anastomosing, to form a dense network of small meshes, with innumerable
short, free extremities.
1. COMATRICHA TYPHINA, Roth. Sporangia short, erect or a little curved,
cylindric or usually narrowing slightly upward, the base quite blunt,
the apex more rounded, growing together on a thin hypothallus. Stipe and
columella brown or blackish, tapering upward and vanishing near the apex
of the sporangium, the stipe much shorter than the columella.
Capillitium of slender flexuous tawny-brown threads; these branch
repeatedly, forming an intricate network of small irregular meshes,
ending in very short free extremities. Spores globose, violaceous, very
minutely warted, 6-8 mic. in diameter.
Growing on old wood, mosses, etc. Sporangium with the stipe 2-4 mm. in
height, the stipe much the shorter, the sporangium .35-.40 mm. in
thickness. _Stemonitis typhoides_, Fries, S. M.
2. COMATRICHA AEQUALIS, Pk. Sporangia usually more or less inclined or
curved and nodding, cylindric, obtuse at each end, growing together on a
thin hypothallus. Stipe and columella slender, smooth, black, extending
nearly or quite to the apex of the sporangium, the stipe longer than the
columella. Capillitium of very slender flexuous tawny-brown threads;
these branch repeatedly, forming an intricate network of small irregular
meshes, ending in very short free extremities. Spores globose, minutely
warted, dark violaceous, 7-9 mic. in diameter.
Growing on old wood. Sporangium 1.5-3 mm. in height by .35-.40 mm. in
thickness, the stipe usually about the same length as the sporangium,
but sometimes nearly twice as long. The capillitium is rather looser
than in _C. typhina_, whence the drooping habit. Peck, Thirty-first
Report, p. 42.
3. COMATRICHA NIGRA, Pers. Sporangia globose or ovoid to ellipsoid or
oblong, erect or sometimes inclined or even nodding. The stipe very
long, smooth and black, tapering upward, expanding at the base into a
small circular hypothallus; the columella short, reaching from one-half
to three-fourths the height of the sporangium. Capillitium of slender
flexuous brown threads, which branch repeatedly, forming a dense
intricate network of small meshes, ending in very short free
extremities. Spores globose, even, dark violaceous, 8-10 mic. in
diameter.
Growing on old wood, leaves, etc. Sporangium .5-1.5 mm. in height, .5-.8
mm. in diameter, the stipe 1.5-3 mm. long or sometimes considerably
longer. This species seems to be rare in this country. I have preferred
the name adopted by Schroeter to Rostafinski's _Comatricha Friesiana_.
4. COMATRICHA ELLISII, Morgan, n. sp. Sporangia short, erect, oval or
ovoid to oblong. Stipe and columella erect, brown and smooth, rising
from a thin pallid hypothallus, tapering upward and vanishing into the
capillitium toward the apex of the sporangium, the stipe usually longer
than the columella. Capillitium of slender pale brown threads; these
branch several times with lateral anastomosing branchlets, forming a
rather open network of small meshes, ending with very short free
extremities. Spores globose, even, pale ochraceous, 6-7 mic. in
diameter. See Plate XI, Fig. 29.
Growing on old pine wood. Sporangium .3-.6 mm. in height by .3-.5 mm. in
width, the stipe usually a little longer than the sporangium. This
elegant little species I have from Mr. J. B. Ellis, of Newfield, N. J.
It is said to be mingled in some of the specimens with _Lamproderma
Ellisiana_, Cke.
Sec.2. LARVELLA. Threads of the capillitium branching a few times and
anastomosing to form a network of large meshes, attaining the wall by
numerous long, free extremities.
5. COMATRICHA CRYPTA, Schw. Sporangia cylindric, bent or flexuous and
more or less inclined, growing close together on a conspicuous
purplish-brown hypothallus. Stipe and columella smooth and black,
tapering upward and reaching the apex of the sporangium, the columella
bent and flexuous or spirally twisted, about as long as the stipe.
Capillitium composed of irregular, bent and uneven threads, which are
brown below, becoming colorless outwardly; the threads branch a few
times, forming a network of large irregular meshes, sometimes much
defective; the free extremities irregular and unequal, simple or
branched. Spores globose, brown, minutely warted, 7-9 mic. in diameter.
See Plate XI, Fig. 30.
Growing out of fissures of the bark and wood of Hickory, Acer, etc.
Sporangium with the stipe 4-7 mm. in height, the stipe a little shorter,
or sometimes much longer than the sporangium, the latter .25-.30 mm. in
thickness. The exterior colorless portion of the capillitium is
exceedingly delicate, easily breaking away and leaving the capillitium
quite irregular and defective. _Stemonitis crypta_, Schweinitz's N. A.
Fungi, 2351. _Comatricha irregularis_, Rex, is the same thing.
6. COMATRICHA CAESPITOSA, Sturgis. Sporangia short, clavate, densely
crowded or caespitose upon a delicate hypothallus; the wall
subpersistent, silvery, shining with tints of purple and blue. Stipe
very short or nearly obsolete, the columella rising to two-thirds or
three-fourths the height of the sporangium. Capillitium of slender
dark-brown threads, which branch and anastomose quite irregularly,
forming a network of intermingled large and small meshes, ending in
long, tapering, free extremities. Spores globose, minutely spinulose,
dark violaceous, 10-12 mic. in diameter.
Growing on moss and lichens, at Wood's Holl, Massachusetts. Sporangium
1-1.5 mm. in height, the stipe very short or sometimes apparently
wanting. I am indebted to Dr. W. C. Sturgis, of New Haven, Conn., for a
specimen of this unique species.
7. COMATRICHA LONGA, Peck. Sporangia very slender and much elongated,
tapering gradually upward, weak and prostrate or pendulous, growing
close together on a well-developed purplish-black hypothallus. Stipe and
columella capillary, smooth and black, reaching to the apex of the
sporangium or often vanishing in the network far below it, the stipe
very short, the columella long and flexible. Capillitium of long,
slender, dark-brown threads; these are reticulately connected near the
base, forming a network of large irregular meshes in a series along the
columella; outwardly they are terminated by very long free branchlets,
which vary from simple to two or three times forked or branched. Spores
globose, minutely warted, dark brown, 8-10 mic. in diameter. See Plate
XI, Fig. 31.
Growing on old wood and bark of Elm, Willow, etc., in Autumn. Sporangium
with the stipe 15-40 mm. in length, the stipe 3-8 mm. long, the
sporangium .25-.40 mm. in thickness. This is the most characteristic
species of the genus, being farthest removed from Stemonitis.
8. COMATRICHA FLACCIDA, Lister. Sporangia growing closely crowded
together and more or less confluent, on a purplish-brown hypothallus,
the walls fugacious. Columellas rising simply from the common
hypothallus, or sometimes grown together below and then apparently
branching, running through to the apex, and there often confluent with
each other, or joined together by portions of membrane. Capillitium of
slender brown threads, which branch and anastomose very irregularly,
forming a ragged network with large irregular meshes, and long free
extremities; the capillitium of adjoining columellas being much
entangled, and often confluent or grown together. Spores globose, very
minutely warted, brown, 7-9 mic. in diameter.
Growing on old wood and bark of Oak, Willow, etc. The component
sporangia 5-10 mm. in length. The early appearance is much like that of
species of Stemonitis, but the mature stage is a great mass of spores
with scanty capillitium, as in Reticularia; the columellas, however, are
genuine and not adjacent portions of wall grown together. Arthur Lister
calls this _Stemonitis splendens_, var. _flaccida_.
IV. STEMONITIS, Gled. Sporangia subcylindric, elongated, stipitate,
standing close together on a well-developed common hypothallus, the wall
very thin and evanescent. Stipe brown or black, smooth and shining,
tapering upward, entering the sporangium and prolonged nearly to the
apex as a slender columella, the stipe shorter than the columella.
Capillitium arising from numerous points of the columella throughout its
entire length; the threads immediately branch and anastomose to form an
interior network of large meshes, they then spread out next the wall of
the sporangium into a superficial network of smaller meshes. Spores
globose, brown or violaceous.
In this genus there are two distinctly differentiated series in the
capillitium, the one an interior supporting network of large meshes, the
other a superficial network of smaller meshes; sometimes the superficial
network disappears or is wanting toward the upper part of the
capillitium, there is then an approach to Comatricha. Very minute
scattered branchlets usually connect the superficial network with the
wall of the sporangium.
Sec.1. DICTYNNA. Threads of the capillitium arising from numerous points of
the columella, immediately branching several times and anastomosing to
form the interior network of large meshes; the superficial network
consisting of small irregular and unequal meshes, varying from smaller
than the spores to two or three times their diameter.
1. STEMONITIS FUSCA, Roth. Sporangia elongated, subcylindric, tapering
and obtuse at the apex, tapering gradually downward, growing closely
crowded together on a strongly-developed brown hypothallus. Stipe and
columella smooth and black, tapering gradually upward and disappearing
near the apex of the sporangium, the stipe shorter than the columella.
Capillitium of slender brown or blackish threads, which immediately
branch and anastomose, forming a dense interior network of large
irregular meshes, the ultimate branchlets of which support a superficial
network of small polygonal meshes. Spores globose, dark violaceous, the
surface minutely warted, the warts with a reticulate arrangement, 7-9
mic. in diameter.
Growing on old wood, bark, leaves, etc.; common everywhere. Sporangium
with the stipe 6-15 mm. in height, the sporangium .3-.4 mm. in
thickness, the stipe variable in length, but always shorter than the
sporangium. The meshes of the superficial net vary in size in the same
sporangium, being usually 5-25 mic. in width, but sometimes they are
larger, ranging from 10-40 mic. in extent. The name _Stemonitis maxima_
was given by Schweinitz to some unusually large specimens which grew on
a Polyporus. _Stemonitis dictyospora_ of Rostafinski's monograph, with
spores 12 mic. in diameter, is said to occur in South Carolina; I have
seen no specimens.
2. STEMONITIS TENERRIMA, B. & C. Sporangia small, subcylindric, tapering
and obtuse at the apex, tapering gradually downward, growing close
together on a thin brown hypothallus. Stipe and columella black and
smooth, tapering gradually upward and vanishing toward the apex of the
sporangium, the stipe shorter than the columella. Capillitium of very
slender pale violet threads, which branch and anastomose to form a dense
interior network of large irregular meshes, and then spread out into a
superficial network of small polygonal meshes. Spores globose, even,
pale brownish-violet, 6-8 mic. in diameter. See Plate XI, Fig. 32.
Growing on old wood, mosses, etc. Sporangium with the stipe 5-9 mm. in
height, the sporangium .2-.3 mm. in thickness, the stipe variable in
length, but always shorter than the sporangium. The meshes of the
superficial network varying usually from 3-15 mic. in width, but
sometimes larger from 8-25 mic. The species grows scantily in this
region, but I have elegant specimens from Alabama, sent me by Prof. Geo.
F. Atkinson.
3. STEMONITIS MICROSPORA, Lister. Plasmodium white. Sporangia elongated,
subcylindric, tapering and obtuse at the apex, tapering gradually
downward, growing closely crowded together on a strongly-developed brown
hypothallus. Stipe and columella brown and smooth, tapering gradually
upward and reaching nearly to the apex of the sporangium, the stipe
shorter than the columella. Capillitium of slender tawny-brown threads;
the primary branches simple or only branched above, or with a few
lateral anastomosing branchlets, forming a rather loose network of large
irregular meshes; these support a superficial network of very small
polygonal meshes. Spores globose, even, tawny-brown, 5-6 mic. in
diameter.
Growing on old wood, bark, leaves, etc.; very common in this region.
Sporangium with the stipe 7-15 mm. in height, the sporangium .3-.4 mm.
in thickness, the stipe shorter than the sporangium. Meshes of the
superficial network 4-20 mic. in width. I am indebted to Arthur Lister,
Esq., of London, for pointing out to me the difference between this
species and the _Stemonitis ferruginea_ of Fries and Rostafinski.
4. STEMONITIS FERRUGINEA, Ehr. Plasmodium lemon-yellow. Sporangia
subcylindric, the apex obtuse, growing closely crowded together on a
thin, brown hypothallus. Stipe and columella brown and smooth, tapering
gradually upward and vanishing beneath the apex of the sporangium, the
stipe much shorter than the columella. Capillitium of slender,
tawny-brown threads, which immediately branch and anastomose, forming a
dense interior network of large irregular meshes, supporting a
superficial network of small polygonal meshes. Spores globose, very
minutely warted, tawny-brown in color, 7-9 mic. in diameter.
Growing on old wood, leaves, grasses, etc. Sporangium with the stipe
4-10 mm. in height, the sporangium .3-.4 mm. in thickness, the stipe
much shorter than the sporangium. The meshes of the superficial network
varying from 6-30 mic. or sometimes from 10-40 mic. in width, according
to the specimen. The species is certainly rare in this country, and my
description is drawn up from British specimens. But I am unable to
distinguish authentic specimens of _Stemonitis herbatica_, Peck, from
these British specimens.
Sec.2. MEGALODICTYS. Threads of the capillitium arising from rather distant
points of the columella, branching and anastomosing but a few times,
thus forming an interior network of very large meshes; the superficial
network consisting of large irregular meshes, varying from three or four
to many times the diameter of the spores.
5. STEMONITIS WEBBERI, Rex. Sporangia subcylindric, the apex obtuse,
tapering gradually downward, growing close together on a common
hypothallus. Stipe and columella black and smooth, the stipe very short,
the columella extending nearly or quite to the apex of the sporangium,
the upper part usually flexuous. Capillitium composed of slender,
flexuous brown threads; these immediately branch and anastomose several
times, forming an interior network of very large meshes; the superficial
network consisting of large irregular meshes, sometimes much elongated.
Spores globose, very minutely warted, brown, 7-9 mic. in diameter. See
Plate XI, Fig. 34.
Growing on old wood, bark, etc. Sporangium with the stipe 5-10 mm. in
height, the stipe 1-2 mm. in length, the sporangium .3-.4 mm. in
thickness; meshes of the superficial net of the capillitium 40-100-150
mic. in extent. This is a much smaller species than _Stemonitis
splendens_, and the structure of the interior network of the capillitium
is entirely different.
6. STEMONITIS SPLENDENS, Rost. Sporangia linear-cylindric, obtuse at the
apex, growing close together on a conspicuous hypothallus. Stipe and
columella black and shining, the stipe very short, the columella
reaching nearly or quite to the apex of the sporangium, often flexuous
above. Capillitium composed of brown threads, variable in thickness,
often with membranaceous expansions; the primary branches some of them
simple or only branched above, others with a few anastomosing
branchlets, forming an interior network of extremely large meshes; the
superficial network consisting of large, irregular, roundish or
polygonal meshes. Spores globose, very minutely warted, brown, 7-9 mic.
in diameter. See Plate XI, Fig. 33.
Growing on old wood. Sporangium with the stipe 15-25 mm. in height, the
stipe 4-6 mm. in length, the sporangium about .4 mm. in thickness; the
meshes of the superficial network of the capillitium 25-50-80 mic. or
sometimes as much as 100 mic. in extent. This is _Stemonitis Morgani_,
Peck.
V. ENERTHENEMA, Bowm. Sporangium regular, globose, stipitate; the wall
thin and fragile, fugacious. Stipe stout, thick, tapering upward,
entering the sporangium and prolonged to its apex, there expanding into
a discoid membrane. Capillitium originating from the lower surface of
the apical disk of the columella; the threads branched a few times and
hanging downward, their extremities free. Spores globose, violaceous.
A well-marked genus, by reason of the peculiar origin of the
capillitium.
1. ENERTHENEMA PAPILLATUM, Pers. Sporangium globose, stipitate; the wall
brown or blackish, soon disappearing. Stipe black, rugulose, thick
below, tapering above into the slender columella, which, at its apex,
expands into a thin membranaceous disk. Capillitium of long brown
threads suspended from the apical disk, the threads branched a few
times, occasionally anastomosing by a short, transverse branchlet, the
free ends often forked. Spores globose, very minutely warted,
violaceous, 10-12 mic. in diameter. See Plate XI, Fig. 35.
Growing on old wood. Stipe and columella .8-1.2 mm. in height. The
species seems to be rare in this country, as I have met with it but once
myself, and have received only a few specimens from elsewhere.
VI. DIACHAEA, Fr. Sporangia globose to oblong, stipitate, arising from a
common hypothallus; the wall thin, rugulose, iridescent with metallic
tints, breaking up irregularly and gradually falling away. Stipe and
columella thick, erect, rigid, tapering upward, filled with minute,
roundish granules of lime, white or yellowish in color. Capillitium
arising from numerous points of the columella, the threads repeatedly
branching and anastomosing to form an intricate network, attaining the
wall by numerous short free extremities. Spores globose, violaceous.
This genus is scarcely to be distinguished from Lamproderma, except by
the white mass of lime which fills the tube of the stipe and columella.
1. DIACHAEA LEUCOPODA, Bull. Sporangia ovoid-oblong to short cylindric,
the base obtuse or slightly umbilicate, the apex more rounded; the wall
with bronze, blue, purple, and violet tints, gradually falling away.
Stipe short, thick, white, arising from a white, venulose, hypothallus,
tapering upward; the columella cylindric or slightly tapering, obtuse,
terminating below the apex of the sporangium. Capillitium of slender,
flexuous brown threads forming a dense network of rather small meshes.
Spores globose, very minutely warted, violaceous, 7-9 mic. in diameter.
Growing on old leaves, sticks, etc., and sometimes running over living
plants. Sporangium with the stipe 1-2 mm. in height, the stipe usually
much shorter than the sporangium, the latter .4-.5 mm. in thickness.
_Diachaea elegans_, Fr.
2. DIACHAEA SPLENDENS, Peck. Sporangia globose, sometimes a little
depressed, with the base umbilicate; the wall steel-blue with tints of
purple and violet, quite persistent, rupturing irregularly. Stipe short,
thick, white, arising from a white, reticulate hypothallus, tapering
upward; the columella oblong or short cylindric, extending beyond the
center of the sporangium. Capillitium of slender, brown threads, which
branch several times and form a loose network of rather large meshes.
Spores subglobose, with very large warts, dark violet, 8-10 mic. in
diameter.
Growing on old leaves and twigs. Sporangium .4-.6 mm. in diameter, the
stipe about the same length. This is a beautiful species.
3. DIACHAEA THOMASII, Rex. Sporangia globose, or sometimes a little
depressed; the wall gold-bronze, with tints of purple and blue,
subpersistent, rupturing irregularly. Stipe thick, dull ochre-yellow in
color, variable in length, usually very short and sometimes quite
obsolete, arising from an ochre-yellow hypothallus; the columella
varying from bluntly-conical to cylindric-clavate, attaining the center
of the sporangium. Capillitium of slender, brown threads, radiating from
all points of the columella, branching several times and forming a loose
network of elongated meshes. Spores globose, minutely warted,
violaceous, 11-12 mic. in diameter. See Plate XI, Fig. 36.
Growing on sticks, leaves, etc. Sporangium .5-.7 mm. in diameter, the
stipe usually shorter or sometimes wanting. This species has been found
only in the mountains of North Carolina. I am indebted to Dr. George A.
Rex for my example. In its structure the species is essentially a
Lamproderma, but the stipe and columella are stuffed with granules of
lime.
EXPLANATION OF PLATE XI.
Fig. 25.--Sectional view of the capillitium and stipe of Clastoderma De
Baryanum, Blytt.
Fig. 26.--Section through the capillitium, columella and stipe of
Lamproderma arcyrionema, Rost.
Fig. 27.--Perpendicular section through Lamproderma violaceum, Fr.
Fig. 28.--Perpendicular section through Lamproderma scintillans, Berk.
Fig. 29.--Section through the capillitium, columella and stipe of
Comatricha Ellisii, Morgan.
Fig. 30.--Sectional view through the capillitium and columella of a
portion of Comatricha crypta, Schw.
Fig. 31.--Sectional view through the columella and capillitium of a
portion of Comatricha longa, Peck.
Fig. 32.--A portion of the capillitium of Stemonitis tenerrima, B. &
C.--A sectional view through the columella above and below a view of the
superficial network.
Fig. 33.--A portion of the capillitium of Stemonitis splendens, Rost.--A
sectional view through the columella above and below a view of the
superficial network.
Fig. 34.--The capillitium of a very short sporangium of Stemonitis
Webberi, Rex; the breadth, however, somewhat exaggerated.
Fig. 35.--Showing the stipe, columella, apical disk and pendent
capillitium of Enerthenema papillatum, Pers.
Fig. 36.--Perpendicular section through the capillitium, columella, and
stipe of Diachaea Thomasii, Rex.
NOTE.--The figures of the objects are drawn as they appear under a
magnifying power of about 100 diameters.
[Illustration: The Journal of the Cin. Soc. Natural History.
VOL. XVI. PLATE XI.]
ORDER VII.--DIDYMIACEAE.
Sporangia simple and subglobose, or plasmodiocarp, rarely combined into
an aethalium. Wall of the sporangium a thin membrane with an outer layer
composed of minute stellate crystals, or of minute roundish granules of
lime; these either lie singly upon the surface, or are compacted into a
crustaceous coat. Stipe present or often wanting; the columella usually
conspicuous and well-developed. Capillitium consisting of very slender,
often sinuous threads, which extend from the base of the sporangium or
from the columella to the walls, either simple or outwardly branching a
few times at a sharp angle, combined into a loose irregular net by a few
transverse branchlets, which are situated chiefly at the extremities.
Spores globose, violaceous.
This order is readily distinguished from the Physaraceae by the absence
of lime from the threads of the capillitium.
TABLE OF GENERA OF DIDYMIACEAE.
_a. The lime on the wall of the sporangium in the form of minute
stellate crystals._
1. DIDYMIUM. Sporangium simple, subglobose and stipitate, the base
commonly umbilicate, or sometimes sessile and plasmodiocarp.
2. SPUMARIA. AEthalium composed of numerous elongated
irregularly-branched sporangia, closely compacted together and
confluent.
_b. The lime on the wall of the sporangium consisting of minute roundish
granules._