THE NORTH AMERICAN SLIME-MOULDS (continued 5)

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 µ.

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 costæ 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 µ.

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 µ.

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 costæ 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 µ, 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 µ, 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 µ.

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 µ, 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 µ.

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 costæ 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 costæ 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 µ, 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 æthalioid; 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, Römer, 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, för Ar. 1769, p. 254.

Key to the Species of Lycogala

A. Æthalia irregularly globose.

a. Cortex minutely roughened or warted; about 12 mm. in diameter1. L. epidendrum

b. Cortex smooth, size large2. L. flavo‑fuscum

c. Cortex rough; diameter 6 mm. or less3. L. exiguum

B. Æthalia conical4. 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.

Æthalia 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 µ.

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 æthalium, 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.

Æthalia 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 µ.

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 æthalium 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 µ. 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.

Æthalia 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 µ.

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.

Æthalia 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 µ.

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 roughenedDianemaceae

B. Capillitium plain, papillose, or spinulose, often scanty, not netted, the threads sometimes attached by one end to the sporangium wallPerichaenaceae

C. Capillitium a distinct net, usually attached below to the sporangial wall; sculpture various, not continuous spiral bandsArcyriaceae

D. Capillitial threads transverse, fascicled, attached at both ends, but sculptured by well defined spiral bandsPrototrichiaceae

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 ringsTrichiaceae

A. DIANEMACEÆ

Key to the Genera of the Dianemaceæ

A. Capillitial threads attached at one end, or free1. Margarita

B. Capillitial threads attached at each end2. 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 µ.

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, iridescent1. D. harveyi

B. Fructification more or less plasmodiocarpous, dull brown2. D. corticatum

C. Sporangia, some of them stipitate3. 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 µ.

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 µ.

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 µ, 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. PERICHÆNACEÆ

Key to the Genera of the Perichænaceæ

A. Sporangia more or less plasmodiocarpous in type, terete; dehiscence irregular1. Ophiotheca

B. Sporangia more or less polygonal in outline, or round, depressed; dehiscence circumscissile2. Perichæna

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, slender1. O. vermicularis

B. Plasmodiocarp on rotting bark, logs, etc,

a. Pale brownish or yellowish2. O. chrysosperma

b. Chestnut brown or blackish3. 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 µ.

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 µ.

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 µ.

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. Perichæna 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 Perichæna

A. Sporangia plainly flattened.

a. Very flat, sporangia 1mm. or more in width1. P. depressa

b. Depressed; sporangia smaller2. P. quadrata

B. Sporangia more or less spherical

a. Chestnut brown3. P. corticalis

b. Gray or canescent4. 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 µ.

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 ½ 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 µ.

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 µ. 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 µ.

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. ARCYRIACEÆ

Key to the Genera of the Arcyriaceæ

A. Peridium becoming fragmentary, but persisting; capillitium non-elastic1. Lachnobolus

B. Peridium evanescent above, persistent below; capillitium elastic2. Arcyria

C. Capillitium elastic, bearing hamate branches3. 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 Castanea1. L. globosus

B. Sporangia rosy or copper-colored, at length ochraceous2. 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 µ.

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 µ 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 µ.

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 more1. A. magna

OO Shorter, about 6 mm.2. A. oerstedtii

ii. Yellow3. A. nutans

b. Mature capillitium short, not drooping, though sometimes procumbent.

i. Capillitium greenish yellow4. 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 nodes6. A. nodulosa

OOO Capillitium marked by close reticulations7. A. ferruginea

B. Capillitium persistently attached to the calyculus.

a. Sporangia reddish brown, etc.8. A. denudata

b. Sporangia gray or ashen

i. Simple9. A. cinerea

ii. Clustered10. A. digitata

c. Sporangia yellow11. 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 papillæ, 7–8 µ.

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 µ.

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., Römer 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 µ 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 µ.

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 µ 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 µ.

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 µ.

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 µ 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 µ.

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 µ, below 3 µ, 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 µ.

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., Röm. 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 µ 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 µ.

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 Linné 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 Linné 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 µ.

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 µ

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 µ, toward the periphery more narrow, 2.5 µ 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 µ.

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 µ.

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 µ, marked with half-rings or ridges, those on the periphery very different, yellow, broad, 5–6 µ, 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 µ.

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. PROTOTRICHIACÆ

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. TRICHIACEÆ

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 Trichiaceæ

A. Capillitium threads long, generally united to form a loose net, centrally attached.

a. Sculpture spiral1.Key to the Genera of the TrichiaceæHemitrichia

b. Sculpture reticulate2. Calonema

B. Capillitial threads shorter, entirely free, though sometimes branched.

a. Threads, elaters, marked by spiral bands3. Trichia

b. Sculpture irregular or wanting4. 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, yellow1. H. serpula

b. Imperfectly plasmodiocarpous, brown2. H. karstenii

B. Sporangia all distinct.

a. Sessile; very short stalked

i. Peridium hyaline, iridescent3. H. ovata

ii. Peridium opaque10. H. montana

b. Stipitate, generally distinctly so; sometimes nearly sessile.

i. Yellow or ochraceous.

O Stalk hollow.

+ Small, ½ mm., iridescent6. H. leiocarpa

++ Larger, 1 mm., smooth but not iridescent

1. Free ends more or less abundant8. H. clavata

2. Free ends none9. H. stipitata

OO Stalk solid7. H. intorta

ii. Not yellow.

O Ruby red4. H. vesparium

OO Copper-colored5. 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., Röm. 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 striæ; spore-mass golden yellow, spores beneath the lens pale yellow, globose, delicately reticulate, about 10 µ.

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 µ in diameter; spores yellow, delicately warted, 10–10.5 µ.

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 µ, 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 µ.

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., Röm. 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 µ.

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 µ.

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 µ.

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 µ. 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 µ in diameter, with spirals four, sparingly spinulose, even and regular, the longitudinal striæ conspicuous; spores in mass concolorous, under the lens yellow, delicately warted, globose, 9–10 µ.

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., Röm. 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 µ.

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 reënforced 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 µ 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 µ.

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 µ 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 µ.

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 µ.

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 reënforced 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, regular1. T. inconspicua

+ Spirals irregular2. T. contorta

++ Elaters rough, spinescent3. T. iowensis

ii. Peridium olivaceous or yellow.

O Elaters smooth4. T. varia

b. Hypothallus distinct; sporangia crowded; spores reticulate, banded, or netted.

i. Spore-bands pitted6. T. persimilis

ii. Spore-bands, narrow, plain7. T. favoginea

iii. Spores covered by a delicate net5. T. scabra

B. Sporangia stipitate.

a. Hypothallus distinct8. T. verrucosa

b. Hypothallus none; peridium checkered with pale reticulations.

i. Brownish red or black10. T. botrytis

ii. Olivaceous.

O Elaters smooth11. T. subfusca

OO Elaters rough12. T. erecta

c. Peridium plain, shining13. T. decipiens

d. Peridium plain, dull black14. 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 µ 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 µ.

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 µ.

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., Ia., 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 µ, recurved, often bifid or trifid, especially at or near the acuminate tip; spores delicately warted, 9–11 µ.

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., Röm. 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 µ, 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 µ, 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 µ 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 µ.

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. Förh. 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 µ 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 µ. 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 striæ. 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., Röm. 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 µ; 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 µ. 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 µ.

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 µ, 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 µ.

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., Röm. 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 µ 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 µ.

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.