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From the Journal of the Cincinnati Society of Natural History, Oct.
1892, Jan. 1893.
THE MYXOMYCETES OF THE MIAMI VALLEY, OHIO.
BY A. P. MORGAN.
First Paper.
(Read January 3, 1893.)
Table of Contents
MYXOMYCETES, Wallr.
Order Genera Page
LICEACEAE. 4
Licea 4
Tubulina 6
Lycogala 7
RETICULARIACEAE. 10
Reticularia 10
Clathroptychium 12
Cibraria 13
Dictydium 16
PERICHAENACEAE. 19
Perichaena 19
Ophiotheca 21
ARCYRIACEAE. 23
Lachnobolus 23
Arcyria 24
Heterotrichia 27
TRICHIACEAE. 28
Hemiarcyria 29
Calonema 33
Trichia 34
Oligonema 40
STEMONITACEAE. 43
Clastoderma 44
Lamproderma 45
Comatricha 48
Stemonitis 52
Enerthenema 56
Diachaea 56
DIDYMIACEAE. 58
Didymium 59
Spumaria 64
Diderma 66
Lepidoderma 72
PHYSARACEAE. 73
Angioridium 75
Cienkowskia 75
Leocarpus 76
Physarella 78
Cytidium 80
Craterium 84
Physarum 88
Fuligo 102
Badhamia 105
Scyphium 109
List or Illustrations
Vol. XV. Plate III. Figs. 1-12.
Vol. XVI. Plate I. Figs. 13-24.
Vol. XVI. Plate XI. Figs. 25-36.
Vol. XVI. Plate XII. Figs. 37-48.
Vol. XIX. Plate XIII. Figs. 49-55.
Vol. XIX. Plate XIV. Figs. 56-63.
Vol. XIX. Plate XV. Figs. 64-73.
PRESTON, HAMILTON COUNTY, OHIO, December 28, 1892.
MR. DAVIS L. JAMES
_Dear Sir_--Along with this I send you the first installment of the
papers, entitled "The Myxomycetes of the Miami Valley, Ohio."
The work in these papers is based upon my ample collection of
Myxomycetes growing in this region, comprising more than one hundred
species; these have been diligently compared with specimens obtained
from correspondents elsewhere in this country and in Europe.
At the same time, I have also included many extra limital species. This
has been done chiefly to more clearly elucidate the subject in places
where the local material is not sufficient.
The only apology I can make for the arrangement which I present, is that
I have been obliged to choose from several different systems. I have
aimed not to hamper myself, by attaching paramount importance to some
particular character throughout.
I purpose to furnish a synopsis of the whole at the end of the work.
Very truly yours,
A. P. MORGAN.
* * * * *
MYXOMYCETES, Wallr.
Fructification essentially a minute membranaceous vesicle, the
SPORANGIUM inclosing the SPORES, the product of a motile protoplasmic
body called the PLASMODIUM.
Microscopic organisms with the habit of the Fungi. The ripe spore of the
Myxomycetes is globose or ellipsoidal in shape, with the epispore
colorless or colored, and smooth or marked by characteristic
surface--sculpture according to the species; the spore in germination
gives rise to an elongated protoplasmic body, which exhibits amoeboid
movements, and is known by the name of _swarm-cell_. The swarm-cells
multiply by bipartition, which may be repeated through several
generations; they then unite together to form the large motile
protoplasmic bodies named _plasmodia_. The newly-formed plasmodium is
distinguished by its greater size from the swarm-cells, while it
exhibits essentially the same movements and changes of shape. The
plasmodia gradually increase in size, and as they grow assume commonly
the form of branched strands; these spread over the surface of the
substratum, which is usually the decaying parts of plants, in the form
of veins and net-works of veins, giving rise to a copiously-branched
reticulated or frill-like expansion, which covers surfaces varying in
extent from a few to several centimeters. They are chiefly composed of a
soft protoplasm of the consistence of cream, which may be readily spread
out into a shapeless smear, and is usually colorless, but sometimes
exhibits brilliant colors of yellow, orange, rose, purple, etc. The
development of the plasmodium ceases with the formation of the _spores_
within their _sporangia_.
The formation of the sporangia out of the plasmodium appears under three
general forms, which, however, pass into each other and are, therefore,
not strictly limited.
_First:_ An entire plasmodium spread out on its substratum becomes
transformed into a sporangium, or it divides into a variable number of
unequal and irregular pieces, each of which undergoes transformation.
Such a sporangium lying flat on the substratum, more or less elongated
and flexuous, often branched and reticulate, is termed a
_plasmodiocarp_.
_Second:_ Erect sporangia on a narrow or stalk-like base, begin as
node-like swellings on the branches of the plasmodium, and gradually
rise to their ultimate form as the surrounding protoplasm flows into
them and assumes an upward direction. These sporangia are nearly always
perfectly regular in shape; they may be globose, obovoid, somewhat
depressed, or more or less elongated, and are either stipitate or
sessile.
_Third:_ A number of plasmodia collect together from every side and
become fused into a single body, often of considerable dimensions; from
these combinations originate the large spore-receptacles which are
called _aethalia_. The component sporangia may be regular in shape,
standing close together, in a single stratum, with entire connate walls;
more often, being elongated and flexuous, they branch and anastomose
freely, their walls becoming perforated and more or less defective; in
other cases, the aethalium is a compound plasmodiocarp, the narrow
sinuous sporangia branched and anastomosing in all directions, forming
an intricate network, closely packed together and inseparable. The
surface of the aethalium is often covered by a continuous layer of some
excreted substance, which is called the _common cortex_.
The wall of the sporangium, typically, is a thin, firm membrane,
colorless and pellucid, or colored in various shades of violet, brown,
yellow, etc.; it is sometimes extremely delicate, as in Lamproderma, or
is scarcely evident, as in Stemonitis; in other instances it is
thickened by deposits on the inner surface, as in Tubulina, or by
incrustations on the outer surface, as in Chondrioderma. The stipes are
tubes usually with a thick wall, which is often wrinkled and folded
lengthwise, and is confluent above with the wall of the sporangium; in
some cases the stipe also enters the sporangium, and is more or less
prolonged within it as a _columella_. The stipe commonly expands at the
base into a membrane, which fastens it to the substratum, and is called
the _hypothallus_; when all the stipes of the same group of sporangia
stand upon a single continuous membrane, it is called a _common
hypothallus_.
In the simplest forms, the cavity of the sporangium is filled
exclusively with the numerous spores; but in most all of the genera,
tubules or threads of different forms occur among the spores and
constitute the _capillitium_. The capillitium first makes its appearance
in Reticularia, in which upon the inner surface of the walls of the
sporangia there are abundant fibrous thickenings; next in Cribraria it
is spread over the inner surface of the wall, and is early separated
from it; here, also, it first assumes a more definite form and
arrangement; in Physarum it is in connection with the wall of the
sporangium only by its extremities while it traverses the interior with
a complicated network; in Stemonitis and its allies the capillitium
originates wholly from the columella; in most species of Arcyria it
issues from the interior of the stipe. The capillitium in Trichia
consists of numerous slender threads which are _free_, that is, are not
attached in any way; they are usually simple and pointed at each
extremity; the surface of these threads exhibits beautiful spiral
markings.
ORDER I. LICEACEAE.
Sporangia always sessile, simple and regular or plasmodiocarp, sometimes
united into an aethalium. The wall a thin, firm, persistent membrane,
often granulose-thickened, usually rupturing irregularly. Spores
globose, usually some shade of umber or olivaceous, rarely violaceous.
The species of this order are the simplest of the Myxomycetes; the
sporangium, with a firm, persistent wall contains only the spores. There
is no trace of a capillitium, unless a few occasional threads in the
wall of Tubulina prefigure such a structure. To the genera of this order
is appended the anomalous genus Lycogala, which seems to me better
placed here than elsewhere.
TABLE OF GENERA OF LICEACEAE.
1. LICEA. Sporangia simple and regular or plasmodiocarp, gregarious;
hypothallus none.
2. TUBULINA. Sporangia cylindric, or by mutual pressure becoming
prismatic, distinct or more or less connate and aethalioid, seated upon a
common hypothallus.
3. LYCOGALA. AEthalium with a firm membranaceous wall; from the inner
surface of the wall proceed numerous slender tubules, which are
intermingled with the spores.
I. LICEA, Schrad. Sporangia sessile, simple and regular or
plasmodiocarp, gregarious, close or scattered; hypothallus none; the
wall a thin, firm membrane, sometimes thickened with scales or granules,
breaking up irregularly and falling away or dehiscent in a regular
manner. Spores globose, variously colored.
The sporangia are not seated on a common hypothallus; they are,
consequently, more or less irregularly scattered about on the
substratum.
1. LICEA VARIABILIS, Schrad. Plasmodiocarp not much elongated, usually
scattered, sometimes closer and confluent, somewhat depressed, the
surface uneven or a little roughened and not shining, reddish-brown or
blackish in color; the wall a thin, firm pellucid membrane, covered by a
dense outer layer of thick brown or blackish scales, rupturing
irregularly. Spores in mass pale ochraceous, globose or oval, even or
nearly so, 13-16 mic. in diameter.
Growing on old wood. Plasmodiocarp 1-1.5 mm. in length, though sometimes
confluent and longer. The wall is thick and rough, not at all shining.
It is evidently the species of Schweinitz referred to by Fries under
this name.
2. LICEA LINDHEIMERI, Berk. Sporangia sessile, regular, globose,
gregarious, scattered or sometimes crowded, dark bay in color, smooth
and shining; the wall a thin membrane with a yellow-brown outer layer,
opaque, rupturing irregularly. Spores in mass bright bay, globose,
minutely warted, opaque, 5-6 mic. in diameter.
Growing on herbaceous stems sent from Texas. Sporangia about .4 mm. in
diameter. The bright bay mass of spores within will serve to distinguish
the species. The thin brown wall appears dark bay with the inclosed
spores.
3. LICEA BIFORIS, Morgan, n. sp. Sporangia regular, compressed, sessile
on a narrow base, gregarious; the wall thin, firm, smooth, yellow-brown
in color and nearly opaque, with minute scattered granules on the inner
surface, at maturity opening along the upper edge into two equal parts,
which remain persistent by the base. Spores yellow-brown in mass,
globose or oval, even, 9-12 mic. in diameter. See Plate III, Fig. 1.
Growing on the inside bark of Liriodendron. Sporangia .25-.40 mm. in
length, shaped exactly like a bivalve shell and opening in a similar
manner. I have also received specimens of this curious species from
Prof. J. Dearness, London, Canada.
4. LICEA PUSILLA, Schrad. Sporangia regular, sessile, hemispheric, the
base depressed, gregarious, chestnut-brown, shining; the wall thin,
smooth, dark-colored and nearly opaque, dehiscent at the apex into
regular segments. Spores in the mass blackish-brown, globose, even,
16-18 mic. in diameter.
Growing on old wood, Sporangium about 1 mm. in diameter. On account of
the color of the spores the genus _Protoderma_ was created for this
species by Rostafinski. It is number 2,316 of Schweinitz's N. A. Fungi.
II. TUBULINA, Pers. Sporangia cylindric, or by mutual pressure becoming
prismatic, distinct or more or less connate and aethalioid, the apex
convex, seated upon a common hypothallus; the wall a thin membrane,
minutely granulose, firm and quite persistent, gradually breaking away
from the apex downward. Spores abundant, globose, umber or olivaceous.
The sporangia usually stand erect in a single stratum, with their walls
separate or grown together: in the more compact aethalioid forms,
however, the sporangia, becoming elongated and flexuous, pass upward and
outward in various directions, branching and anastomosing freely. See
Plate III, Figs. 2, 3, 4.
1. TUBULINA CYLINDRICA, Bull. Sporangia cylindric, more or less
elongated, closely crowded, distinct or connate, pale umber to
rusty-brown in color, seated on a well developed hypothallus; the wall
thin, firm, with minute veins and granules, semi-opaque, pale umber,
often iridescent. Spores in mass pale umber to rusty-brown, globose,
most of the surface reticulate, 6-8 mic. in diameter.
Growing on old wood, mosses, etc. AEthalium circular or irregular in
shape, from one to several centimeters in extent, the individual
sporangia 2-4 mm. in height. Plasmodium at first milky-white, soon
changing to bright red, then to umber, becoming paler when mature and
dry.
2. TUBULINA CASPARYI, Rost. Sporangia more or less elongated, closely
crowded and prismatic, connate, pale umber to brown in color, seated on
a conspicuous hypothallus; the wall thin, firm, minutely granulose,
semi-opaque, pale umber, iridescent when well matured; all or many of
the sporangia traversed by a central columella, from which a few narrow
bands of the membrane stretch to the adjacent walls. Spores in the mass
pale umber to brown, globose, the surface reticulate, 7-9 mic. in
diameter.
Growing on old prostrate trunks. AEthalium two or three to several
centimeters in extent, the individual sporangia 3-5 mm. in height.
Plasmodium white, the immature sporangia dull-gray tinged with sienna
color. The columella, with its radiating bits of membrane, is the same
substance as the wall; it may be a reentrant edge of the prismatic
sporangium, caused by excessive crowding together; at least, this may be
regarded as its origin; there may have arisen some further adaptation.
The species is _Siphoptychium Casparyi_, Rost. I am indebted to Dr.
George A. Rex for the specimens I have examined.
3. TUBULINA CAESPITOSA, Peck. Sporangia short-cylindric, closely crowded,
distinct or connate, argillaceous olive to olive-brown in color, seated
on a well-developed hypothallus; the wall a thin membrane, with a dense
layer of minute dark-colored round granules on the inner surface. Spores
argillaceous olive in the mass, globose, minutely warted, 6-8 mic. in
diameter.
Growing on old wood. AEthalium in irregular patches sometimes several
centimeters in extent, the single sporangia about 1 mm. in height.
Plasmodium dark olivaceous, the sporangia blackish if dried when
immature, taking a paler shade of olivaceous, according to development
and maturity. This is _Perichaena caespitosa_, Peck, in the 31st N. Y.
Report.
III. LYCOGALA, Mich. AEthalium with a firm membranaceous wall; from the
inner surface of the wall proceed numerous slender tubules, which are
intermingled with the spores. The material of the wall appears under
three different forms: the inner layer is a thin membrane, uniform in
structure, of a yellow-brown color, and semi-pellucid; the outer layer
consists of large flat roundish or irregular vesicles, brown in color,
filled with minute granules, and arranged in one or more strata; from
these vesicles originate the tubules, which traverse the wall for a
certain distance, and then enter the interior among the spores; the
tubules are more or less compressed, simple or branched, and the surface
is ornamented with warts and ridges, which sometimes form irregular
rings and reticulations.
If the sporophores in this genus be regarded as simple sporangia, which
is the view that Rostafinski takes of one of the species, the tubules
are simply the peculiar threads of a capillitium. If, however, the
aethalium is a compound plasmodiocarp, the tubules stand for the original
plasmodial strands and, consequently, represent the component sporangia.
1. LYCOGALA CONICUM, Pers. AEthalia small, ovoid-conic, gregarious,
sometimes close together with the bases confluent, the surface pale
umber or olivaceous marked with short brown lines, regularly dehiscent
at the apex. The wall thin; the outer layer not continuous, the
irregular brown vesicles disposed in angular patches and elongated
bands, which have a somewhat reticulate arrangement. The tubules appear
as a thin stratum upon the inner membrane; they do not branch, and they
send long slender simple extremities inward among the spores. Spores in
mass pale ochraceous, globose, minutely warted, 5-6 mic. in diameter.
See Plate III, Fig. 5.
Growing on old wood. AEthalium 2-5 mm. in height, the tubules 3-8 mic. in
thickness. This is _Dermodium conicum_ of Rostafinski's monograph, but
the structure is essentially the same as in the other species. Massee
evidently did not have specimens of this species. I have never seen any
branching of the tubules either in the wall or in the free extremities
of the interior.
2. LYCOGALA EXIGUUM, Morg. n. sp. AEthalia small, globose, gregarious,
the surface dark brown or blackish, minutely scaly, irregularly
dehiscent. The wall thin; the vesicles with a dark polygonal outline,
disposed in thin irregular reticulate patches, which are more or less
confluent. The tubules appear as an interwoven fibrous stratum upon the
inner membrane; they send long slender branched extremities inward among
the spores. Spores in mass pale ochraceous, globose, nearly smooth, 5-6
mic. in diameter. See Plate III, Fig. 6.
Growing on old wood. AEthalium 2-5 mm. in diameter, the threads 2-10 mic.
in thickness, with very slight thickenings of the membrane. The
polygonal vesicles give a reticulate appearance to the dark-brown
patches which ornament the surface of the wall.
3. LYCOGALA EPIDENDRUM, Buxb. AEthalia subglobose, gregarious, sometimes
closely crowded and irregular, the surface umber, brown or olivaceous,
minutely warted, at length, irregularly dehiscent at or about the apex.
The wall thick, the brown vesicles loosely aggregated and densely
agglutinated together, traversed in all directions by the much-branched
tubules, which send long-branched extremities inward among the spores;
the main branches thick and flat, with wide expansions, especially at
the angles, the ultimate branchlets more slender and obtuse at the apex.
Spores in the mass from pale to reddish ochre, globose, minutely warted,
5-6 mic. in diameter. See Plate III, Fig. 7.
Growing on old wood. AEthalium 5-12 mm. in diameter, the width of the
tubules varying from 12-25 mic. in the main branches, with broader
expansions at the angles, to 6-12 mic. in the more slender final
branchlets. This is one of the most common of the Myxomycetes; it grows
in all countries, and in this region may be found on old trunks at all
seasons of the year.
4. LYCOGALA FLAVOFUSCUM, Ehr. AEthalia large, subglobose or somewhat
pulvinate, solitary or gregarious, the surface at first silvery-shining,
becoming yellow-brown, minutely areolate, irregularly dehiscent. The
wall very thick and firm, hard and rigid; the thick outer layer of
roundish brown vesicles closely compacted in numerous strata; from the
vesicles of the lower strata the long and broad much-branched tubules
proceed into the interior among the spores; the ultimate branchlets
clavate and obtuse at the apex. Spores in the mass pale ochre, cinerous
or brownish, globose, minutely warted, 5-6 mic. in diameter. See Plate
III, Figs. 8, 9.
Growing on old trunks. AEthalium 1 to several centimeters in diameter,
the width of the tubules varying from 25-60 mic. in the main branches,
with sometimes much broader expansions at the angles, to 10-25 mic. in
the ultimate branchlets. The brown vesicles of the outer wall are easily
separated from each other and emptied of their contents by maceration;
it is then seen that a thin pellucid membrane incloses numerous roundish
granules, much resembling the spores, but usually a little larger, 5-8
mic. in diameter.
ORDER II.--RETICULARIACEAE.
Sporangia simple, regular and stipitate, or compound, forming an
aethalium; the wall a thin membrane with distinct fibrous thickenings
upon the inner surface, the membrane, or at least certain portions of
it, disappearing usually at the maturity of the spores, leaving behind
the more permanent fibrous thickenings as a more or less definite
capillitium. Spores globose, purple, brown, ochraceous, rarely
violaceous.
In this order the threads of a capillitium first make their appearance;
but they are confined to the inner surface of the wall of the
sporangium, being set at liberty by the early decay of the outer
membrane.
TABLE OF GENERA OF RETICULARIACEAE.
_a. AEthalia._
1. RETICULARIA. AEthalium composed of numerous slender sinuous sporangia
which repeatedly branch and anastomose.
2. CLATHROPTYCHIUM. AEthalium composed of numerous regular erect
sporangia.
_b. Sporangia simple._
3. CRIBRARIA. Capillitium of slender threads combined into a network of
polygonal meshes.
4. DICTYDIUM. Capillitium of numerous convergent ribs, which extend from
base to apex, and are united by fine transverse fibers, thus forming a
network of rectangular meshes.
I. RETICULARIA, Bull. AEthalium composed of numerous slender sinuous
sporangia, which repeatedly branch and anastomose, closely packed
together and seated upon a common hypothallus, the apices of the final
branches coherent at the surface, and naked or covered by an additional
corticate layer. Walls of the sporangia consisting of a thin membrane,
with abundant fibrous thickenings, presenting broad expansions,
narrowing to thin flat bands, and reduced in many places to slender
fibrous threads. Spores abundant, globose, umber or violaceous.
After the maturity of the spores disintegration of the sporangial wall
begins, the thin membrane disappearing more rapidly than the fibrous
thickenings or the portions of the sporangial walls near the base, which
are more compactly grown together; there is thus left at each stage an
increasing number of the shreddy fibers mingled with the spores.
1. RETICULARIA SPLENDENS, Morg. n. sp. AEthalium pulvinate, circular or
more or less elongated and irregular, seated on a conspicuous silvery
hypothallus; the surface naked, bright umber, smooth and shining. Walls
of the sporangia firm and quite persistent, pale umber, slowly
disintegrating, consisting for the most part of wide expansions, with
their angles tapering to narrow bands and slender threads. Spores in the
mass pale umber, globose, most of the surface reticulate, 7-9 mic. in
diameter. See Plate III, Fig. 10.
Growing on old wood. AEthalium from 1 to several centimeters in extent
and 5-10 mm. in thickness, usually growing singly, rarely close enough
to be confluent. This species has lately been referred to _Reticularia
rozeana_, Rost., but it varies greatly from the account given of that
species in the Journal of Botany for September, 1891.
2. RETICULARIA UMBRINA, Fr. AEthalium pulvinate, roundish, more or less
irregular, the surface covered by a thin, silvery, shining, common
cortex, which at the base is confluent with the hypothallus. Walls of
the sporangia umber or rusty-brown next the base, with broad expansions
in places thickly grown together, toward the surface passing into narrow
bands and abundant fibrous threads, which rapidly disintegrate. Spores
in the mass umber or rusty brown, globose, most of the surface
reticulate, 7-9 mic. in diameter.
Growing on old trunks. AEthalium one to several centimeters in extent,
and 5-15 mm. in thickness. The walls of the sporangia are much more
reduced to the shreddy fibrous condition than in the preceding species,
and on this account they much more rapidly disintegrate, causing the
aethalium soon to collapse. It is _Reticularia Lycoperdon_, Bull.
3. RETICULARIA ATRA, A. & S. AEthalium pulvinate, variable in form and
size, covered with a thin, fragile, blackish, cortical layer. Walls of
the sporangia violaceous, next the base with broad expansions, in places
more thickly grown together, toward the surface becoming narrow with
more abundant fibrous threads, sometimes presenting a loose irregular
network, the whole structure, however, quite variable, according to the
stage of the disintegration. Spores globose, violet, minutely warted,
14-16 mic. in diameter.
Growing on wood and bark, especially of pine. AEthalium 2 or 3 to several
centimeters in extent. This is _Amaurochaete atra_ of Rostafinski's
monograph, but the structure appears to be altogether similar to that of
_Reticularia umbrina_.
II. CLATHROPTYCHIUM, Rost. AEthalium composed of numerous regular erect
sporangia, seated in a single compact stratum, on a well-developed
hypothallus, the surface formed by the coherent apices. Sporangia at
first cylindric, with the apex convex and the wall entire; soon, by
mutual pressure, they become prismatic and the lateral faces disappear,
leaving the edges and the apex permanent. Spores globose, ochraceous.
1. CLATHROPTYCHIUM RUGULOSUM, Wallr. AEthalium composed of numerous very
slender sporangia, closely compacted into a single stratum, and seated
on a conspicuous silvery hypothallus; the surface ochroleucous, honey
color or olivaceous. The sporangia are typically hexangular when the
lateral faces disappear, leaving at the edges six simple triangular
threads, extending from the angles of the hexagonal apex downward to the
base. Spores in the mass ochraceous, yellowish or brownish, globose,
minutely warted, 8-10 mic. in diameter.
Growing on old wood. AEthalium somewhat circular, or often quite
irregular in shape, 1 to several centimeters in extent, the individual
sporangia nearly 1 mm. in height, but scarcely .1 mm. in thickness.
Deviations from the typical form of the sporangia sometimes occur, they
are not seldom pentangular, and I have seen the apices quadrangular,
with only four threads, or even triangular, and with but three; the
threads, too, are said occasionally to branch and anastomose.
_Reticularia plumbea_, Fries, S. M. III, 88; and _Ostracoderma
spadiceum_, Schw., N. A. Fungi No. 2,381.
III. CRIBRARIA, Pers. Sporangia simple, globose or obovoid, stipitate,
often cernuous; the wall regularly thickened on the inner surface in two
ways, the lower basal portion by radiating ribs consisting of minute
brown granules, the upper part by slender threads combined into a
network of polygonal meshes; the basal portion of the membrane is
commonly persistent with its thickening and is called the _calyculus_,
the upper part nearly always disappears from the network at maturity;
there are usually nodules of the brown granules at the angles of the
network. Spores globose, purple, brown, ochraceous.
_a. Sporangium, large._
1. CRIBRARIA ARGILLACEA, Pers. Sporangia globose or obovoid, stipitate
or nearly sessile, standing close together on a thin and evanescent
hypothallus; the wall quite firm, silvery-shining, the greater portion
persistent, breaking away about the apex; calyculus small, the brown
radiating ribs soon passing into a network of polygonal meshes, the
threads with irregular granulose-thickened portions at intervals
throughout their whole extent. Stipe very short, erect, brown. Spores in
the mass argillaceous, globose, 5-7 mic. in diameter.
Growing in large irregular patches on rotten trunks. Sporangia .6-.8 mm.
in diameter, the stipe always much shorter than the sporangium,
sometimes nearly obsolete. The resemblance of this species to some forms
of _Tubulina caespitosa_ is very great.
2. CRIBRARIA VULGARIS, Schrad. Sporangium large, globose, stipitate,
somewhat cernuous; the calyculus brown, finely ribbed and granulose
within, occupying but a small part of the sporangium; the network of
slender threads, with very small nodules at the angles, each with
several (3-7) radiating threads, sometimes with one or two free
extremities, the meshes triangular or rhombic. Stipe rather short,
stout, tapering upward, usually a little bent or curved at the apex,
dark purplish brown in color. Spores in the mass pale ochraceous,
globose, even, 5-7 mic. in diameter.
Growing on old wood. Sporangium .5-.7 mm. in diameter, the stipe two or
three times the diameter of the sporangium in length. Recognized by the
large sporangium and the very small nodules with their few radiating
threads.
3. CRIBRARIA DICTYDIOIDES, C. & B. Sporangium large, globose, stipitate,
cernuous; the calyculus small, with thickish brown ribs, from which the
outer thin membrane often disappears soon after maturity; the network of
slender threads, with large brown nodules at the angles, more or less
elongated and irregular in shape, each with numerous (5-15) radiating
threads, usually some with free extremities, the meshes largely
triangular. Stipe long, tapering upward, flexuous, curved at the apex,
dark purplish-brown in color. Spores in mass pale ochraceous, globose,
even, 5-7 mic. in diameter.
Growing on rotten wood, especially of oak. Sporangium .5-.6 mm. in
diameter, the stipe from three to five times as long. This species
appears to be intermediate between _Cribraria vulgaris_ and _Cribraria
intricata_; the nodules are usually large and irregular, but the
characteristic parallel threads of _C. intricata_ do not often occur.
The outer membrane of the calyculus is by no means always absent.
4. CRIBRARIA ELEGANS, B. & C. Sporangium rather large, globose,
stipitate, somewhat cernuous; the calyculus thickly coated inside with
dark purple granules, faintly ribbed, occupying about a third part of
the sporangium; the network of slender threads, with large irregular
dark purple nodules, quite variable in shape and size, angular and
lobed, below sometimes much elongated, the meshes very irregular. Stipe
rather short, tapering upward, bent at the apex, dark purple in color.
Spores in the mass bright purple, globose, even, 5-7 mic. in diameter.
Growing on old wood. Sporangium .4-.5 mm. in diameter, the stipe two or
three times as long. It does not appear to be greatly different from
_Cribraria purpurea_, Schrad.
_b. Sporangium, small._
5. CRIBRARIA TENELLA, Schrad. Sporangium small, globose, stipitate,
cernuous; the calyculus brown, shining, granulose within and faintly
ribbed, occupying from one-fourth to one-half the sporangium, sometimes
the outer thin membrane early disappearing; the network of slender
threads with small roundish or irregular nodules at the angles, each
with several (4-8) radiating threads, sometimes two or three with free
extremities, the meshes triangular or rhombic. Stipe long, tapering
upward, flexuous, curved at the apex, purplish-brown in color. Spores
pale ochraceous in mass, globose, even, 5-7 mic. in diameter.
Growing on old wood. The sporangium .3-.4 mm. in diameter, the stipe
three to five times as long. This is a much more delicate species than
_Cribraria dictydioides_. The calyculus is variable in size; in some
examples the thin connecting membrane between the ribs has disappeared.
6. CRIBRARIA MICROCARPA, Schrad. Sporangium very small, globose,
stipitate, somewhat cernuous; the calyculus represented by a few short
brown ribs, the outer membrane soon disappearing; the network of slender
threads, with small roundish nodules at the angles, each with several
(4-6) radiating threads, with an occasional free extremity, the meshes
largely rhombic. Stipe very long, slender, somewhat flexuous, bent at
the apex, purplish-brown in color. Spores in mass pale ochraceous,
globose, even, 6-7 mic. in diameter.
Growing on old wood. Sporangium .22-.27 mm. in diameter, the stipes 1-2
mm. in length. Readily distinguished by its very small sporangium and
the comparatively very long stem. I am indebted to Dr. George A. Rex for
specimens of this species.
7. CRIBRARIA CUPREA, Morg. n. sp. Sporangium very small, oval or
somewhat obovoid, stipitate, cernuous; the calyculus copper-colored,
finely ribbed and granulose within, occupying from one-third to one-half
the sporangium; the network of slender threads, with rather large
triangular or quadrilateral meshes, and with large irregular dark
copper-colored nodules, each having several (4-7) radiating threads,
with an occasional free extremity. Stipe not very long, tapering upward,
curved at the apex, of the same color as the sporangium or darker below.
Spores pale coppery in mass, globose, even, 6-7 mic. in diameter. See
Plate III, Fig. 11.
Growing on old wood. Sporangium .30-.35 X .25-.30 mm, the stipe two to
four times as long as the sporangium. A minute species, easily
recognized by its almost uniform color of bright new copper.
IV. DICTYDIUM, Schrad. Sporangium simple, depressed-globose, stipitate,
cernuous; the wall regularly thickened on the inner surface by numerous
convergent ribs, which extend from base to apex and are united by fine
transverse fibers, thus forming a network of rectangular meshes; the
basal portion of the membrane sometimes persists as a calyculus, the
upper part disappears at maturity. Spores globose; purplish.
The ribs run from base to apex like the meridians on a globe; they are
simple, or here and there they separate into two divergent branches,
which sometimes again converge into one; at the apex of the sporangium
there is usually a small irregular net in which all the ribs terminate.
1. DICTYDIUM CERNUUM, Pers. Sporangium depressed-globose, umbilicate at
the apex, stipitate, cernuous, purplish-brown in color; the calyculus
granulose within, occupying from one-fourth to one-third of the
sporangium, the ribs united by firm, persistent fibers. Stipe not very
long, erect, tapering upward, bent at the apex, purplish-brown, the apex
pale and pellucid, standing on a small hypothallus. Spores
purplish-brown in mass, globose, even, 5-7 mic. in diameter.
Growing on old wood. Sporangium .4-.5 mm. in diameter, the stipe two or
three times longer than the diameter of the sporangium. This appears to
be the species figured and described by Rostafinski and by Massee.
2. DICTYDIUM LONGIPES, Morg. n. sp. Sporangium large, depressed-globose,
the apex umbilicate, stipitate, cernuous, dark purple in color;
calyculus usually wholly wanting, the ribs united by weak fibers, which
are easily torn asunder, allowing the ribs to curl up inwards. Stipe
very long, flexuous, tapering upward, curved and twisted at the apex,
dark purple in color, standing on a thin hypothallus. Spores in the mass
dark purple, globose, even, 5-7 mic. in diameter. See Plate III, Fig.
12.
Growing on rotten wood, mosses, etc. Sporangium .5-.7 mm. in diameter,
the stipe three to five times as long. This is a much larger species
than the preceding; it has a uniform dark purple hue, the stipe is very
long and much bent and twisted, the ribs of the sporangium are soon torn
apart and rolled inward.
EXPLANATION OF PLATE III
Fig. 1.--Licea biforis, Morgan, n. sp.
Figs. 2, 3, 4.--Diagrammatic representation of the structure of Tubulina
Fig. 5.--Lycogala conicum, Pers., natural size
Fig. 6.--Lycogala exiguum, Morgan, n. sp., natural size
Fig. 7.--Lycogala epidendrum, Buxb., natural size
Fig. 8.--Lycogala flavofuscum, Ehr., natural size
Fig. 9.--Portion of tubule of Lycogala flavofuscum
Fig. 10.--Reticularia splendens, Morgan, n. sp., natural size
Fig. 11.--Cribraria cuprea, Morgan, n. sp.
Fig. 12.--Dictydium longipes, Morgan, n. sp.
[Illustration: The Journal of the Cin. Soc. Natural History.
VOL. XV. PLATE III.]
* * * * *
From the Journal of the Cincinnati Society of Natural History, April,
1893.
THE MYXOMYCETES OF THE MIAMI VALLEY, OHIO.
BY A. P. MORGAN.
Second Paper.
(Read May 2, 1893.)
ORDER III. PERICHAENACEAE.
Sporangia sessile or plasmodiocarp; the wall a thin membrane, with a
more or less thickened outer layer of minute brownish scales and
granules. Capillitium of long and very slender tubules, proceeding from
numerous points of the sporangial wall, loosely branched, forming no
evident network, the surface minutely warted or spinulose. Spores
globose, oval, or somewhat irregular, yellow.
The order is distinguished by the sessile sporangia, with thick brown
walls, and the very slender threads of the capillitium, with irregular
and indefinite markings.
TABLE OF GENERA OF PERICHAENACEAE.
1. PERICHAENA. Sporangia more or less depressed, roundish or more
commonly polygonal and irregular, dehiscent in a circumscissile manner.
2. OPHIOTHECA. Plasmodiocarp terete and more or less elongated, bent and
flexuous, sometimes annular or reticulate, irregularly dehiscent.
I. PERICHAENA, Fr. Sporangia more or less depressed, roundish or more
commonly polygonal and irregular, the edges approximate and sometimes
confluent; the wall a thin membrane, with a thick dense yellow-brown
outer layer of minute scales and granules, becoming darker at the
surface, dehiscent in a circumscissile manner. Capillitium of very
slender loosely-branched threads, with the surface minutely warted.
Spores globose, oval or somewhat irregular, yellow.
Distinguished from Ophiotheca by the flattened sporangium with a regular
circumscissile dehiscence.
1. PERICHAENA DEPRESSA, Lib. Sporangia very much depressed, polygonal,
irregular, crowded, the edges contiguous, sometimes confluent; the wall
thick, yellow-brown within and scarcely impressed by the spores; the
outer surface smooth, brown-red to brown or blackish in color, dehiscent
in a circumscissile manner. Capillitium of slender loosely-branched
threads, 1-3 mic. in thickness, the surface merely uneven or very
minutely warted. Spores globose, yellow, 9-10 mic. in diameter. See
Plate I, Fig. 13.
Growing on the inside of the bark of Juglans, Acer, etc. Sporangia
variable in size, 7-1.3 mm. in breadth, irregular and angular, much
flattened. It is said to include _Perichaena vaporaria_, Schw.
2. PERICHAENA IRREGULARIS, B. & C. Sporangia depressed, irregular,
polygonal, crowded, the edges contiguous and sometimes confluent; the
wall thick, yellow inside and faintly reticulately impressed by the
spores, the outer surface smooth, purplish-brown, dehiscent in a
circumscissile manner. Capillitium of slender-loosely branched threads,
about 2 mic. in thickness, the surface minutely warted or spinulose.
Spores subglobose, yellow, 9-10 mic. in diameter.
Growing on the outer bark of Acer, etc. Sporangium .5-.6 mm. in width,
closely crowded and irregular. It is much smaller than _Perichaena
depressa_, and its threads are more distinctly warted and spinulose.
3. PERICHAENA CORTICALIS, Batsch. Sporangia globose, the base depressed,
gregarious: the wall thick, yellow within and distinctly reticulately
impressed by the spores, the outer surface reddish-brown or yellow-brown
in color, dehiscent in a circumscissile manner. Capillitium of slender
loosely-branched threads, about 2 mic. in thickness, the surface very
minutely warted. Spores subglobose, yellow, 10-12 mic. in diameter.
Growing on the inside of the bark of Elm. Sporangia .5-.6 mm. in
diameter, quite regular in shape, with a slightly flattened base. My
specimens are from Prof. McBride, of Iowa.
4. PERICHAENA MARGINATA, Schw. Sporangia depressed, polygonal,
approximate and sometimes confluent, the surface cinereous-pulverulent,
seated on a silvery hypothallus; the wall firm, thick, the outer surface
yellow-brown, covered with minute whitish scales, the inner surface
yellow, deeply reticulately impressed by the spores which rest against
it, dehiscent in a circumscissile manner. Capillitium consisting of a
few simple or somewhat branched threads or well-nigh obsolete. Spores
subglobose, yellow, 12-14 mic. in diameter.
Growing on the outer surface of the bark of Acer, Fagus, etc. Sporangia
.4-.6 mm. in width. This is plainly _Perichaena cano-flavescens_,
Raunkier. I do not find any threads of a capillitium in my specimens.
II. OPHIOTHECA, Currey. Plasmodiocarp terete and more or less elongated,
bent and flexuous, sometimes annular or reticulate, the surface not
polished or shining: the wall a thin membrane, with a thin outer layer
of minute scales and granules, irregularly dehiscent. Capillitium of
very slender loosely-branched threads, with the surface minutely warted
and spinulose. Spores globose, oval or somewhat irregular, yellow.
Distinguished from Perichaena by the terete plasmodiocarp and by the more
spinulose capillitium. _Cornuvia_ of Rostafinski.
1. OPHIOTHECA CHRYSOSPERMA, Currey. Plasmodiocarp globose or oblong to
elongated, and bent or flexuous, sometimes annular or branched and
reticulate, dull brown in color; the wall a thin yellowish membrane,
with a thin yellow-brown outer layer, irregularly dehiscent. Capillitium
of slender loosely-branched threads, 2-3 mic. in thickness, the surface
minutely spinulose. Spores subglobose, yellow, 8-9 mic. in diameter.
Growing on the inner surface of old bark of Quercus, etc. Plasmodiocarp
.4-.5 mm. in thickness, variable in length. _Cornuvia circumscissa_ of
Rostafinski's monograph.
2. OPHIOTHECA WRIGHTII, B. & C. Plasmodiocarp more or less elongated,
bent and flexuous, very commonly in small rings, from brownish-ochre to
brown or blackish in color, not polished; the wall a thin yellow
membrane, with a thin brown outer layer, irregularly dehiscent.
Capillitium of slender loosely-branched threads, 2-3 mic. in thickness,
furnished with numerous straight or bent long-pointed spinules. Spores
subglobose, yellow, minutely warted, 10-12 mic. in diameter. See Plate
I, Fig. 14.
Growing on the inside of bark of Acer, Carya, etc. Plasmodiocarp about
.5 mm. in thickness, variable in length, often in small rings 1-2 mm. in
diameter. The prickly threads are quite characteristic; the spinules are
3-5 mic. in length. _Hemiarcyria melanopeziza_, Speg., is evidently the
same thing.
3. OPHIOTHECA VERMICULARIS, Schw. Plasmodiocarp terete and more or less
elongated, bent and flexuous, sometimes annular or reticulate, the
surface not polished, brownish in color; the wall a thin yellow
membrane, covered on the outside by a more or less thickened brown layer
of scales and granules, irregularly dehiscent. Capillitium of slender
loosely branched threads, 2-3 mic. in thickness, the surface with minute
warts and ridges. Spores subglobose, yellow, 10-12 mic. in diameter.
Growing on the inside of old bark. Plasmodiocarp about .4 mm. in
thickness and various in length; in my specimens the sporangia are
mostly small rings. The species looks exactly like _Ophiotheca
Wrightii_, but the character of the threads is quite different.
4. OPHIOTHECA PALLIDA, B. & C. Plasmodiocarp terete, oblong or elongated
annular and flexuous, the surface dull, pale ochraceous; the wall a thin
pellucid membrane, minutely granulate, with a thin pale ochraceous outer
layer, irregularly dehiscent. Capillitium of slender loosely-branched
threads, 2-3 mic. in thickness, the surface minutely warted or
spinulose. Spores subglobose, pale yellow, 10-12 mic. in diameter.
Growing on dead stems of herbaceous plants. Plasmodiocarp .3-.4 mm. in
thickness, variable in length, sometimes short and roundish or oblong,
sometimes much elongated and flexuous. More delicate than _Ophiotheca
vermicularis_, and distinguished by its pallid color throughout.
ORDER IV. ARCYRIACEAE.
Sporangia regular and stipitate, rarely sessile; the wall a thin
membrane, minutely granulose, colored as the spores and capillitium, the
upper part soon torn away in a somewhat circumscissile manner, and early
disappearing. Capillitium of slender tubules, repeatedly branching and
anastomosing to form a complicated network of evident meshes, more or
less expanded after dehiscence; the surface of the threads minutely
warted or spinulose or with elevated ridges in the shape of rings, half
rings or reticulations.
This order is specially distinguished by the threads of the capillitium
forming a complicated network of evident meshes.
TABLE OF GENERA OF ARCYRIACEAE.
1. LACHNOBOLUS. Capillitium of slender tubules, quite variable in
thickness, proceeding from numerous points of the sporangial wall.
2. ARCYRIA. Capillitium of slender tubules, issuing from the interior of
the stipe, the network without any free extremities.
3. HETEROTRICHIA. Capillitium issuing from the interior of the stipe,
the peripheral portion of the network bearing numerous short acute free
branches.
I. LACHNOBOLUS, Fr. Sporangia stipitate or sessile, the wall a thin
delicate membrane, minutely granulose, rupturing irregularly. Stipe
short or sometimes wanting. Capillitium of slender tubules quite
variable in thickness, proceeding from numerous points of the sporangial
wall and forming a complicated network, the surface minutely warted or
spinulose. Spores globose, yellowish or flesh-color.
This genus differs from Arcyria in the capillitium springing from
numerous points of the sporangial wall.
1. LACHNOBOLUS GLOBOSUS, Schw. Sporangia globose, stipitate, pale
yellow, changing to clay-color; the wall thin and delicate, pellucid,
minutely granulose, the upper part torn away and soon disappearing, the
lower half more persistent. Stipe short, tapering upward, expanding at
the base into a small hypothallus. Capillitium arising from the lower
portion of the sporangium, forming a complicated network, the threads
3-5 mic. in thickness, the surface closely covered with minute warts.
Spores globose, pale yellow to clay-color in mass, 8-9 mic. in diameter.
See Plate I, Fig. 15.
Growing on the spines of Chestnut burs. Sporangia .5-.6 mm. in diameter,
the stipe shorter than the sporangium.
2. LACHNOBOLUS INCARNATUS, A. & S. Sporangia globose or ellipsoidal,
substipitate, closely crowded and seated on a common hypothallus; the
wall thin and delicate, pellucid, minutely granulose, dehiscing
irregularly. Stipe very short or often obsolete. Capillitium proceeding
from the inner surface of the sporangial wall, forming a complicated
network, the threads extremely variable in thickness, minutely warted
and spinulose. Spores globose, flesh-color in the mass, 8-9 mic. in
diameter.
Growing on old wood. Sporangia .5-.8 mm. in height, sessile on a narrow
base or with a very short stipe; the threads of the capillitium are
generally 3-5 mic. in thickness, but there are broader expansions at the
nodes and elsewhere. My specimens are from Prof. McBride, of Iowa. The
species is extremely variable, and these specimens differ much from
those described elsewhere.
II. ARCYRIA, Hill. Sporangia regular ovoid to cylindric, stipitate; the
wall a thin delicate membrane, circumscissile or torn away near the
base, the upper portion evanescent, the lower part persistent, small and
cup-shaped. Stipe more or less elongated, the interior containing
roundish vesicles which become smaller upward, and gradually pass into
the normal spores. Capillitium of slender tubules, issuing from the
interior of the stipe, forming a complicated network, without any free
extremities, the surface minutely warted or spinulose or with annular
ridges. Spores globose, red, brown, yellow, cinereous.
Sec.1. CLATHROIDES, Mich. Capillitium closely attached by a few threads
which issue from the interior of the stipe, and are free from the
calyculus (except in _A. punicea_), much elongated after dehiscence,
weak and drooping or prostrate; the meshes open and irregular, not
differing externally and internally, their threads similar throughout,
the warts or ridges of the surface exhibiting a spiral arrangement.