Sporangia globose or ovoid to oblong and cylindrical, stipitate; the wall very thin and fragile, soon disappearing. Stipe tapering upward and continued within the sporangium as a more or less elongated columella. Capillitium of slender brown threads, arising from numerous points of the columella, repeatedly branching and usually anastomosing to form a network, persistent and rigidly preserving the outline of the sporangium. Spores globose, brown or violaceous.

This order is readily distinguished by the brown persistent capillitium, arising from a lengthened columella, and rigidly maintaining the form of the sporangium.

Table of Genera of StemonitaceÆ.

A. Stipe and columella brown or black.

a. The columella scarcely reaching the center of the sporangium.

• 1. Clastoderma. Threads of the capillitium forking several times, but not combined into a network.
• 2. Lamproderma. Threads of the capillitium branching and anastomosing to form a network.

b. The columella extending beyond the center of the sporangium.

• 3. Comatricha. Threads of the capillitium forming only an interior network, attaining the wall by numerous more or less elongated free extremities.
• 4. Stemonitis. Threads of the capillitium forming an interior network of large meshes and a superficial network of smaller meshes.
• 5. Enerthenema. Threads of the capillitium pendent from a discoid membrane at the apex of the columella.

B. Stipe and columella white or yellowish.

• 6. Diachaea. Threads of the capillitium branching and anastomosing to form a network.

I. CLASTODERMA, Blytt. Sporangium regular, globose, stipitate; the wall very thin and fragile. Stipe elongated, tapering upward, entering the sporangium as a very short or nearly obsolete columella. Capillitium arising by a few branches from the apex of the columella, these branches forking several times at a sharp angle, but not combined into a network, the ultimate branchlets long and free, or only connected together at their tips by persistent fragments of the sporangial wall. Spores globose, violaceous.

The claim of this genus to be distinguished from Lamproderma must rest upon the fact that the branchlets of the capillitium do not anastomose and form a network. It is the same as the genus Orthotricha of Wingate.

1. Clastoderma De Baryanum, Blytt. Sporangium very small, globose; the wall early disappearing, except the minute fragments which persist at the extremities of the capillitium, and a narrow collar at the base of the columella. Stipe very long, thick and brown below, tapering upward to a pellucid oblong swelling, thence abruptly narrowed to the apex; the columella extremely short, capillitium of very slender pale-brown semi-pellucid threads, divergently forking, the ultimate branchlets often joined 2–4 together at their tips by fragments of the sporangial wall. Spores globose, even, violaceous, 8–9 mic. in diameter. See Plate XI, Fig. 25.

Growing in rather a scattered way on old rotten wood. Sporangium .20-.25 mm. in diameter, the stipe .7–1.3 mm. long. Orthotricha microcephala, Wingate. Blytt's species was found in Norway, Wingate's in Pennsylvania; I have met with it several times in this locality. It is possibly more common than it appears, as by reason of the difficulty of seeing the minute sporangium it is passed by as some mold. Blytt's spore measurements are 9.5–11 mic.; in some specimens I have seen a few spores of this size, but they are abnormal.

II. LAMPRODERMA, Rost. Sporangia regular, globose, stipitate; the wall thin and fragile, rugulose, shining with metallic tints, breaking up irregularly and gradually falling away. Stipe more or less elongated, smooth, brown or black in color, arising from a hypothallus, tapering upward and entering the sporangium as a short columella scarcely reaching the center. Capillitium of numerous threads radiating from the columella, usually forking several times and combined into a net by lateral anastomosing branchlets. Spores globose, brown or violaceous.

Lamproderma is distinguished by the shining metallic tints of the sporangial wall, and by the short columella scarcely reaching half the height of the sporangium.

1. Lamproderma physaroides, A. & S. Sporangium globose; the wall with a silvery metallic luster, at length breaking up and falling away. Stipe long, slender, brown or blackish, arising from a small circular hypothallus; columella clavate, obtuse, not reaching the center of the sporangium. Capillitium of brownish-violet threads, arising from the upper part of the columella; these branch repeatedly at a sharp angle, form an intricate network of elongated meshes, terminating at the wall in numerous short free branchlets. Spores globose, minutely warted, bright brown, 12–14 mic. in diameter.

Growing on old wood, moss, etc., New York, Chas. H. Peck. Distinguished by the pale silvery sporangial wall and the clear brown spores.

2. Lamproderma arcyrionema, Rost. Sporangium small, globose; the wall dark bronze, with a silvery sheen when loosened from the spores, soon breaking into scales and falling away. Stipe long and slender, smooth, shining and black, rising from a thin hypothallus; the columella short cylindric, variable in length, but not attaining the center of the sporangium. Capillitium arising by division of the apex of the columella into several primary branches; these immediately separate into numerous slender flexuous brown threads, which unite and form a dense network of small arcuate meshes, the ultimate branchlets not free. Spores globose, even, violaceous, 6–7 mic. in diameter. See plate XI, Fig. 26.

Growing on old wood of Juglans and Carya. Sporangium .3-.5 mm. in diameter, the stipe three or four times as long. The columella is somewhat variable, it sometimes forks or divides immediately on entering the sporangium, at other times it is longer and cylindric, with more slender primary branches. The meshes of the capillitium resemble those of Arcyria, whence the name. This is the Stemonitis physaroides, A. & S. var. suboeneus of Lea's Catalogue.

3. Lamproderma violaceum, Fr. Sporangium depressed-globose, convex above and more or less flattened and umbilicate beneath; the wall shining with steel or violet, blue and purple tints, deciduous. Stipe short, stout, brown or blackish in color, arising from a thin, brown, common hypothallus; columella cylindric, or tapering slightly to an obtuse apex, attaining the center of the sporangium. Capillitium of numerous slender threads, radiating from the upper part of the columella; these threads are brown below, with a variable outer portion colorless; they branch a few times and form an interior network of elongated meshes, outwardly arching and freely anastomosing they give rise to an external network of small irregular meshes, they then attain the wall by innumerable short, simple, or forked free branchlets. Spores globose, minutely spinulose, violaceous, 9–11 mic. in diameter. See plate XI, Fig 27.

Growing on old wood, mosses, etc., late in Autumn. Sporangium .5-.8 mm. in diameter, the stipe about the same length. The capillitium is sometimes most of it colorless and flaccid; sometimes it is all brown and rigid except the minute free extremities.

4. Lamproderma arcyrioides, Somm. Sporangium globose or ellipsoid, and somewhat elongated; the wall with tints of violet, purple, and blue, deciduous. Stipe usually short, or sometimes nearly obsolete, brown or blackish in color, arising from a strongly-developed hypothallus; the columella cylindric or slightly tapering upward, and obtuse, reaching nearly to the center of the sporangium. Capillitium of numerous pale-brown threads, radiating from the apex of the columella; these fork directly from the base, are bent and flexuous, and are combined into a dense, intricate net, with abundant free extremities. Spores globose, spinulose, violaceous, 13–16 mic. in diameter.

Growing on old leaves, wood, etc. Sporangium .5-.8 mm. in diameter, the stipe variable in length from very short to 1 mm. long or beyond. Lamproderma columbinum, Pers. is a doubtful species, the forms of that name being easily distributed between the present species and L. physaroides.

5. Lamproderma scintillans, B. & Br. Sporangium globose; the wall shining with colors of blue, purple, and bronze, deciduous. Stipe long, slender, smooth, and shining, brown or blackish, rising from a thin, brown, common hypothallus; columella cylindric or slightly tapering to the obtuse apex, not reaching the center of the sporangium. Capillitium of numerous brown threads, originating about the apex of the columella; these fork several times, with few anastomosing branchlets, and terminate at the wall in long, free extremities. Spores globose, minutely warted, violaceous, 7–9 mic. in diameter. See Plate XI, Fig. 28.

Growing on old leaves, moss, etc., in early Spring. Sporangium .3-.5 mm. in diameter, the stipe from once to twice as long. This is Lamproderma irideum of Massee's Monograph. I am indebted to Arthur Lister, Esq., of London, for the identification of my specimens with Stemonitis scintillans, B. & Br., and with Lamproderma irideum, Cke.

III. COMATRICHA, Preuss. Sporangia various in shape, from globose or ovoid to oblong and cylindric, stipitate; the wall very thin and fugacious. Stipe more or less elongated, smooth and black, arising from a common hypothallus, tapering upward, entering the sporangium and prolonged nearly or quite to the apex as a columella. Capillitium arising from numerous points of the columella throughout its entire length; the threads immediately branching and anastomosing to form an interior network, attaining the wall by numerous more or less elongated free extremities. Spores globose, brown or violaceous.

This genus is not sharply limited from Stemonitis. The species with very short free ends, and consequently with superficial meshes approximate to the wall, are near the form of Stemonitis. But it may be observed that in these species, the meshes of the capillitium become smaller gradually outward, the sides of the superficial meshes are arched away from the wall, and they are in contact with it only by the free extremities.

§1. Typhoides. Threads of the capillitium repeatedly branching and anastomosing, to form a dense network of small meshes, with innumerable short, free extremities.

1. Comatricha typhina, Roth. Sporangia short, erect or a little curved, cylindric or usually narrowing slightly upward, the base quite blunt, the apex more rounded, growing together on a thin hypothallus. Stipe and columella brown or blackish, tapering upward and vanishing near the apex of the sporangium, the stipe much shorter than the columella. Capillitium of slender flexuous tawny-brown threads; these branch repeatedly, forming an intricate network of small irregular meshes, ending in very short free extremities. Spores globose, violaceous, very minutely warted, 6–8 mic. in diameter.

Growing on old wood, mosses, etc. Sporangium with the stipe 2–4 mm. in height, the stipe much the shorter, the sporangium .35-.40 mm. in thickness. Stemonitis typhoides, Fries, S. M.

2. Comatricha Æqualis, Pk. Sporangia usually more or less inclined or curved and nodding, cylindric, obtuse at each end, growing together on a thin hypothallus. Stipe and columella slender, smooth, black, extending nearly or quite to the apex of the sporangium, the stipe longer than the columella. Capillitium of very slender flexuous tawny-brown threads; these branch repeatedly, forming an intricate network of small irregular meshes, ending in very short free extremities. Spores globose, minutely warted, dark violaceous, 7–9 mic. in diameter.

Growing on old wood. Sporangium 1.5–3 mm. in height by .35-.40 mm. in thickness, the stipe usually about the same length as the sporangium, but sometimes nearly twice as long. The capillitium is rather looser than in C. typhina, whence the drooping habit. Peck, Thirty-first Report, p. 42.

3. Comatricha nigra, Pers. Sporangia globose or ovoid to ellipsoid or oblong, erect or sometimes inclined or even nodding. The stipe very long, smooth and black, tapering upward, expanding at the base into a small circular hypothallus; the columella short, reaching from one-half to three-fourths the height of the sporangium. Capillitium of slender flexuous brown threads, which branch repeatedly, forming a dense intricate network of small meshes, ending in very short free extremities. Spores globose, even, dark violaceous, 8–10 mic. in diameter.

Growing on old wood, leaves, etc. Sporangium .5–1.5 mm. in height, .5-.8 mm. in diameter, the stipe 1.5–3 mm. long or sometimes considerably longer. This species seems to be rare in this country. I have preferred the name adopted by Schroeter to Rostafinski's Comatricha Friesiana.

4. Comatricha Ellisii, Morgan, n. sp. Sporangia short, erect, oval or ovoid to oblong. Stipe and columella erect, brown and smooth, rising from a thin pallid hypothallus, tapering upward and vanishing into the capillitium toward the apex of the sporangium, the stipe usually longer than the columella. Capillitium of slender pale brown threads; these branch several times with lateral anastomosing branchlets, forming a rather open network of small meshes, ending with very short free extremities. Spores globose, even, pale ochraceous, 6–7 mic. in diameter. See Plate XI, Fig. 29.

Growing on old pine wood. Sporangium .3-.6 mm. in height by .3-.5 mm. in width, the stipe usually a little longer than the sporangium. This elegant little species I have from Mr. J. B. Ellis, of Newfield, N. J. It is said to be mingled in some of the specimens with Lamproderma Ellisiana, Cke.

§2. Larvella. Threads of the capillitium branching a few times and anastomosing to form a network of large meshes, attaining the wall by numerous long, free extremities.

5. Comatricha crypta, Schw. Sporangia cylindric, bent or flexuous and more or less inclined, growing close together on a conspicuous purplish-brown hypothallus. Stipe and columella smooth and black, tapering upward and reaching the apex of the sporangium, the columella bent and flexuous or spirally twisted, about as long as the stipe. Capillitium composed of irregular, bent and uneven threads, which are brown below, becoming colorless outwardly; the threads branch a few times, forming a network of large irregular meshes, sometimes much defective; the free extremities irregular and unequal, simple or branched. Spores globose, brown, minutely warted, 7–9 mic. in diameter. See Plate XI, Fig. 30.

Growing out of fissures of the bark and wood of Hickory, Acer, etc. Sporangium with the stipe 4–7 mm. in height, the stipe a little shorter, or sometimes much longer than the sporangium, the latter .25-.30 mm. in thickness. The exterior colorless portion of the capillitium is exceedingly delicate, easily breaking away and leaving the capillitium quite irregular and defective. Stemonitis crypta, Schweinitz's N. A. Fungi, 2351. Comatricha irregularis, Rex, is the same thing.

6. Comatricha cÆspitosa, Sturgis. Sporangia short, clavate, densely crowded or cÆspitose upon a delicate hypothallus; the wall subpersistent, silvery, shining with tints of purple and blue. Stipe very short or nearly obsolete, the columella rising to two-thirds or three-fourths the height of the sporangium. Capillitium of slender dark-brown threads, which branch and anastomose quite irregularly, forming a network of intermingled large and small meshes, ending in long, tapering, free extremities. Spores globose, minutely spinulose, dark violaceous, 10–12 mic. in diameter.

Growing on moss and lichens, at Wood's Holl, Massachusetts. Sporangium 1–1.5 mm. in height, the stipe very short or sometimes apparently wanting. I am indebted to Dr. W. C. Sturgis, of New Haven, Conn., for a specimen of this unique species.

7. Comatricha longa, Peck. Sporangia very slender and much elongated, tapering gradually upward, weak and prostrate or pendulous, growing close together on a well-developed purplish-black hypothallus. Stipe and columella capillary, smooth and black, reaching to the apex of the sporangium or often vanishing in the network far below it, the stipe very short, the columella long and flexible. Capillitium of long, slender, dark-brown threads; these are reticulately connected near the base, forming a network of large irregular meshes in a series along the columella; outwardly they are terminated by very long free branchlets, which vary from simple to two or three times forked or branched. Spores globose, minutely warted, dark brown, 8–10 mic. in diameter. See Plate XI, Fig. 31.

Growing on old wood and bark of Elm, Willow, etc., in Autumn. Sporangium with the stipe 15–40 mm. in length, the stipe 3–8 mm. long, the sporangium .25-.40 mm. in thickness. This is the most characteristic species of the genus, being farthest removed from Stemonitis.

8. Comatricha flaccida, Lister. Sporangia growing closely crowded together and more or less confluent, on a purplish-brown hypothallus, the walls fugacious. Columellas rising simply from the common hypothallus, or sometimes grown together below and then apparently branching, running through to the apex, and there often confluent with each other, or joined together by portions of membrane. Capillitium of slender brown threads, which branch and anastomose very irregularly, forming a ragged network with large irregular meshes, and long free extremities; the capillitium of adjoining columellas being much entangled, and often confluent or grown together. Spores globose, very minutely warted, brown, 7–9 mic. in diameter.

Growing on old wood and bark of Oak, Willow, etc. The component sporangia 5–10 mm. in length. The early appearance is much like that of species of Stemonitis, but the mature stage is a great mass of spores with scanty capillitium, as in Reticularia; the columellas, however, are genuine and not adjacent portions of wall grown together. Arthur Lister calls this Stemonitis splendens, var. flaccida.

IV. STEMONITIS, Gled. Sporangia subcylindric, elongated, stipitate, standing close together on a well-developed common hypothallus, the wall very thin and evanescent. Stipe brown or black, smooth and shining, tapering upward, entering the sporangium and prolonged nearly to the apex as a slender columella, the stipe shorter than the columella. Capillitium arising from numerous points of the columella throughout its entire length; the threads immediately branch and anastomose to form an interior network of large meshes, they then spread out next the wall of the sporangium into a superficial network of smaller meshes. Spores globose, brown or violaceous.

In this genus there are two distinctly differentiated series in the capillitium, the one an interior supporting network of large meshes, the other a superficial network of smaller meshes; sometimes the superficial network disappears or is wanting toward the upper part of the capillitium, there is then an approach to Comatricha. Very minute scattered branchlets usually connect the superficial network with the wall of the sporangium.

§1. Dictynna. Threads of the capillitium arising from numerous points of the columella, immediately branching several times and anastomosing to form the interior network of large meshes; the superficial network consisting of small irregular and unequal meshes, varying from smaller than the spores to two or three times their diameter.

1. Stemonitis fusca, Roth. Sporangia elongated, subcylindric, tapering and obtuse at the apex, tapering gradually downward, growing closely crowded together on a strongly-developed brown hypothallus. Stipe and columella smooth and black, tapering gradually upward and disappearing near the apex of the sporangium, the stipe shorter than the columella. Capillitium of slender brown or blackish threads, which immediately branch and anastomose, forming a dense interior network of large irregular meshes, the ultimate branchlets of which support a superficial network of small polygonal meshes. Spores globose, dark violaceous, the surface minutely warted, the warts with a reticulate arrangement, 7–9 mic. in diameter.

Growing on old wood, bark, leaves, etc.; common everywhere. Sporangium with the stipe 6–15 mm. in height, the sporangium .3-.4 mm. in thickness, the stipe variable in length, but always shorter than the sporangium. The meshes of the superficial net vary in size in the same sporangium, being usually 5–25 mic. in width, but sometimes they are larger, ranging from 10–40 mic. in extent. The name Stemonitis maxima was given by Schweinitz to some unusually large specimens which grew on a Polyporus. Stemonitis dictyospora of Rostafinski's monograph, with spores 12 mic. in diameter, is said to occur in South Carolina; I have seen no specimens.

2. Stemonitis tenerrima, B. & C. Sporangia small, subcylindric, tapering and obtuse at the apex, tapering gradually downward, growing close together on a thin brown hypothallus. Stipe and columella black and smooth, tapering gradually upward and vanishing toward the apex of the sporangium, the stipe shorter than the columella. Capillitium of very slender pale violet threads, which branch and anastomose to form a dense interior network of large irregular meshes, and then spread out into a superficial network of small polygonal meshes. Spores globose, even, pale brownish-violet, 6–8 mic. in diameter. See Plate XI, Fig. 32.

Growing on old wood, mosses, etc. Sporangium with the stipe 5–9 mm. in height, the sporangium .2-.3 mm. in thickness, the stipe variable in length, but always shorter than the sporangium. The meshes of the superficial network varying usually from 3–15 mic. in width, but sometimes larger from 8–25 mic. The species grows scantily in this region, but I have elegant specimens from Alabama, sent me by Prof. Geo. F. Atkinson.

3. Stemonitis microspora, Lister. Plasmodium white. Sporangia elongated, subcylindric, tapering and obtuse at the apex, tapering gradually downward, growing closely crowded together on a strongly-developed brown hypothallus. Stipe and columella brown and smooth, tapering gradually upward and reaching nearly to the apex of the sporangium, the stipe shorter than the columella. Capillitium of slender tawny-brown threads; the primary branches simple or only branched above, or with a few lateral anastomosing branchlets, forming a rather loose network of large irregular meshes; these support a superficial network of very small polygonal meshes. Spores globose, even, tawny-brown, 5–6 mic. in diameter.

Growing on old wood, bark, leaves, etc.; very common in this region. Sporangium with the stipe 7–15 mm. in height, the sporangium .3-.4 mm. in thickness, the stipe shorter than the sporangium. Meshes of the superficial network 4–20 mic. in width. I am indebted to Arthur Lister, Esq., of London, for pointing out to me the difference between this species and the Stemonitis ferruginea of Fries and Rostafinski.

4. Stemonitis ferruginea, Ehr. Plasmodium lemon-yellow. Sporangia subcylindric, the apex obtuse, growing closely crowded together on a thin, brown hypothallus. Stipe and columella brown and smooth, tapering gradually upward and vanishing beneath the apex of the sporangium, the stipe much shorter than the columella. Capillitium of slender, tawny-brown threads, which immediately branch and anastomose, forming a dense interior network of large irregular meshes, supporting a superficial network of small polygonal meshes. Spores globose, very minutely warted, tawny-brown in color, 7–9 mic. in diameter.

Growing on old wood, leaves, grasses, etc. Sporangium with the stipe 4–10 mm. in height, the sporangium .3-.4 mm. in thickness, the stipe much shorter than the sporangium. The meshes of the superficial network varying from 6–30 mic. or sometimes from 10–40 mic. in width, according to the specimen. The species is certainly rare in this country, and my description is drawn up from British specimens. But I am unable to distinguish authentic specimens of Stemonitis herbatica, Peck, from these British specimens.

§2. Megalodictys. Threads of the capillitium arising from rather distant points of the columella, branching and anastomosing but a few times, thus forming an interior network of very large meshes; the superficial network consisting of large irregular meshes, varying from three or four to many times the diameter of the spores.

5. Stemonitis Webberi, Rex. Sporangia subcylindric, the apex obtuse, tapering gradually downward, growing close together on a common hypothallus. Stipe and columella black and smooth, the stipe very short, the columella extending nearly or quite to the apex of the sporangium, the upper part usually flexuous. Capillitium composed of slender, flexuous brown threads; these immediately branch and anastomose several times, forming an interior network of very large meshes; the superficial network consisting of large irregular meshes, sometimes much elongated. Spores globose, very minutely warted, brown, 7–9 mic. in diameter. See Plate XI, Fig. 34.

Growing on old wood, bark, etc. Sporangium with the stipe 5–10 mm. in height, the stipe 1–2 mm. in length, the sporangium .3-.4 mm. in thickness; meshes of the superficial net of the capillitium 40–100–150 mic. in extent. This is a much smaller species than Stemonitis splendens, and the structure of the interior network of the capillitium is entirely different.

6. Stemonitis splendens, Rost. Sporangia linear-cylindric, obtuse at the apex, growing close together on a conspicuous hypothallus. Stipe and columella black and shining, the stipe very short, the columella reaching nearly or quite to the apex of the sporangium, often flexuous above. Capillitium composed of brown threads, variable in thickness, often with membranaceous expansions; the primary branches some of them simple or only branched above, others with a few anastomosing branchlets, forming an interior network of extremely large meshes; the superficial network consisting of large, irregular, roundish or polygonal meshes. Spores globose, very minutely warted, brown, 7–9 mic. in diameter. See Plate XI, Fig. 33.

Growing on old wood. Sporangium with the stipe 15–25 mm. in height, the stipe 4–6 mm. in length, the sporangium about .4 mm. in thickness; the meshes of the superficial network of the capillitium 25–50-80 mic. or sometimes as much as 100 mic. in extent. This is Stemonitis Morgani, Peck.

V. ENERTHENEMA, Bowm. Sporangium regular, globose, stipitate; the wall thin and fragile, fugacious. Stipe stout, thick, tapering upward, entering the sporangium and prolonged to its apex, there expanding into a discoid membrane. Capillitium originating from the lower surface of the apical disk of the columella; the threads branched a few times and hanging downward, their extremities free. Spores globose, violaceous.

A well-marked genus, by reason of the peculiar origin of the capillitium.

1. Enerthenema papillatum, Pers. Sporangium globose, stipitate; the wall brown or blackish, soon disappearing. Stipe black, rugulose, thick below, tapering above into the slender columella, which, at its apex, expands into a thin membranaceous disk. Capillitium of long brown threads suspended from the apical disk, the threads branched a few times, occasionally anastomosing by a short, transverse branchlet, the free ends often forked. Spores globose, very minutely warted, violaceous, 10–12 mic. in diameter. See Plate XI, Fig. 35.

Growing on old wood. Stipe and columella .8–1.2 mm. in height. The species seems to be rare in this country, as I have met with it but once myself, and have received only a few specimens from elsewhere.

VI. DIACHÆA, Fr. Sporangia globose to oblong, stipitate, arising from a common hypothallus; the wall thin, rugulose, iridescent with metallic tints, breaking up irregularly and gradually falling away. Stipe and columella thick, erect, rigid, tapering upward, filled with minute, roundish granules of lime, white or yellowish in color. Capillitium arising from numerous points of the columella, the threads repeatedly branching and anastomosing to form an intricate network, attaining the wall by numerous short free extremities. Spores globose, violaceous.

This genus is scarcely to be distinguished from Lamproderma, except by the white mass of lime which fills the tube of the stipe and columella.

1. DiachÆa leucopoda, Bull. Sporangia ovoid-oblong to short cylindric, the base obtuse or slightly umbilicate, the apex more rounded; the wall with bronze, blue, purple, and violet tints, gradually falling away. Stipe short, thick, white, arising from a white, venulose, hypothallus, tapering upward; the columella cylindric or slightly tapering, obtuse, terminating below the apex of the sporangium. Capillitium of slender, flexuous brown threads forming a dense network of rather small meshes. Spores globose, very minutely warted, violaceous, 7–9 mic. in diameter.

Growing on old leaves, sticks, etc., and sometimes running over living plants. Sporangium with the stipe 1–2 mm. in height, the stipe usually much shorter than the sporangium, the latter .4-.5 mm. in thickness. DiachÆa elegans, Fr.

2. DiachÆa splendens, Peck. Sporangia globose, sometimes a little depressed, with the base umbilicate; the wall steel-blue with tints of purple and violet, quite persistent, rupturing irregularly. Stipe short, thick, white, arising from a white, reticulate hypothallus, tapering upward; the columella oblong or short cylindric, extending beyond the center of the sporangium. Capillitium of slender, brown threads, which branch several times and form a loose network of rather large meshes. Spores subglobose, with very large warts, dark violet, 8–10 mic. in diameter.

Growing on old leaves and twigs. Sporangium .4-.6 mm. in diameter, the stipe about the same length. This is a beautiful species.

3. DiachÆa Thomasii, Rex. Sporangia globose, or sometimes a little depressed; the wall gold-bronze, with tints of purple and blue, subpersistent, rupturing irregularly. Stipe thick, dull ochre-yellow in color, variable in length, usually very short and sometimes quite obsolete, arising from an ochre-yellow hypothallus; the columella varying from bluntly-conical to cylindric-clavate, attaining the center of the sporangium. Capillitium of slender, brown threads, radiating from all points of the columella, branching several times and forming a loose network of elongated meshes. Spores globose, minutely warted, violaceous, 11–12 mic. in diameter. See Plate XI, Fig. 36.

Growing on sticks, leaves, etc. Sporangium .5-.7 mm. in diameter, the stipe usually shorter or sometimes wanting. This species has been found only in the mountains of North Carolina. I am indebted to Dr. George A. Rex for my example. In its structure the species is essentially a Lamproderma, but the stipe and columella are stuffed with granules of lime.

EXPLANATION OF PLATE XI.

• Fig. 25.—Sectional view of the capillitium and stipe of Clastoderma De Baryanum, Blytt.
• Fig. 26.—Section through the capillitium, columella and stipe of Lamproderma arcyrionema, Rost.
• Fig. 27.—Perpendicular section through Lamproderma violaceum, Fr.
• Fig. 28.—Perpendicular section through Lamproderma scintillans, Berk.
• Fig. 29.—Section through the capillitium, columella and stipe of Comatricha Ellisii, Morgan.
• Fig. 30.—Sectional view through the capillitium and columella of a portion of Comatricha crypta, Schw.
• Fig. 31.—Sectional view through the columella and capillitium of a portion of Comatricha longa, Peck.
• Fig. 32.—A portion of the capillitium of Stemonitis tenerrima, B. & C.—A sectional view through the columella above and below a view of the superficial network.
• Fig. 33.—A portion of the capillitium of Stemonitis splendens, Rost.—A sectional view through the columella above and below a view of the superficial network.
• Fig. 34.—The capillitium of a very short sporangium of Stemonitis Webberi, Rex; the breadth, however, somewhat exaggerated.
• Fig. 35.—Showing the stipe, columella, apical disk and pendent capillitium of Enerthenema papillatum, Pers.
• Fig. 36.—Perpendicular section through the capillitium, columella, and stipe of DiachÆa Thomasii, Rex.

Note.—The figures of the objects are drawn as they appear under a magnifying power of about 100 diameters.