitial thread is smooth. In some American forms--developed

under less favorable circumstances?--the net is less determined, the

free ends are many, and the spirals minutely rough. Here may be placed

_H. funalis_ Morgan, _l. c._

Widely distributed. New England to Colorado, south to Mexico.

9. HEMITRICHIA STIPITATA (_Mass._) _Macbr._

1889. _Hemiarcyria stipitata_ Mass., _Jour. Mic. Soc._, p. 354.

1893. _Hemiarcyria plumosa_, Morg., _Jour. Cin. Soc._, p. 29.

Sporangia scattered, seldom crowded, obovoid or turbinate, olivaceous

yellow, stipitate; the peridium smooth without, granulose within,

evanescent above, persisting as a funnel-shaped cup below; the stipe

long, reddish or blackish, rising from a small hypothallus; capillitium

of threads 5-6 mu thick, very much branched, forming a dense net, free

ends none, or not evident; the sculpture as in _H. clavata_, smooth and

regular; spore-mass yellow; spores by transmitted light yellow, minutely

warted, 7-8 mu.

This form corresponds in nearly every respect with _H. clavata_, except

in the structure of the capillitium. The color is rather ochraceous,

dirty yellow, and the stipe is proportionally longer and darker, but the

form of the net is positive and gives to the species a decidedly

striking and unique appearance, so that it may be recognized by the

naked eye. It looks like an arcyria and for this reason Professor Morgan

said _H. plumosa_. Lister regards it as the same as our number 8.

Common. Ohio, Illinois, Missouri, Iowa, and west; south to Mexico.

10. HEMITRICHIA MONTANA _Morgan._

Sporangia scattered or gregarious more or less closely, globose,

whitish, sessile or very short stipitate; the peridium opaque, dull

white, persistent below; capillitium deep yellow, the threads abundantly

branched, forming a compact network, 7 mu wide, bearing spirals five or

six, uneven and irregular, or anon interrupted, conspicuously spinulose

or warted, free tips not lacking, generally inflated; spore-mass yellow,

spores by transmitted light pale, nearly colorless, distinctly warted,

10 mu.

Recognizable by its peculiar pallid, sessile sporangia, as by the

internal structure. Perhaps related to _Hemiarcyria bucknalli_ Mass. Our

specimens are from Mr. Morgan, of Ohio, with the statement that they

were collected in the San Bernardino Mountains, California, by Mr. S. B.

Parrish; collected later from Monterey south.

Common throughout south-western states to lower California.

=2. Calonema= _Morgan._

1893. _Calonema_ Morgan, _Jour. Cin. Soc._, p. 33.

Sporangia sub-globose, crowded or superimposed, irregular sessile;

hypothallus none; capillitium of slender tubules, arising from the

sporangium base, branched, marked with branching veins in an irregular

reticulation, and terminating in free extremities. Spores yellow.

1. CALONEMA AUREUM _Morgan._

PLATE XIII., Figs. 2, 2 _a_, 2 _b_, 2 _c_.

1893. _Calonema aureum_ Morgan, _l. c._

Sporangia crowded or heaped in scattered clusters; peridium thin, golden

yellow, adorned with intricate radiating veinlets capillitium of threads

more or less branched, attached below, free above, the surface to the

very tips venulose, interrupted with rings or fragmentary spirals, the

apices bulbous and obtusely conical; spore-mass yellow, spores by

transmitted light bright yellow, covered by a network of interlocking

plates, as in _T. favoginea_, globose, 14-16 mu.

A curious form, related to _Hemitrichia_, much as _Oligonema_ is to

_Trichia_. Related to both the genera first named, but distinct, in the

peculiar sculpture, from _Hemitrichia_, and from _Oligonema_ in that the

threads are not entirely free. Professor Morgan's original

determination, founded on Ohio materials is confirmed by material sent

us by Professor Underwood from Alabama.

=3. Trichia= (_Haller_) _Rost._

1768. _Trichia_ Haller, _Hist. Stirp. Helv._, III., p. 114, in part.

1875. _Trichia_ (Haller) Rost., _Mon._, p. 243.

Sporangia distinct, sessile or stipitate; capillitium of distinct

elastic threads, free acuminate at each end, yellow or more rarely

reddish or brown; spores generally yellow.

The trichias are easily recognized among their kind by their beautiful

spirally wound, elastic capillitial threads, the _elaters_; these are

entirely free, about 3-4 mm. in length, simple or only rarely branched,

and generally acute at each extremity. The spiral bands, sometimes

called _taeniae_, are generally very uniform in thickness, distance from

each other, and pitch, and in many species are further reenforced by

minute longitudinal plications running from one spiral to the next.

Furthermore, the spirals may be smooth or spinulose the elater uniform

throughout or enlarged betimes by nodes and swellings. Taken altogether,

the trichias with the species of the genus next following exhibit the

highest degree of differentiation attained by the Myxomycetes.

Most of the earlier authors, including Haller, used the generic name

_Trichia_ to cover a variety of forms. It is here used with the limits

sketched by De Bary in 1859 and 1864 (_Die Myxomyceten_), and followed

more exactly ten years later by his pupil, Rostafinski.

=Key to the Species of Trichia=

_A._ Sporangia, in typical cases at least, wholly sessile.

_a._ Gregarious; hypothallus none.

i. Peridium brown or reddish brown.

O Elaters smooth.

OO Spirals even, regular 1. _T. inconspicua_

+ Spirals irregular 2. _T. contorta_

++ Elaters rough, spinescent 3. _T. iowensis_

ii. Peridium olivaceous or yellow.

O Elaters smooth 4. _T. varia_

_b._ Hypothallus distinct; sporangia crowded;

spores reticulate, banded, or netted.

i. Spore-bands pitted 6. _T. persimilis_

ii. Spore-bands, narrow, plain 7. _T. favoginea_

iii. Spores covered by a delicate net 5. _T. scabra_

_B._ Sporangia stipitate.

_a._ Hypothallus distinct 8. _T. verrucosa_

_b._ Hypothallus none; peridium checkered with

pale reticulations.

i. Brownish red or black 10. _T. botrytis_

ii. Olivaceous.

O Elaters smooth 11. _T. subfusca_

OO Elaters rough 12. _T. erecta_

_c._ Peridium plain, shining 13. _T. decipiens_

_d._ Peridium plain, dull black 14. _T. lateritia_

1. TRICHIA INCONSPICUA _Rostafinski._

PLATE III., Figs. 5, 5 _a_, 5 _b_.

1875. _Trichia inconspicua_ Rost., _Mon._, p. 259.

Sporangia gregarious or crowded, small, spherical, ellipsoidal or

arcuate, brown or reddish brown, sessile; hypothallus none; capillitium

dull, dark, ochraceous, the elaters long, slender, even, about 3 mu wide,

the spirals three or four rather closely wound, the apices attenuate,

acute, sometimes turned to one side; spore-mass concolorous, spores pale

ochraceous, minutely but distinctly warted, 10-12 mu.

One of the smallest of the _Trichiae_, not uncommon in the Mississippi

valley on decaying fallen stems of _Populus_--sp. Distinguished at sight

from all except No. 3 following, by its small size and brown color.

Under the lens the long, delicate, finely sculptured capillitial

threads, with fine tapering threads are distinctive.

New England, New York, Pennsylvania, Illinois, Iowa, Missouri, Nebraska;

Black Hills, South Dakota; Toronto.

2. TRICHIA CONTORTA (_Ditmar_) _Rost._

PLATE XIII., Figs. 7, 7 _a_.

1811. _Lycogala contortum_ Ditmar, Sturm, _Deutsch. Fl._, III.,

Tab. 5.

1872. _Trichia reniformis_ Peck, _Rep. N. Y. Mus._, XXVI., p. 74.

1875. _Trichia contorta_ Rost., _Mon._, p. 259.

Sporangia gregarious, or crowded, small, ellipsoid or reniform, arcuate,

dark red brown, sessile; hypothallus none; capillitial mass ochraceous

or dull yellow, the elaters few, irregular, the spirals uneven,

irregular, often projecting and thin, though generally flat or obscure,

the apices more or less swollen, ending in a curved tip; spore-mass

concolorous, spores beneath the lens bright yellow, papillose, 10-12 mu.

This species resembles the preceding in color, but is of less aggregate

habit, and the sporangia are more plasmodiocarpous, reniform, arcuate,

etc. The capillitium is also distinctive, the sculpture irregular,

uneven with general lack of symmetry. Our description is made up from

specimens of _T. reniformis_ Peck, which appears to be the American form

of Rostafinski's species.

Rare. New York, Montana?

3. TRICHIA IOWENSIS _Macbr._

PLATE III., Figs. 3, 3 _a_, 3 _b_; PLATE X., Fig. 5.

1892. _Trichia iowensis_ Macbr., I_a., Bull. Lab. Nat. Hist._, II.,

p. 133.

Sporangia sessile, gregarious, spherical or reniform, with no

hypothallus, purple brown; spores and spore-mass yellow; elaters with

three or four spiral bands unevenly distributed, and with occasional

inflations, sparingly branched, spinulose, especially where inflated,

spinules long, 3-6 mu, recurved, often bifid or trifid, especially at or

near the acuminate tip; spores delicately warted, 9-11 mu.

This species occurs not rarely and is found on the bark of _Populus_, so

far, exclusively. The sporangia are inconspicuous until opening by

fissure they display the yellow spores and capillitial threads. The

species is immediately recognized by its elaters, whose numerous and

lengthened spinules are unlike those of any cognate form, reminding one

of the capillitium of _Ophiotheca_. Related to the two preceding, but

distinct by its spinulose capillitium.

Iowa, Missouri; Black Hills, South Dakota.

_Trichia andersoni_ Rex carefully described by Morgan, _Myx. Mi. Val._,

p. 38, belongs with this first group, four small species, the

inconspicuous. To the present writer in each the structure seems

distinct. In the herbarium a small bit of Anderson's material has rested

long; but it must not be lost to sight. The species is sure to be taken

again in the cool mountains, somewhere abundant; as these stretch from

Alberta to far Alaska. The capillitium is very even the taeniae closely

wound, the elater-ends often furcate.

4. TRICHIA VARIA (_Pers._) _Rost._

PLATE IV., Figs. 3, 3 _a_, 3 _b_.

1791. _Stemonitis varia_ Pers., Gmel., _Syst. Nat._, II., 1470.

1794. _Trichia varia_ Pers., _Roem. Neu. Mag. Bot._, I., p. 90.

1829. _Trichia varia_ (Pers.) Fries, _Syst. Myc._, III., p. 188.

1875. _Trichia varia_ (Pers.) Rost., _Mon._, p. 251.

Sporangia gregarious or sometimes closely crowded, globose, obovoid, or

irregularly globoid, yellowish or ochraceous, shining, sessile, or with

a short black stipe; hypothallus none; capillitium of rather long,

simple, or more rarely branched elaters, 4-5 mu, wide, marked by

irregular spirals generally only two, prominent and narrow and in places

remote, the apices acute, about twice the elater diameter; spore-mass

yellow, spores by transmitted light dull yellow, 12-14 mu, delicately

verruculose, guttulate.

A very common species, very variable in form, stipitate forms occuring

anon beside those which are irregular and sessile. According to

Rostafinski the stipitate phase constitutes the _T. nigripes_ of Persoon

and other authors. The capillitium is, however, characteristic

throughout. The two spiral bands wind loosely and irregularly and

present an elater unlike anything else in the group except the same

structure in _T. contorta_, but here the elater is narrow and the

sculpture obscure. Since the specific distinctions are purely

microscopic, the synonymy beyond Rostafinski is mainly conjectural. It

is possible that Fries properly applied the name.

Common. Maine to Oregon and California, and south to Arkansas and

Alabama.

5. TRICHIA SCABRA _Rost._

PLATE IV., Figs. 4, 4 _a_, 4 _b_.

1875. _Trichia scabra_ Rost., _Mon._, p. 258.

Sporangia closely crowded upon a well-developed hypothallus, regular,

globose or turbinate-globose, orange or golden brown, smooth, shining;

capillitial mass clear, golden yellow, or sometimes rusty orange, the

elaters simple, long, 4-5 mu in width, the spirals three or four, closely

wound, spinulose, even and regular, the apices short, acuminate;

spore-mass concolorous, under the lens spores yellow, covered by a

delicate fine-meshed network, or simply spinulose under low power, 10-12

mu.

Generally a well-marked species, easily recognized by its regular but

roughened capillitial threads. Under a 1-12 objective the spores are

also diagnostic. To the unaided eye it resembles the next species in

both color and habit. Fructifications two inches or more in length and

half as wide are not infrequent on the lower side of fallen stems in

forests of deciduous trees. The plasmodium is white.

Not uncommon. Maine to Washington, Oregon, Alaska, and south to Missouri

and Arkansas.

6. TRICHIA PERSIMILIS _Karst._

PLATE IV., Figs. 1, 1 _a_, 1 _b_, 1 _c_; 6, 6 _a_, 6 _b_, 6 _c_, 6 _d_.

1868. _Trichia persimilis_ Karst., _Not. Saellsk. Fenn. Foerh._ IX.,

p. 353.

1869. _Trichia affinis_ De Bary, _Fuckel, Sym. Myc._, p. 336.

1875. _Trichia jackii_ Rost., _Mon._, p. 258.

1877. _Trichia abrupta_ Cke., _Myxom. U. S._ p. 404.

1878. _Trichia proximella_ Karst., _Myc. Fenn._, IV., p. 139.

Sporangia globose or obovoid or irregularly spherical, shining, golden

yellow to tawny, anon iridescent with metallic lustre, sessile;

hypothallus thin, but usually very distinct; capillitial mass ochraceous

or tawny yellow, the elaters long, even, about 4 mu wide, the spirals

four, more or less spinulose, generally joined by longitudinal ridges,

the apices short, tapering regularly, anon bifurcate; spore-mass

concolorous, spores by transmitted light bright yellow, marked by an

irregular or fragmentary banded reticulation, the bands broad, flat, and

pitted, 10-12 mu. Plasmodium said to be white.

This species, common throughout the northern world, is distinguished

from its congener, the following, not only by the episporic character,

but generally by its different peridium and more sombre colors. It never

shows at maturity the brilliant golden yellow fluff that hangs in masses

about the open and empty vases of _T. favoginea_, a fact not unnoted by

Batsch, and rendering his figure and description so far determinable.

The episporic network shows all degrees of perfection or imperfection,

and the elater also varies somewhat both in the apices and distinctness

of longitudinal striae. The several synonyms listed seem to have taken

origin in a recognition of some of the more pronounced variations. In

any event the American form _T. abrupta_ Cke., with bifid apices,

belongs here, and European specimens seem to show the identity of forms

described by Karsten and De Bary.

Not rare. New England, Canada, New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Alabama,

Missouri, and west.

7. TRICHIA FAVOGINEA (_Batsch_) _Pers._

PLATE IV., Figs. 5, 5 _a_, 5 _b_.

1786. _Lycoperdon favogineum_ Batsch, _Elench. Fung._, p. 257,

Fig 173, _a_, _b_.

1791. _Sphaerocarpus chrysospermus_ Bull., _Cham. de Fr._, Tab. 417,

Fig. 4.

1794. _Trichia favoginea_ (Batsch) Pers., _Roem. N. Mag. Bot._, I.,

p. 90.

1875. _Trichia chrysosperma_ (Bull.) Rost., _Mon._, p. 255.

Sporangia closely crowded, cylindric or prismatic by mutual pressure,

obovoid, sessile, olivaceous yellow, smooth and shining; the peridium

thin, opening above somewhat stellately, persistent; capillitium golden

yellow, escaping entirely from the peridia, and forming woolly masses

above them, the threads long, even, beautifully sculptured, bearing

spirals about four, usually smooth and connected by light longitudinal

ridges, the apices short tapering, about equal to the width of the

elater, 6-7 mu; spores concolorous, by transmitted light paler, but still

bright yellow, the episporic net conspicuous, the bands narrow and high,

not pitted nor fragmentary, in form irregularly globose, 12-14 mu.

Plasmodium yellow.

A common and beautiful species recognizable at sight, after the peridia

break, by the aggregate capillitium constantly in evidence above the

abandoned vasiform peridia. The figures of Bulliard are unsatisfactory,

although the description he gives and the name he suggests, still

current, may lead us to concede that he had our species before him. The

spores are larger than in _T. persimilis_, and the episporic net

different, the "border" wider. The plasmodium in the latitude of Iowa

not uncommon in woods in June, after emerging passes into fruit in the

laboratory in about forty-eight hours, and the rupture of the peridia

follows presently. The hypothallus is quite distinct, extra-marginal,

and in substance like to the peridial wall.

Not rare. Throughout the northern forests, Maine to Washington and

Oregon, south to Alabama, Louisiana, Mexico.

8. TRICHIA VERRUCOSA _Berk._

1860. _Trichia verrucosa, Fl. Tasm._, II., p. 269.

Sporangia pyriform, or obovoid, shining, ochraceous from the color of

the contents, stipitate, more or less botryoid or connate; stipe twice

the height of the spore-case, reddish brown, simple or consolidated with

others, weak, inclined, or procumbent; hypothallus distinct; spore-mass

ochraceous yellow, the elaters simple, with smooth tapering points, with

spirals three or four, the spores beautifully and strongly reticulate,

after the manner of the spores in the species preceding, with the meshes

generally complete and always large, quite variable in size 12-16 mu.

Rostafinski quotes the species (_teste_ Lister) from Chile. Specimens in

the herbarium of the State University of Iowa are from Jalapa, Mexico,

collected by Mr. C. L. Smith. The species may be therefore expected in

the southern United States. Berkeley described it from Tasmania. _T.

superba_ Mass, from description would seen to be the same thing.

9. TRICHIA PULCHELLA _Rex._

1893. _Trichia pulchella_ Rex, _Proc. Phil. Acad._, p. 366.

Sporangia solitary or in groups of four or five, bright vitelline

yellow, sessile; the peridium thin, transparent, opening irregularly

above; hypothallus none; capillitium bright yellow, not emergent, the

threads narrow, 3-4 mu, wound with spirals three or four, more or less

irregular, smooth, longitudinal ridges wanting, the apices rather long,

acuminate, about twice the diameter of the elater, or anon clavate or

even globose, bulbose at the tip and furnished with several stout

spines; spore-mass concolorous; under the lens spores colorless, marked

by a very feebly developed reticulation of _T. persimilis_ type, but the

bands narrow and, as shown by the narrow "border," low, meshes few and

often imperfect, globose or sub-globose, about 12 mu.

The episporic characters of this species ally it to _T. persimilis_ most

nearly. The reticulations are possibly not more divergent from the

typical form of that species than are the same features in some other

forms there included. But in the present case, added to the episporic

sculpture, we must reckon the peculiar capillitial thread, unlike that

seen in either of the chrysospermatous forms, and the gregarious habit

without hypothallus. These peculiarities seemed to Dr. Rex distinctive,

and as they appear constant they may be left to separate the species.

10. TRICHIA BOTRYTIS _Persoon._

PLATE XIII., Figs. 8, 8 _a_.

1791. _Stemonitis botrytis_ Pers., Gmel., _Syst. Nat._, II., 1468.

1794. _Trichia botrytis_ Pers., _Roem. N. Mag. Bot._, I., p. 89.

1803. _Sphaerocarpus fragilis_ Sowerby, _Eng. Fung._, I., p. 279.

1829. _Trichia pyriformis_ Fries, _Syst. Myc._, III., p. 184.

1875. _Trichia fragilis_ (Sow.) Rost., _Mon._, p. 246.

Sporangia gregarious, scattered, sometimes combined in clusters,

pyriform or turbinate, stipitate, red-purple or, ochraceous-brown the

peridium breaking up irregularly, the dehiscence sometimes prefigured by

pale reticulations on the surface; stipe solid, single, or united in

clusters of five or more together, dark-colored, red or purple-brown,

opaque; capillitium orange, ochraceous yellow, or even reddish brown,

the threads simple or rarely branched, long-fusiform, about 4 mu thick at

the centre, tapering gradually to the long accuminate, apiculate tips,

spirals three or four, even, smooth, rather closely wound and traceable

almost to the apex; spores concolorous in mass, under the lens pale,

globose, more or less closely minutely warted but not reticulate, 10-12

mu.

A species remarkable for its variations in color. More commonly the

unopened sporangia are opaque brown, by reason of a dense outer wall,

and more frequently simple, or if compound, show but two or three

united. The reddish variety, vinous or scarlet-black in color, is

remarkably fasciate. Some clusters show twenty or more stipitate,

globose sporangia, conjoined by their distinct but coherent stems. In

such fruitings the sporangia are small, .5 mm. In the brown sporangia

the dehiscence, as stated, is often definitely prefigured; in the

multiple, red, obscurely, if at all. As presented in collections from

the eastern United States, the two forms might well be disjoined.

Persoon, however, discussed both together and so they remain.

Saccardo includes _Craterium floriforme_ Schw. here.

By the descriptions of the earlier authors it is impossible to

distinguish this from _H. vesparium_ on the one hand, and _T. decipiens_

on the other. _T. botrytis_ Pers., _l. c._, gives us first secure

foothold. Fries discards Persoon's appellation as unsuitable and

improperly applied, and takes up what he deems an older specific

designation, _T. pyriformis_ Leers. But Rostafinski is certain Leers had

_A. punicea_ in mind, and that other early names are equally

ill-applied. Rostafinski rejects Persoon's names simply as not pertinent

in every case. Massee examined the specimens of Leveille, and finds them

belonging here; but see our No. 14, _seq._

Not common, but with wide range. Maine, Massachusetts, New York,

Pennsylvania, Ohio, Colorado; Toronto.

11. TRICHIA SUBFUSCA _Rex._

1890. _Trichia subfusca_ Rex, _Proc. Phil. Acad._, p. 192.

Sporangia gregarious, scattered, dull tawny brown, shading to dark brown

below, about 1/2 mm. in diameter, globose, stipitate; stipe short, about

equal to the sporangium, stout, brown or brownish black, rugulose,

solid; capillitial mass bright straw color; the elaters long

cylindrical, 3-4 mu wide, adorned with spirals four, which wind unevenly,

are perfectly smooth, and terminate in abrupt tips about twice the

diameter of the elater; spores yellow, under the lens yellow, minutely

and closely warted, globose, 12 mu.

The spores of this species resemble closely those of the preceding, but

the sporangium is at sight different in appearance and proportions and

the capillitium not the same at all. The elaters are never fusiform, the

apices always abrupt in their acumination, and the sculpture irregular

and uneven. In form the elater resembles that of _T. scabra_. The

description is drawn from specimens, _N. A. F._, 2495, with which,

however, specimens received from Dr. Rex and later collected exactly

correspond.

The elaters of uniform diameter, the apices abruptly narrowed to a blunt

point, turned to one side, will serve to distinguish this species from

the whole _T. botrytis_ group, some forms of which it outwardly

resembles.

We have beautiful specimens from the shores of Puget Sound.

New York.

12. TRICHIA ERECTA _Rex._

1890. _Trichia erecta_ Rex, _Proc. Phil. Acad._, p. 193.

Sporangia gregarious, often in clusters of two or three together, but

generally single, nut-brown, checkered with broad, conspicuous yellow

dehiscence bands, globose, 1/2 mm. wide, stipitate, stipe double the

sporangium, dark brown, solid; capillitial mass bright yellow, the

elaters cylindric, 3-4 mu wide, terminating in apices short and smooth,

adorned with spirals, four, coarsely spinulose, winding unevenly or even

branching and so united to one another! spore-mass yellow, spores by

transmitted light pale, globose, minutely warted, 12 mu.

Distinguished at sight by the peculiarly mottled peridium. _T. botrytis_

in its ochraceous forms sometimes shows tendency to the same thing, but

the checkered surface is here conspicuous. The elaters resemble those of

the preceding form, but are remarkably rough.

Rare. Adirondacks, New York.

13. TRICHIA DECIPIENS (_Pers._) _Macbr._

PLATE IV., Figs. 2, 2 _a_, 2 _b_.

1793. _Lycoperdon pusillum_ Hedwig, _Abh._, I., p. 35, Tab. iii.,

Fig. 2.

1795. _Arcyria decipiens_ Pers., _Ust. Ann. Bot._, XV., p. 35.

1796. _Trichia fallax_ Pers., _Obs. Myc._, I., p. 59, etc.

Sporangia gregarious, sometimes closely so, sometimes scattered,

turbinate, shining olive or olivaceous brown, stipitate; stipe generally

elongate, concolorous above, dark brown below, hollow, _i. e._ filled

with spore-like cells; capillitial mass yellowish or olivaceous yellow,

the elaters perfectly smooth, long fusiform, tapering gradually to the

long, slender taeniate apices, simple or often branched, adorned with

spirals three, which wind evenly but somewhat distantly; spore-mass

olivaceous or ochraceous, spores under the lens, pale, minutely

delicately reticulate, 10-12 mu.

One of our largest and most common species, in form and size resembling

_H. clavata_, but immediately distinguished by its color. The

capillitium is like that of _T. botrytis_, but differs in the more open

sculpture and the longer and smoother unwound tips. The episporic net is

a constant character in all the specimens examined. This feature reminds

of _T. scabra_.

This is, of course, our familiar _T. fallax_ of all authors from Persoon

down. The earliest unmistakable reference to this species is Hedwig, _l.

c._ But Batsch, in 1789, had used the same combination to describe a

real puff-ball, so that Hedwig's name was already a synonym. The

specific name here adopted is next in point of priority, although

Persoon discarded it the year following, substituting _fallax_, because

he had mistaken the genus.

Not rare. New England, Toronto; west to the Black Hills and Washington,

Oregon, California, south to the Carolinas and Kansas; Jalapa, Mexico.

14. TRICHIA LATERITIA _Lev._

1846. _Trichia lateritia_ Lev., _Ann. Sci. Nat. Bot._, 3 V., p. 167.

1875. _Trichia lateritia_ Lev., Rost., _Mon._, p. 250.

1892. _Trichia fragilis_ (Sow.) Rost., Mass., _Mon._, p. 176.

1894. _Trichia botrytis_ Pers. var. _lateritia_ (Lev.) List., _Mon._,

p. 171.

1899. _Trichia botrytis_ Pers., Macbr., _N. A. S._, p. 216.

1911. _Trichia botrytis_ Pers. var. _lateritia_ (Lev.) List.,

_Mycetozoa, 2nd ed._, p. 217.

Sporangia more or less closely gregarious, (_a_) simple

globose-turbinate, dull black when dry, when moist generally with a

vinous tinge, 1 mm. in diameter, stipitate. The stipe concolorous,

rigid, erect, simple even, 2-6 mm., or (_b_) multiple, several

sporangia united by their pale brown or reddish-brown, striate, weak,

closely adherent or united stems; hypothallus small or none;

capillitial-mass bright brick-red cut-off from the stem-cavity, such as

may be, and enclosed by a thick, firm opaque peridium, which opens above

in fragmental or petaloid lobes, leaving a craterium-like cup below, to

persist in flower-like fashion long after the contents have blown away;

elaters fusiform, extremely long, to 50 mu; about 5 mu in width at the

widest (middle) point, long acuminate, adorned with usually four

clean-cut even, regular, taeniae, uniformly spaced and carried forward

on the progressive acumination, almost to the smooth, straight

spine-like point; spores in mass brick-red, by transmitted light,

orange-brown almost smooth, 10-12 mu.

This showy and remarkable species is set out from _T. botrytis_ Pers.

with which it has been more or less closely associated, for several

reasons. In the first place, it is easily recognized in the field, by

its size, color, and structure. Often simple throughout a colony entire,

nevertheless where the vegetative development has been stronger, simple

and multiple fructifications may stand side by side, but the odd

fasciation is generally limited to few sporangia, perhaps three or four,

or at most, half a dozen. These fasciate forms generally shorter, or

less erect. The elaters, so far as our observation goes, are the longest

in the genus notable for their beautiful symmetry. The spores are larger

than in the red forms of _T. botrytis_ as usually presented, smoother

and of different color.

We have also a geographic limitation. Taken to Paris first from southern

Chile, it promises to be a Pacific coast species, found as it now has

been in North America from San Diego, to Vancouver. In a deep forest

near Monterey, California, a half-buried log showed one colony a meter

in length and from six to twelve centimetres in width, hundreds of

sporangia, each by gentlest explosion opening to display its tuft of

bright-tinted wool, a patch of color visible from far.

=4. Oligonema.=

1875. _Oligonema_ Rost., _Mon._, p. 291.

Sporangia distinct, small, generally crowded together and superimposed;

hypothallus none; capillitium scanty, the sculpture rudimentary and

imperfect, scattered rings or mere roughenings, sometimes imperfect or

faint spirals; spores yellow.

The oligonemas are simply degenerate _Trichiae_, and show the vagaries

usually to be noted in a passing type. They are difficult to define, and

the species are indeed variable. Those here listed seem to offer

constant features throughout our range.

=Key to Species of Oligonema=

_A._ Spores reticulate.

_a._ Sporangia in broad effused patches 2. _O. brevifilum_

_b._ Sporangia in small heaped clusters.

i. Elaters roughened, no distinct rings

or spirals 1. _O. flavidum_

ii. Elaters with scattered rings; sometimes

faint spirals 3. _O. nitens_

B. Spores warted 4. _O. fulvum_

1. OLIGONEMA FLAVIDUM (_Peck_) _Mass._

1874. _Perichaena flavida_ Peck, _Rep. N. Y. Mus._, p. 76.

1892. _Oligonema flavidum_ (Peck) Mass., _Mon._, p. 171.

Sporangia crowded and superimposed, sessile in small masses or clusters

1 cm. or less, bright yellow, shining, the peridium thin but opaque,

yellow; capillitium of long, slender tubules usually simple, anon

branched, even, or with an occasional inflation, the sculpture confined

to warts or small, distinct spinules, roughening more or less

conspicuously the entire surface, the apices generally obtuse, anon

apiculate; spore-mass yellow, spores under the lens pale yellow,

irregularly globose, beautifully reticulate, the meshes large and few,

as in _Trichia favoginea_, 12-14 mu.

This species is marked by its capillitium, which is abundant for the

present genus. The threads are longer than in any other species, and not

infrequently branched, smooth, or more commonly, very distinctly

minutely spinulose throughout, no trace of rings or relief sculpture of

any sort, the spirals, that are to be expected, very imperfect, if

discernible at all. In habit the species resembles _O. nitens_, but the

colonies are much larger, and the sporangia higher and larger, attaining

1 mm.

New England to Iowa and Nebraska; south to Alabama and Louisiana.

Toronto; _Miss Currie._

2. OLIGONEMA BREVIFILUM _Peck._

PLATE XX., Figs. 5, 5 _a_.

1878. _Oligonema brevifila_ Peck, _Rep. N. Y, Mus._, p. 42.

Sporangia small, cylindric, dull ochraceous-yellow, sessile closely

crowded, sometimes superimposed, forming large, effused patches several

centimetres in extent; capillitium exceedingly scant, consisting of

nothing more than a few minute threads, very short, only three or four

times the diameter of the spore, smooth, or without any definable

sculpture, ochraceous; spore-mass dark ochraceous, under the lens the

spores are brighter, marked with reticulations much as in other species

of the genus, 10-12 mu.

Probably a variety of our No. 1, but constantly collected.

Separate, however, from the following also in color and habit. To the

naked eye the fructification suggests _Trichia persimilis_; the color

much the same, and the sporangia similarly congested. The peculiarly

rudimentary condition of the capillitium is apparently also constant.

Iowa specimens accord perfectly with those from New York.

Rare. New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, North Carolina, Iowa, Missouri,

Oregon, Washington, California; Vancouver Island.

3. OLIGONEMA NITENS (_Lib._) _Rost._

PLATE II., Figs. 8, 8 _a_, 8 _b_.

1834. _Trichia nitens_ Lib. _Pl. Cr. Ard._, III., No. 227.

1875. _Oligonema nitens_ (Lib.) Rost., _Mon._, p. 291.

1883. _Trichia pusilla_ Schroet., _Kr. Fl. Schl._, III., p. 114.

Sporangia gathered in small, heaped clusters, irregularly spherical,

bright straw-color, or yellow, sessile, superimposed, the peridium thin,

smooth, shining; capillitium of short elaters, simple or branched,

smooth, adorned with an occasional projecting ring, often with faint

spiral sculpture spreading especially toward the apices, which are blunt

or anon acute, the point sometimes flexed or bent to one side, never

very long; spore-mass bright yellow, spores globose, beautifully

reticulate, 12-14 mu.

Readily recognized at sight by its heaped, shining, or glistening

sporangia. The capillitial threads are further definitive, and serve to

distinguish it from everything else.

The range is wide, probably coextensive with the forests of the country.

Specimens are before us from New England, Canada, Montana, and all

intervening regions, and south to the Gulf of Mexico; California,

Nevada,--_Prof. Bethel._ Yosemite, shores of Mirror Lake!

4. OLIGONEMA FULVUM _Morgan._

1893. _Oligonema fulvum_ Morgan, _Jour. Cin. Soc._, p. 42.

Sporangia large, sub-globose, sessile, or crowded, more or less regular;

the peridium tawny yellow, or olivaceous, very thin and fragile,

iridescent; mass of capillitium and spores tawny-yellow, elaters simple

or sometimes branched, very short, sometimes with thicker swollen

portions, the surface marked with low smooth spirals, in places faint

and obsolete, the extremities rounded and obtuse, usually with a minute

apiculus; spores globose, minutely warted, 10-13 mu.

This species may be recognized by its tawny, irregular, more or less

crowded sporangia. Under the lens the warted, not reticulate, spores are

diagnostic. The elaters are quite constantly marked by imperfect

spirals.

Our specimens are from the author of the species, and so far there are

none reported from outside Ohio.

FOOTNOTES:

[15] For other crucifers, see _Bull. Torr. Bot. Club_, xxi, pp. 76-8.

[16] See in reference to this whole matter, _Myxomycetenstudien_ by E.

Jahn, No. 7, _Ceratiomyxa_, 1908. See also Olive, _Trans. Wis. Acad. of

Sci. Arts and Letters_, Vol. xv, pl. II, p. 771.

[17] See Jahn, _Myxomyceten Studien_ No. 8, Berlin 1911.

[18] In discussing these species the reader may be referred to Professor

Harper's study of cytology, _Bot. Gazette_, vol. XXX., p. 217. It is

probable that in all these aethalioid forms the effect of disturbance,

transfer to laboratory, is likely to be quite pronounced. Giant spores

are often seen, doubtless due to arrested cleavage in the procedure

described by Dr. Harper: a giant spore is penultimate or antepenultimate

in series; should, on this theory, occasionally, at least, show more

than one nucleus.

[19] Prior to Persoon the physarums were variously referred:

_Lycoperdon_, _Sphaerocarpus_, _Trichia_, etc. It seems unnecessary to

quote the synonymy further here.

[20] Persoon's first-named species is _P. aureum_; see _Roemer Neu. Mag.

f. d. Bot._, I., p. 88. 1794.

[21] Fries (_Sum. Veg. Scand._, p. 454) described the new genus in the

following words: Tilmadoche. Fr. Physari spec. S. M. Peridium simplex,

tenerrimum (_Angioridii_) irregulariter rumpens. Capillitium

intertexto-compactum, a peridio solutum liberum, sporisque inspersis

fuscis. Columella o.

1. T. leucophaea. Fr.

2. T. soluta. (Schum.)

3. T. cernua. (Schum.)

[22] See also _Inaug. Diss._, H. Roenn, _Schr. d. Naturw. Ver. f. Schl.

Holst._, XV., Hpt. I., p. 55, 1911.

[23] Inasmuch as there has been decided difference of opinion in

reference to this particular species,--all judges readers of the same

original description,--it has seemed wise to submit an English

translation from the celebrated _Monograph loc. cit._

"24. Physarum diderma _Rfski._

"Sporangia sessile, globose, adnate by a narrow base, white. Peridium

double; the outer thick, strongly calcareous, very distinctly set off

from the thin inner one by an air-filled space; the calcareous nodules

many, angular, loosely developed within to form a pseudo-columella;

spores dark violet, spinescent, 9.2-10 in diameter.

"_Opis._ This physarum looks extremely like a diderma.

"The sporangia stand either aggregated or bunched together in heaps of

five to twelve, adnate to the hypothallus by a narrow base, etc."

Massee, _Mon._, p. 304, translated this description, but misunderstood

what is said of the columella and is inclined to think the author did

not know a diderma when he saw one; which is pretentious, to say the

least!

[24] See also, after all our trouble, _Jour. Bot._, LVII., p. 106.

[25] See Fries, _Syst. Myc._, Vol. III., pp. 130, 137, Rost., _Mon._, p.

127, and _Rep. N. Y. State Mus._, XXXI., p. 55.

[26] It would seem that M. Massee would have written _T. reniformis_,

were this authentic.

[27] For further synonymy, see under _P. auriscalpium_, No. 49.

[28] Robt. E. Fries, _Ofvers. K. Vetens. Akad. Forh._, 1899, No. 3, p.

225.

[29] The Polish author wrote Tilmadoche instead of Physarum in each case

cited.

[30] Forms cited are chiefly those likely to be found in our neighboring

tropics, West Indies, etc.

[31] These little structures have a fairly architectural appearance and

may be called trabecules,--trabeculae, little beams.

[32] Dr. Cooke, who used the microscope, applied the _Monograph_

description to British forms occurring on leaves; proceeded further and

found the same situation in New York. Mr. Massee gives the species wide

range with spores 8-10 mu; average 9 mu; only a fraction too large;

evidently none 12-15 mu.

[33] If a sporangium of _L. tigrinum_ be mounted in water and treated to

weak solution of hydro-chloric acid we may easily discover that the

crystals, which so wonderfully adorn the outer wall in this and other

species, consist, in part at least, of calcium carbonate. We may also

discover that in the case before us the crystal or scale lies indeed

enclosed in a filmy sac of organic origin, and that could we have seen

the outer peridium as it came to form, we might probably have found it

made up largely of an ectosarcous foam in whose cavities the excreted

calcium found place for tabulate crystallization. In other species

listed, conditions are different, and the crystals assume a different

shape. The phrase "bicarbonate of lime" quoted in this connection in the

former edition of this work from Mr. Massee's _Monograph_, etc., is not

clear.

[34] Doubtless immature; _v. Mitteil. Naturwiss. Gesell. Wintert._, VI.,

p. 64, Lister quoted by Schinz.

[35] Vid. _Mycologia_, N. Y., Vol. IX., p. 328.

[36] See _Addenda, d_, p. 282 following.

[37] In the _Mycetozoa_, 2nd ed., p. 158, is cited _Stemonitis

virginiensis_ Rex as a synonym of this variety. By reference to p. 163

of the present volume the Virginian stemonitis is left as Rex assigned

it, and if the present variety be synonymous, it should be quoted there.

The treatment of the species _C. nigra_ in the second edition does not

establish such fact, nor with three varieties make for any increasing

clearness.

[38] It had seemed less necessary to retain the classic orthography in

this instance since De Bary and Rostafinski both use _Diachea_. But

modern scholarship is nothing if not meticulous; it is the fashion in

Latin still to keep the digraph, even to the vexation of all men. In the

same way when Bulliard wrote _leucopodia_, 'white stockings', he

doubtless meant to be exact.

[39] For this citation we are indebted to _Mr. Hugo Bilgram_.

ADDENDA

a. This volume is as we see, a descriptive list of the various forms of

the Myxomycetes in so far as these have come to the personal notice of

the writer.

Each form is designated, as is usual in discussing objects of the sort,

by a particular binomial name, followed, in abbreviated form, by the

name of the student or author who in describing the form in question

used the combination. Thus _Stemonitis splendens_ was first described by

Rostafinski, and the name he thus used is applicable to the form he

described, wherever found, and to _nothing else_.

The proper naming of any specimen would thus appear to be a very simple

matter. Such, however, is often not the case, particularly where we are

concerned with species long familiar to science. Such often have

received, at different times, and at the hands of the same author, or

certainly of different authors, different names, given for various

reasons; so that one who would refer to, or discuss, a single specimen

to-day finds himself often in great uncertainty, confronted by a

multitude of binomial combinations all thought to refer to the same

particular thing.

By general consent, of course, we strive to ascertain the oldest name on

the list; the first that is really and clearly applicable, and we write

all other names down as synonyms. In this volume a list of synonyms

often accompanies the description; precedes it, showing, year by year,

the history of the case; an abstract in fact of the title, as at last

approved. The preparation of such an abstract is very troublesome, but

is believed to be worth the trouble; must be made, indeed, if we are

ever in our discussions to be sure that when we speak or write in

America, we are dealing with the same thing intended by the man who

speaks or writes in England, or elsewhere.

The space occupied in synonymy, is therefore by no means wasted. By and

by, if we succeed in establishing a nomenclature on which competent

judges can agree, a thing not at all improbable, almost now attained,

the lists may gradually disappear as having historical value only.

b. Taxonomy, in any field, is of necessity concerned with history. For

his own sake, no student can ignore the thought and work of his

predecessors. No man ever sees nature in completeness, nor even the

small part of the world to which he devotes attention. He needs every

possible assistance, especially the observations of intelligent men. The

present author rejoices to acknowledge the assistance found in volumes

written in Europe during the last two hundred years. Such men as

Persoon, Bulliard, Schumacher, Schrader, Fries, are deservedly famous;

they laid the foundations of mycologic taxonomy. No student can afford

to miss _Elias Fries_; his genius, spirit and scholarship entitle him to

the recognition and sympathy of every lover of the intellectual life.

c. The considerations just mentioned may, indeed do, sometimes act as a

handicap to the American student, for the simple reason that he comes

later to the field of time. He must naturally defer to the decision of

men in Europe who are supposedly familiar with original types. An

American specimen is presumably the same as one occurring elsewhere in

similar latitude and environment. It becomes evident after while that

only in certain instances is this undoubtedly the fact. The flora of the

American continent has been sufficiently disjoined in space and time

from Europe to permit extensive differentiation even in these minor

forms, so that we have indeed in the groups we study many species, some

genera, definitely autochthonous, more it is believed than are now

suspected. An attempt to bring a specimen under the terms of a species

described in Western Europe is not seldom an error. It becomes evident,

as we go forward, that in eastern North America there are forms not only

not described in European literature, but really not, part of European

flora, not even adventitiously.

The North American Slime-Moulds A Descriptive List of All Species of Myxomycetes Hitherto Reported from the Continent of North America, with Notes on Some Extra-Limital Species · 第 5 / 6 章

This widely distributed and very variable species is generally