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A   MONOGRAPH 


OF 


THE   MYXOGASTKES. 


BY 


GEOKGE  MASSEE. 


jletfjuen  &  Co., 

18,  BUKY   STEEET,   LONDON,  E.G. 
1892. 


[All  rights  reserved.] 


RICHARD  CLAY  &  SONS,  LIMITED, 
LONDON  A  BUN-HAY. 


PEEFACE. 

THE  preparation  of  a  monograph  dealing  with  minute  organ- 
isms, where  the  descriptions  of  the  old  authors  are  compara- 
tively or  often  absolutely  valueless,  depends  on  the  facilities 
afforded  for  a  critical  examination  of  type  or  authentic  speci- 
mens. In  this  respect  I  have  enjoyed  exceptional  facilities. 
The  splendid  collection  of  Myxogastres  in  the  Royal  Herbarium, 
Kew,  rich  in  types,  and  with  numerous  annotations  by  Rosta- 
finski,  who  examined  the  collection  in  detail,  and  which  indeed 
served  as  the  basis  for  his  excellent  monograph,  also  served  me 
in  like  manner.  To  other  workers  in  the  same  field  in  different 
countries  I  am  also  indebted  for  the  loan  or  gift  of  valuable, 
and  in  some  instances  unique,  specimens.  To  all  who  have  in 
this  or  other  ways  assisted,  I  offer  my  sincere  thanks. 

Notwithstanding  the  excellent  work  initiated  by  the  late 
Professor  De  Bary,  and  continued  by  Brefeld,  Cienkowski, 
Woronin,  Zopf,  and  others,  the  life-history  of  the  majority  of 
forms  is  still  unknown ;  hence  all  attempts  at  classification,  as 
also  the  conception  as  to  what  constitutes  a  species,  must  be 
considered  as  tentative.  When  we  are  better  aquainted  with 
the  main  lines  of  development  and  lines  of  variation,  also  the 
conditions  determining  these  variations,  it  is  certain  that  the 
main  factor  in  the  discrimination  of  species  will  not  be  a  one- 
twelfth  oil-immersion  objective. 

GEO.  MASSEE. 

Kew,  1892. 


A 

MONOGRAPH  OF  THE  MYXOGASTRES. 


HISTORICAL. 

NEGLECTING  the  allusions  made  to  members  of  the  present 
group  by  the  pioneers  of  science,  we  find  amongst  the  earliest 
of  unmistakable  accounts,  an  essay  on  the  organism  popularly 
known  as  "Flower  of  tan" — Fuligo  varians,  Host.,  by  Marchand, 
a  Frenchman.1  The  account,  as  would  be  expected,  savours 
of  the  mysterious;  but  it  is  evident  from  the  name  used, 
'Eponge,'  and  from  certain  remarks  made,  that  the  author 
considered  the  organism  as  being  most  nearly  allied  to  what 
are  at  present  considered  as  members  of  the  animal  kingdom. 
From  this  period  until  within  the  last  thirty  years,  the  Myxo- 
gastres  have  almost  universally  been  considered  as  fungi, 
and  with  but  few  exceptions  regarded  as  belonging  to  the 
Gastromycetes. 

Characteristic  figures  by  early  authors  occur  in  the  works 
of  Micheli,2  Gleditsch,3  Schaeffer,4  Bulliard,5  Sowerby,6  and 
Schrader.7  Fries  was  the  first  to  clearly  grasp  the  leading 
features  of  the  group  to  which  he  gave  the  name  of  Myxogastres, 
and  defined  as-  follows,  "  Primitus  mucilaginosi,  fluxiles."  8  In 

1  Sur  une  vegetation  particuliere  qui  vient  sur  le  tan,  Hist,  de  Vacad. 
roy.  des  sciences,  Paris  (1727). 

'2  Nov.  Plant.  Gen.  (1729).  3  Meth.  Fung.  (1753). 

4  Icon.  Fung.  (1762).  6  Hist.  Champ,  France  (1791—1798). 

6  Engl.  Fung.  (1797—1809).  7  Schrad.,  Nov.  Gen.  (1797). 

8  Syst.  Myc.,  iii.  p.  67  (1829). 


2  A  Monograph  of  the  Myxogastres. 

the  Friesian  arrangement  of  fungi,  the  Myxogastres  constitute 
one  of  the  two  sub-orders  of  the  Gastromycctes,  a  position  that 
was  perfectly  justifiable  when  we  remember  that  at  the  period 
in  question,  external  resemblances  were  accepted  as  proofs  of 
affinity ;  and  considering  the  advances  made  in  almost  every 
other  group  of  minute  organisms  due  to  microscopic  research, 
it  is  somewhat  remarkable  to  find  that  until  the  year  1864  the 
classification  of  the  Myxogastres  was  based  almost  entirely  on 
naked  eye,  or  at  most,  pocket-lens  characters.  At  the  date  last 
named,  the  appearance  of  Professor  De  Bary's  splendid  work  on 
the  present  group l  completely  revolutionized  all  the  pre-exist- 
ing ideas  as  to  structure  and  affinity,  and  has  served  as  the  basis 
upon  which  all  subsequent  writers  have  endeavoured  to  demon- 
strate kinship  amongst  the  various  sections  comprising  the 
group. 

Affinities. 

Respecting  the  nature  and  affinities  of  the  Myxogastres,  we 
find  the  following  in  Professor  De  Bary's  last  work  on  the 
subject — "I  have,  since  the  year  1858,  placed  the  Myxomycetes 
under  the  name  of  Mycetozoa  outside  the  limits  of  the  vegetable 
kingdom,  and  I  still  consider  this  to  be  their  true  position." 2 
This  statement  has  been  generally  interpreted,  and  probably 
correctly,  as  signifying  that  De  Bary  looked  upon  his  Mycetozoa 
as  animals ;  but  it  would  perhaps  have  been  wiser  to  have  stated 
this  belief  point-blank,  and  to  have  chosen  some  other  word 
than  Mycetozoa  to  designate  the  group,  thereby  dispelling  any 
lingering  of  doubt  as  to  his  meaning.  The  difficulty  is  not 
lessened  by  De  Bary's  introductory  paragraph  on  the  Mycetozoa, 
which  is  as  follows — "  The  name  Mycetozoa  is  here  applied  to 
a  group  of  fungus-like  organisms  amounting  at  the  present  time 
to  nearly  three  hundred  species,  the  larger  number  of  which 
are  contained  in  the  division  Myxomycetes  or  Slime-Fungi  (the 
Myxogastres  of  Fries),  together  with  the  smaller  one  distin- 
guished by  Van  Tieghem  under  the  name  of  Acrasieae. 

1  Die  Mycetozoen  (Sclileimpilze),  (1864). 

2  funyi  Mycctozua  and  Bacteria;  Engl.  ed.,  p.  444, 


A  Monograph  of  the  Myxogastres.  3 

"  t'he  resemblance  of  the  Mycetozoa  to  the  Fungi  is  due  partly 
to  their  mode  of  life  and  nutrition,  partly  to  the  close  agree- 
ment in  structure  and  biological  characters  between  their  organs 
of  reproduction  and  the  spores  of  Fungi.  A  spore-terminology 
corresponding  to  that  of  the  Fungi  will  therefore  be  applied  to 
the  present  group."  l  In  the  Myxogastres,  the  life  of  an  indi- 
vidual consists,  under  normal  conditions,  of  two  very  sharply 
defined  stages;  first,  the  vegetative  phase,  concerned  with 
functions  tending  towards  the  well-being  of  the  individual; 
second,  the  reproductive  phase,  concerned  entirely  with  the 
continuation  of  the  species.  The  above  quotation  not  only 
shows  that  De  Bary's  reasons  for  placing  the  Myxogastres  in 
the  animal  kingdom  are  derived  entirely  from  the  vegetative 
phase,  but  what  is  equally  important  to  note,  that  the  disparity 
between  the  reproductive  phase  in  the  Myxogastres  and  that 
exhibited  by  any  of  the  lower  groups  of  animals  is  so  great, 
while  "the  close  agreement  in  structure  and  biological  cha- 
racters between  their  organs  of  reproduction  and  the  spores  of 
fungi "  are  so  pronounced,  that  De  Bary  was  compelled  to  adopt 
the  terminology  used  by  fungologists  in  describing  all  the  parts 
belonging  to  the  reproductive  phase,  and  not  only  the  spores ; 
such  terms  as  sporangium,  capillitium,  columclla,  &c.,  are  used 
by  fungologists  for  structures  in  fungi  that  are  identical  in 
function  with  the  structures  designated  by  the  same  names  by 
De  Bary  in  the  Myxogastres. 

Passing  to  the  evidences  of  affinity  afforded  by  the  vegetative 
phase,  we  find  De  Bary's  idea  on  this  point  expressed  in  the 
following  quotation — 

"The  group  of  the  Mycetozoa  differs  distinctly  from  the 
Fungi  which  have  been  the  subject  of  the  first  part  of  this  book 
in  all  such  characteristics  as  do  not  belong  to  all  organisms 
alike,  and  the  descriptions  already  given  of  both  kinds  of  plants 
render  any  further  explanation  of  the  point  unnecessary ;  their 
connection  also  with  other  known  plants  is  still  more  remote. 
The  difference  would  not  be  less  decided  if  the  Mycetozoa  were 
without  their  remarkable  movements,  for  such  movements  are 

1  Tom.  cit.  p.  421. 


4  A  Monograph  of  the  Myxogastres. 

observed  in  other  vegetable  cells  which  have  not  a  "firm 
membrane.  The  characteristic  mark  of  separation  lies  in  the 
formation  of  plasmodia  or  aggregation  of  swarm-cells." l 

We  find  in  the  above  paragraph  the  reasons  why  the  Myxo- 
gastres are  placed  outside  the  vegetable  kingdom ;  these  reasons 
we  further  find  to  be  two  in  number — one  general,  the  other 
specific.  Commencing  with  the  general  reason,  "  The  group  of 
the  Mycetozoa  differs  distinctly  from  the  Fungi  ...  in  all  such 
characteristics  as  do  not  belong  to  all  organisms  alike."  In 
estimating  the  value  of  the  above  reason,  it  will  be  most 
satisfactory  to  accept  De  Bary's  own  idea  as  to  what  constitutes 
a  standpoint  for  comparison,  which  is  as  follows — "  We  find  it 
impossible  to  establish  any  strict  homologies,  and  we  are  limited 
to  the  observation  of  resemblances  in  form,  structure,  and  mode 
of  life." 2  As  stated  above,  the  Myxogastres  are  so  far  differ- 
entiated as  to  have  the  vegetative  and  reproductive  phases 
sharply  defined,  and  it  is  customary,  I  believe,  to  take  the  sum 
of  characters  presented  by  loth  phases,  in  determining  affinities ; 
hence  while  admitting  that  reproduction  is  common  to  all 
organisms  alike,  I  maintain  that  differences  of  degree  in 
connection  with  reproduction,  are  also  of  value  in  determining 
affinities,  and  consequently  cannot  reconcile  "the  resemblance 
of  the  Mycetozoa  to  the  Fungi  is  due  partly  to  their  mode  of 
life  and  nutrition,  partly  to  the  close  agreement  in  structure 
and  biological  characters  between  their  organs  of  reproduction  and 
the  spores  of  Fungi  " — (the  italics  are  ours) — with  "  the  group 
of  the  Mycetozoa  differs  distinctly  from  the  Fungi  .  .  .  in  all 
such  characteristics  as  do  not  belong  to  all  organisms  alike" — 
(italics  ours) — especially  as  De  Bary  admits  that  in  such  simple 
groups,  our  proofs  of  affinity  are  "limited  to  the  observation 
of  resemblances  in  forms,  structure,  and  mode  of  life." 

Second,  or  specific  reason. — "  The  characteristic  mark  of 
separation  lies  in  the  formation  of  plasmodia  or  aggregation  of 
swarm- cells." 

To  realize  the  true  value  of  the  two  points,  both  presented  by 
the  vegetative  phase,  and  considered  by  De  Bary  as  of  sufficient 

1  Tom.  cit.  p.  443.  2  Tom.  cit.  p.  443. 


A  Monograph  of  the  Myxogastres.  5 

importance    to    place    the    Mycetozoa   outside    the    vegetable 
kingdom,  the  formation  of  a  plasmodium  in  the  Myxomycetes,  or 
the  aggregation  of  swarm-cells  in  the  Acrasieae,  the  two  primary 
divisions  of  the  Mycetozoa,  it  is  necessary  to  commence  with 
the  germination  of  the  spore.     In  the  Myxomycetes,  the  spores 
on  germination  give  origin  to  one,  two,  or  more  naked  cells, 
which  possess  the  power  of  movement  due  to  the  protrusion  of 
pseudopodia  or  the  presence  of  a  cilium ;  these  cells  are  known 
as  swarm-cells.     The  swarm-cells  possess  a  nucleus,  multiply  by 
bipartition,  and  eventually  coalesce  to  form  a  plasmodium  in 
the    following   manner.      After    the   production   of    numerous 
swarm-spores  by  repeated  bipartition,  little  groups  are  formed 
by  the  close  approach  of  two  or  more  of  these  bodies;    these 
groups  often  disperse  again,  but  eventually  the  components  of 
a  group  coalesce,  and  lose  their  individuality ;   this  coalescence 
and  loss  of  individuality  results  in  the  formation  of  a  small 
plasmodium,  which,  in  some  unknown  way,  possesses  the  power 
of  attracting  surrounding  free  swarm-cells ;  these  at  once  coalesce 
and  add  to  the  bulk  of  the  plasmodium.     The  nuclei  of  the 
component  swarm-cells  retain  their  individuality  in  the  plas- 
modium, the  latter  retaining  the   power  of  motion  originally 
possessed   by   its   components,   and   represents   the   vegetative 
phase  of  a  Myxogaster.  •  The  above  is  De  Bary's  conception  of 
the  formation  of  a  plasmodium,  to  which  may  be  added,  in  his 
own  words — "  Nuclei  were  not  at  first  observed  in  the  plasmodia. 
Cienkowski  even  stated   expressly  that   the  nuclei  present   in 
the  swarm-cells  disappear  when  they  coalesce.     But   Schmitz 
and    Strasburger   have   recently   established    the    presence    of 
numerous  nuclei  in  the  plasmodium,  and  it  may  be  presumed 
that   they   are   the  persistent   nuclei   of  the   swarm-cells  and 
products  of  their  division." *     The  presence  of  a  thick,  colourless 
membrane   surrounding   the   plasmodia  in    Lycogala,   Arcyria 
punicea,  and  Stemonitis  fusca  has  been  noted  by  De  Bary,  who 
also  found  that  in  the  last-named  species,  the  inner  and  thicker 
portion   of    the   envelope    became    blue    with    iodine.     Under 
certain   conditions    unfavourable    for    active    vegetative    work> 

1  Tom.  cit.  p.  425. 


6  A  Monograph  of  the  Myxogastres. 

plasrnodia  possess  the  power  of  passing  into  a  temporary 
sclerotioid  or  resting  stage ;  the  preliminaries  for  this  condition 
are  the  breaking  up  of  the  protoplasm  into  innumerable  roundish 
or  polyhedric  cells  with  an  average  diameter  of  from  25 — 40  /u.. 
In  some  species,  as  Fuligo  and  Didymium  serpula,  the  cells 
become  surrounded  by  a  distinct,  colourless  membrane,  which 
shows  the  reaction  of  cellulose  with  iodine  and  sulphuric  acid  or 
with  Schulze's  solution. 

In  the  Acrasieae,  the  spores  on  germination  give  origin  to 
ameboid  swarm-cells,  ciliated  cells  never  being  produced ; 
after  undergoing  repeated  bi  partitions,  the  swarm-cells  form 
dense  masses,  but  although  crowded  together,  do  not  coalesce ; 
this  crowding  together  without  loss  of  individuality  constitutes 
what  De  Bary  terms,  aggregation  of  swarm-cells. 

From  the  above  account  we  learn  that  the  coalescence  of 
naked,  motile  cells,  or  even  the  aggregation  of  naked  motile 
cells  without  loss  of  individuality,  is,  from  De  Bary's  standpoint, 
the  proof  that  the  Myxogastres  are  not  plants. 

Naked  or  primordial  cells  are  as  a  rule  motile ;  in  fact  a 
considerable  amount  of  motility  is  usually  exhibited  by  proto- 
plasm when  imprisoned  in  a  cell-wall ;  hence  we  may  presume 
that  motility,  being  so  general,  is  not  an  important  factor  in 
the  character  that  proves  Myxogastres  to  be  animals;  in  fact 
De  Bary  admits  that  the  differences  between  the  Mycetozoa 
and  the  Fungi  "  would  not  be  less  decided  if  the  Mycetozoa  were 
without  their  remarkable  movements,  for  such  movements  are 
observed  in  other  vegetable  cells  which  have  not  a  firm 
membrane."  The  Acrasieae  show  that  the  coalescence,  with 
loss  of  individuality  of  the  component  cells,  may  be  omitted 
from  the  character  that  separates  the  Myxogastres  from 
plants;  hence  we  find  that  the  only  point  not  neutralized 
by  De  Bary's  own  statements  is  that  of  naked  cells;  conse- 
quently we  may,  by  following  De  Bary's  reasoning,  formulate 
the  character  that  excludes  the  Myxogastres  from  the  vege- 
table kingdom  as  follows — Cells  naked  during  the  entire  vege- 
tative, period. 

Notwithstanding  the  fact   that   the  above   definition  covers 


A  Monograph  of  the  Myocogastres.  7 

the  crucial  point  in  De  Bary's  characteristic  work  of  separation, 
which  "lies  in  the  formation  of  plasmodia  or  aggregation  of 
swarm-cells,"  it  will  be  well  to  treat  individually,  all  the  points 
embodied  in  the  original,  commencing  with  the  coalescence  of 
cells.  This  coalescence,  and  consequent  loss  of  individuality 
of  cells  to  form  a  common  mass  of  protoplasm  capable  of 
spontaneous  movement,  is  the  leading  characteristic  of  a 
plasmodium ;  but  it  is  an  undoubted  fact  that  motility  is  to  a 
very  considerable  extent  influenced  by  the  presence  or  absence 
of  a  cell- wall,  or  to  the  relative  plasticity  of  the  cell-wall  when 
present;  and  coalescence  of  protoplasm,  even  when  cell- walls 
intervene,  is  highly  characteristic  of  fungi,  and  has  received  differ- 
ent names  depending  on  its  supposed  morphological  or  physio- 
logical functions ;  it  is  sufficient  to  name  "  clamp-connections  " 
characteristic  of  the  vegetative  hyphae  of  the  Basidiomycetes ;  and 
the  complex  irregular  network  formed  by  the  vegetative  hyphae 
of  many  of  the  forms  included  in  the  Hyphomycetes  as  being  due 
to  the  fusion  of  portions  of  protoplasm  originally  distinct.  In 
the  above  examples  the  component  hyphae  are  septate ;  but  in 
the  Mucorini,  where  the  hyphae  are  entirely  without  septa, 
there  is  a  still  nearer  approach  to  a  plasmodium. 

In  the  last-named  group,  the  spore  on  germination  gives 
origin  to  an  intricately  branched  mycelium,  the  component 
branches  of  which  eventually  form  a  dense,  irregular  network, 
due  to  the  numerous  points  at  which  coalescence  of  originally 
distinct  branches  has  taken  place.  If  single  spores,  picked  up 
under  a  low  magnifying  power,  on  the  point  of  a  needle  touched 
with  glycerine,  are  sown  on  glass  slips  in  a  thin  smearing  of 
sterilized  decoction  of  raisins,  covered  with  large  squares  of  thin 
glass  sterilized  by  passing  through  the  flame  of  a  spirit-lamp, 
raised  at  one  end  by  a  strip  of  tracing-paper  to  prevent  crushing 
the  spore,  and  at  once  sealed  up  with  cement,  it  will  be  found 
that  in  most  cases,  spores  of  the  Hyphomycetes  or  Phycomycetes  will 
germinate  at  once,  and  continue  to  grow  until  a  considerable 
mass  of  mycelium  is  formed ;  such  preparations  can  be  examined 
at  any  moment  under  high  powers  without  loss  of  time,  and 
the  behaviour  of  the  mycelium  followed.  A  noteworthy  feature 


8  A  Monograph  of  the  Myxogastres. 

presented  during  the  growth  of  the  primary  mycelium  is  the 
gradual  tapering  of  the  hyphae ;  this  tapering  is  of  a  two-fold 
nature;  the  main  trunk,  or  first  portion  emitted  by  the  spore 
produces  secondary  thinner  branches,  these  in  turn  bear  still 
thinner  branches,  and  this  production  of  successively  thinner 
hyphae  results  in  a  complex  structure,  which  may  be  compared 
to  the  branching  of  a  tree,  commencing  with  the  trunk  and 
ending  with  the  youngest  and  thinnest  ramifications.  The 
second  type  of  tapering  is  seen  in  the  gradual  attenuation  of  the 
component  hyphae ;  this  is  most  conspicuous  in  the  case  of 
elongated,  unbranched  hyphae,  which  from  a  basal  width  of 
8 — 10  IJL  taper  gradually  towards  the  apex,  which  may  not  exceed 
2  PL  in  width.  If  a  spore  of  Mucor  lateritius,  a  species  met  with 
on  semi-putrid  potatoes,  be  sown  on  a  glass  slip  in  a  drop  of 
sterilized  decoction  of  decayed  potato,  and  kept  in  a  damp 
atmosphere  under  a  small  bell-jar,  growth  proceeds  somewhat  as 
described  above ;  a  dense  mycelium  showing  the  two  aspects  of 
attenuation  is  developed ;  and  as  growth  proceeds  an  irregular 
reticulation  is  formed,  due  to  the  coalescence  of  originally 
distinct  lateral  branches.  This  coalescence  is  not  confined  to 
cases  where  two  hyphae  happen  to  meet  in  the  ordinary  course 
of  growth,  but  in  many  instances,  as  described  in  detail  by 
Professor  Marshall  Ward  in  the  instance  of  a  species  of 
Botrytis,1  the  hyphae  attract  each  other,  and  may  be  deflected 
from  their  previous  course  through  a  right  angle  or  even  more. 
The  peripheral  hyphae  usually  elongate  for  some  distance  in 
straight  lines,  the  unknown  factor  in  connection  with  coalescence 
being  apparently  absent  from  the  youngest  portions,  and  only 
manifests  itself  at  some  distance  behind  the  tips  of  the  hyphae, 
where  it  possibly  determines  first  the  origin  of  lateral  branches, 
and  subsequently  their  direction.  This  yearning  for  coalescence 
is  not  common  to  all  lateral  branches.  The  hyphae  possess  a 
cell-wall  but  no  transverse  septa,  hence  the  protoplasm  is 
continuous  throughout  the  intricate  mycelium,  and,  as  would  be 
expected,  the  cell-wall  is  exceedingly  thin  and  yielding,  and 
becomes  very  pale  blue  with  iodine,  and  very  pale  brownish- 

1  A  lily-diseuse.     Antuds  of  Botany,  vol.  ii.  pp.  319 — 378,  5  plates. 


A  Monograph  of  the  Myxogastres.  9 

purple  with  cellulose  reagents.  After  the  vegetative  mycelium 
has  acquired  a  certain  amount  of  reserve  material,  one  or  more 
of  the  thickest  portions  give  origin  to  yet  thicker  branches 
which  grow  erect ;  each  erect  branch  at  length  becomes  dilated 
into  a  large  sphere  at  its  apex ;  into  this  sphere  a  considerable 
amount  of  protoplasm,  obtained  from  the  vegetative  mycelium, 
becomes  concentrated,  and  retained  by  the  development  of  a 
transverse  septum  at  the  base  of  the  sphere  where  it  passes  into 
its  support.  After  these  preliminaries,  the  reproductive  phase 
may  be  said  to  commence,  the  protoplasm  undergoes  differenti- 
ation, resulting  in  the  separation  of  lime  which  appears  in  the 
form  of  a  thin  frosting  outside  the  wall  of  the  sphere  or 
sporangium ;  another  portion  of  the  protoplasm  becomes  differen- 
tiated into  the  broadly  elliptical  conidia  or  spores ;  while  a  third 
portion  of  the  protoplasm,  which  may  be  considered  as  of  no 
value  in  the  process  of  spore-making,  remains  in  the  form  of 
very  thin,  irregular  strands  in  what  may  be  termed  the 
intercellular  spaces  between  the  spores.  Most  species  of  the 
Phycomycetes  and  Mucorini  pass  through  the  above  phases 
during  their  development,  differing  in  minor  points,  as  form  of 
conidia,  presence  or  absence  of  lime  on  sporangia,  &c.  The 
above  description  covers  many  points  in  the  development  of  a 
typical  member  of  the  Myxogastres.  The  latter  differ  at  the 
starting-point  in  the  first  product  of  germination,  being  more 
motile  than  in  Mucor,  after  coalescence  of  the  cells  to  form  a 
plasmodinm;  the  latter  usually  behaves  somewhat  similar  to 
the  mycelium  of  Mucor,  advance  of  the  mass  being  effected  by 
the  protrusion  of  long  tapering  strands  which  at  some  distance 
behind  the  tips  coalesce  to  form  a  dense,  irregular  network; 
every  portion  of  a  plasmodium,  even  the  thinnest  outlying 
strands,  are  furnished  with  a  distinct,  thin,  yielding  membrane, 
analogous  at  least  to  the  membrane  called  the  cell- wall,  protect- 
ing the  protoplasm  in  the  Mucor  mycelium ;  the  two  membranes 
agree  in  origin,  being  secreted  by  the  protoplasm ;  both  become 
blue  with  iodine,  and  pale  dirty  brownish-violet  with  "  chlor-zinc 
iodide."  The  reproductive  phase  consists  in  the  conversion  of 
certain  portions  of  the  protoplasm  into  erect  sporangia  with  the 


10  A  Monograph  of  the  Myxogastres. 

apical  portion  usually  more  or  less  globose  ;  the  membrane  of 
the  plasmodium  is  continued  upwards  to  form  the  wall  of  the 
stem  and  sporangium,  the  protoplasm  of  the  plasmodium  passes 
into  the  newly  formed  sporangia,  undergoes  differentiation 
frequently  resulting  in  the  separation  of  lime  which  may  form  a 
crust  outside  the  sporangial  wall ;  spores  are  differentiated,  and 
generally  a  surplus  portion  of  the  protoplasm  takes  the  form  of 
a  more  or  less  complicated  network  mixed  with  the  spores,  and 
homologous  with  the  strands  described  as  being  present  in  the 
sporangium  of  Mucor,  inasmuch  as  both  structures  are  made 
from  a  substance  separated  from  protoplasm  during  spore- 
formation  ;  finally,  the  cell-wall  of  the  spores  of  the  Myxomycctes 
agrees  with  that  of  the  spores  of  fungi  in  giving  a  cellulose 
reaction  when  young ;  as  differentiation  of  the  wall  proceeds,  in 
common  with  the  spores  of  fungi,  mosses,  and  ferns,  the 
cellulose  reaction  is  no  longer  obtained,  except  perhaps  in  the 
inner  layers.  The  above  comparison  between  Mucor  and  the 
Myxoniycetes  is  not  introduced  with  the  view  of  showing  close 
homologies,  but  to  draw  attention  to  what  I  consider  may,  at 
least,  be  accepted  as  a  series  of  analogies,  which,  accepting  De 
Bary's  opinion,  would,  in  the  present  connection,  indicate 
affinities,  as  we  find  it  formulated  that  in  searching  for  affinities, 
"we  find  it  impossible  to  establish  any  strict  homologies,  and 
we  are  limited  to  the  observation  of  resemblances  in  form, 
structure,  and  mode  of  life." 

I  regret  to  say  that  I  am  not  sufficiently  familiar  with  the 
lower  forms  of  animal  life  to  indicate  any  group  presenting  an 
equal  number  of  analogous  points  with  the  Myxomycetcs,  as  have 
been  described  above  in  the  fungi  belonging  to  the  Mucorini, 
otherwise  I  should  be  too  pleased  to  do  so ;  it  is  not  my  desire 
to  endeavour  to  force  the  Myxogastres  into  filling  a  preconceived 
gap  in  the  vegetable  kingdom,  but  simply  to  analyze  the  reasons 
advanced  in  favour  of  their  exclusion  from  the  plant  world ; 
personally  it  is  not  a  matter  of  prime  importance  whether  it  be 
eventually  shown  that  I  have  been  a  botanist  or  a  zoologist. 
It  is  admitted  by  De  Bary  that  the  wall  or  membrane  of 
plasmodia,  the  cell-walls  of  spores,  and  various  other  structures 


A  Monograph  of  the  Myxogastres.  11 

belonging  to  different  orders  of  the  Myxogastres,  give  a  charac- 
teristic cellulose  reaction,  and  more  extended  experiments 
were  only  required  to  show  that  the  presence  of  cellulose 
during  some  or  other  phase  of  development  is  general  in  the 
Myxomycetes  ;  cellulose  as  a  protective  substance  cannot  be  said 
to  be  so  generally  present  as  in  phanerogams,  neither  is  it  so 
general  in  the  fungi,  hence  the  term  fungus-cellulose.  In  the 
Acrasieae  the  stipes  in  many  species  consists  of  one  or  more 
rows  of  superposed  cells  having  the  walls  composed  of  cellulose. 

The  presence  of  cellulose,  according  to  De  Bary,  is  the  only 
character  showing  that  the  Myxogastres  are  in  touch  with  the 
vegetable  kingdom — "  The  Mycetozoa  show  only  a  slight  agree- 
ment, either  in  the  general  course  of  their  development  or  in 
the  characteristic  features  of  its  separate  stages,  with  organisms 
that  are  of  undoubted  vegetable  origin ;  whether  they  be  fungi 
or  plants  other  than  fungi ;  the  agreement,  with  the  exception 
of  a  few  cases  in  which  cellulose  makes  its  appearance,  is 
confined  to  phenomena  which  are  common  to  all  organized 
bodies."1 

I  cannot  reconcile  the  above  sweeping  statement  with  the 
two  following,  first — in  connection  with  affinities,  "we  are  limited 
to  the  observation  of  resemblances  in  form,  structure,  and  mode 
of  life " ;  second,  "  the  resemblance  of  the  Mycetozoa  to  the 
Fungi  is  due  partly  to  their  mode  of  life  and  nutrition,  partly 
to  the  close  agreement  in  structure  and  biological  characters 
between  their  organs  of  reproduction  and  the  spores  of  Fungi." 
One  more  point  given  by  De  Bary  in  support  of  the  animal 
nature  of  the  Myxogastres  requires  to  be  noticed.  "  It  is  obvious 
moreover  according  to  our  present  knowledge  that  the  Mycetozoa 
are  the  superior  terminal  member  or  the  two  terminal  members 
of  a  series  of  forms  or  developments  which  commence  elsewhere. 
The  most  highly  differentiated  sections  of  the  group,  the 
Calcareae,  Trichiae,  Lycogala,  and  others,  give  evidence  of  no 
close  affinity  with  any  more  highly  differentiated  group ;  in  other 
words,  like  the  Gastromycetes  with  which  they  were  classed  by 
earlier  botanists,  they  do  not  connect  with  any  group  above 

1  Torn.  cit.  p.  444. 


12  A  Monograph  of  the  Myxogastres. 

them.  Hence  in  inquiring  after  their  affinities  we  must  be 
content  with  searching  for  a  possible  connection  with  an  in- 
ferior group,  and  for  the  simpler  forms  from  which  they  have 
proceeded. 

"  When  we  seek  for  such  a  connection  among  the  forms  with 
which  we  are  acquainted,  we  find  it  impossible  to  establish  any 
strict  homologies,  and  we  are  limited  to  the  observation  of 
resemblances  in  form,  structure,  and  mode  of  life.  Such  a  course 
of  unprejudiced  comparison  leads  us  by  a  very  short  step  to 
the  naked  '  Amoebae '  of  the  zoologists,  especially  in  Biitschli's 
sense,  as  the  starting-point,  organisms  with  bodies  having  the 
amoeboid  movements  of  the  swarm-cells  of  the  Myxomycetes, 
which  multiply,  as  far  we  at  present  know,  by  successive  biparti- 
tious  without  forming  plasmodia,  and  which  may  pass  singly  and 
without  aggregation  or  coalescence  into  states  of  rest  not  essen- 
tially different  in  their  characteristics  from  those  of  the  spores 
of  the  Myxomycetes."  l 

Undoubtedly  the  Myxogastres  must  be  considered  as  a 
terminal  group,  and  the  very  fact  of  this  admission  implies  a 
certain  amount  of  differentiation,  in  fact  sufficient  to  give 
individuality  to  the  group.  I  accept  De  Bary's  reasoning  as  to 
the  origin  of  the  Myxogastres,  and  as  an  evolutionist  am  ready 
to  extend  the  same  reasoning  to  other  groups,  as  having  had  a 
common  origin  from  the  lowest  forms  of  life,  where,  owing  to 
absence  of  differentiation,  the  ideas  implied  in  the  terms  animal 
and  vegetable  respectively  are  not  evolved,  and  I  consider  that 
the  entire  evidence  as  to  the  animal  or  plant  tendency  of  any 
departure  from  this  neutral  starting-point  consists  of  the  aggre- 
gate tendency  of  the  evolved  features  which  collectively  consti- 
tute the  characteristics  of  the  group  under  consideration  ;  and 
this  tendency  as  manifested  by  the  Myxogastres  I  consider  to  be 
in  the  direction  of  the  vegetable  kingdom,  and  more  especially 
in  the  direction  of  the  Fungi,  for  the  following  reasons,  which, 
keeping  in  view  the  fact  that  we  are  dealing  with  a  terminal 
group,  and  consequently  can  draw  no  comparisons  from  higher 
forms  of  the  same  type,  "  we  find  it  impossible  to  establish  any 

1  Tom.  cit.  p.  443. 


A  Monograph  of  the  Myxogastres.  13 

strict   homologies,  and   we  are  limited   to   the   observation  of 
resemblances  in  form,  structure,  and  mode  of  life." 

1.  Frequent  presence  of  cellulose  in  the  general  membrane 
protecting  plasmodia,  cell-walls  of  spores,  sporangia,  and  walls 
enclosing  the  protoplasm  in  the  sclerotioid  or  resting  stage  of 
plasmodia. 

2.  Presence  of  germ-pores  in  the  cell-walls  of  the  spores,  of 
some  species. 

3.  The  frequent  separation  of  lime  from  the  protoplasm  at  the 
commencement  of  the  reproductive  phase. 

4.  In  the  frequent  separation  of  a  substance  from  the  pro- 
toplasm during  the  period  of  spore  formation,  homologous  with 
the  substance  separated  during  the  same  period  in  the  Ascomy- 
cctes,  Mucorini,  &c.     This  substance  in  the  Myxogastres  forms 
the  capillitium. 

5.  The  agreement  with  many  fungi  in  the  contrivances  for 
spore  dissemination. 

6.  The  production  by  free  cell-formation  of  spores  protected 
in  the  early  stage  with  a  wall  of  cellulose,  which  eventually 
becomes  differentiated,  and   as  stated   by  De   Bary,  "behaves 
towards  reagents  in  a  similar  manner  to  cuticularized   plant- 
cell-membranes  and  to  spore-membranes  as  in  the  Fungi." l 

7.  Presenting    analogy    with    undoubted    members    of    the 
vegetable  kingdom,  as  Hyclrodictyon,  where  the  naked,  motile 
swarm-cells   coalesce   to   form   a   coenobium  which  eventually 
becomes  invested  with  a  membrane. 

8.  In  the  close  affinity  with  the  genus  Ceratium,  where  we 
trace  the  sequence  which    leads  to  what   is  morphologically  a 
mycelium   furnished  with  transverse  septa.     In    Ceratium   the 
spores  do  not  originate  by  free-cell-formation  within  a  sporan- 
gium, but  are  produced  after  the  manner  of  the  spores  of  the 
Basidiomycetes  or  the  conidia  of  the  Hyphomycetes.     The  general 
course  of  development  in  all  the  species,  so  far  as  can  be  deter- 
mined from  herbarium  specimens,  agrees  with  that  of  Ceratium 
hydnoides  as  described  by  Famintzin  and  Woronin,2  the  specific 

1  Tom.  cit.  p.  441. 

2  Mem.  Acad.  Petersburg,  XX,  No.  3  (1873). 


14  A  Monograph  of  the  Myxogastres. 

distinctions  depending  more  especially  on  the  mode  of  branching 
and  colour.  The  point  of  interest  in  the  present  connection  is  the 
mode  of  spore  formation.  Without  entering  into  details,  the  proto- 
plasm, immediately  preceding  spore  formation,  becomes  arranged 
on  the  branches  as  a  peripheral  layer  of  cells  enclosed  in  cell- 
walls,  which,  in  the  case  of  Ceratium  hydnoides,  give  a  cellulose 
reaction  when  young.  Owing  to  local  growth,  the  central  por- 
tion of  the  free  side  of  each  cell  grows  outwards  in  the  form  of  a 
slender  elongated  cylinder  until  it  measures  about  10  /tx  in 
length  by  about  3  jx  in  diameter ;  the  next  change  consists 
in  the  expansion  of  the  free  end  of  this  outgrowth  which  con- 
tinues until  it  assumes  in  C.  hydnoides,  a  broadly  elliptical  form, 
about  10x6 — 7  /*  in  size;  into  this  swollen  apical  portion  the 
whole  of  the  protoplasm  then  passes  through  the  stalk  from  the 
parent  cell,  after  which  a  transverse  septum  is  formed  in  the 
stalk-like  portion  close  up  to  its  swollen  apex,  which  eventually 
breaks  away  at  the  septum  as  a  mature  spore.  In  C.  hydnoides 
the  stalks  persist  after  the  spores  have  fallen  away,  each  closed 
at  the  apex  by  the  septum  which  formed  the  line  of  dehiscence, 
and  the  homology  with  the  formation  of  conidia  or  spores  in  the 
Basidiomycetes  is  perfect.  In  each  case  we  find  a  cell  richly 
supplied  with  protoplasm  giving  origin  by  local  growth  to  one  or 
more  thin  spine-like  processes,  each  of  which  becomes  much 
enlarged  at  its  apex ;  into  these  enlarged  portions  all  the  proto- 
plasm from  the  mother-cell  becomes  concentrated  and  retained 
by  the  formation  of  a  septum  across  the  stalk  close  to  the 
swollen  apex,  which  eventually  falls  away  at  the  septum  as  a 
ripe  spore.  The  first  appearance  of  a  transverse  septum  being 
for  the  purpose  of  isolating  a  mass  of  protoplasm  concentrated 
for  purposes  directly  concerned  with  reproduction  suggests  the 
idea,  if  nothing  more,  that  the  Myxogastres  are  in  touch  with 
other  acknowledged  members  of  the  vegetable  kingdom.  The 
remaining  species  of  Ceratium  show  the  same  mode  of  spore 
formation,  but  in  C.  arbuscula,  B.  and  Br.,  a  very  fine  much- 
branched  species,  the  thin  outgrowth  bearing  the  spore  at  its 
apex  is  much  larger  than  in  C.  hydnoides,  and  the  transverse 
septum  is  even  more  distinct,  while  in  C.filiforme,  B.  and  Br.,  the 


A  Monograph  of  the  Myocogastres.  15 

slender  stalk-like  outgrowth  measures  from  18 — 20  ft  in  length, 
and  after  having  become  inflated  at  the  apex  and  absorbing  the 
protoplasm  from  the  parent  cell,  is  cut  off  from  the  latter,  first 
by  a  septum  close  to  the  parent  cell ;  this  is  followed  by  the 
formation  of  a  second  septum  close  to  the  base  of  the  swollen 
apical  portion  or  spore. 

9.  In  the  coalescence  of  the  naked  cells  to  form  a  plasmodium 
being  the  result  of  conjugation  between  the  component  cells, 
thus  presenting  features  in  common  with  the  primitive  forms 
included  in  the  group  Zygosporeae.  The  reasons  for  the  above 
statement  are  as  follows — The  frequent  occurrence  of  forms 
intermediate  between  well-marked,  but  closely  allied  species, 
suggested  the  idea  of  hybridity,  especially  as  the  supposed 
hybrids  varied  in  their  degree  of  morphological  agreement  with 
one  or  other  of  the  two  species  between  which  they  were 
intermediate.  With  the  object  of  ascertaining  whether  hybrids 
were  formed  in  nature,  the  young  plasmodia  of  Physarum 
leucopus  and  Physarum  leucophaeum  were  so  placed  that  the 
plasmodia  of  the  two  became  blended  together  at  the  point  of 
contact;  this  experiment  resulted  in  the  formation  of  sporangia 
intermediate  between  the  two  species  from  the  blended  portion 
of  plasmodium,  whereas  sporangia  typical  of  the  two  rspecies 
respectively  were  produced  from  those  portions  of  plasmodia 
farthest  removed  from  the  point  of  contact  of  the  two  plasmodia. 
Without  entering  into  minute  specific  details,  it  will  be  suf- 
ficient to  state  that  Physarum  leucophaeum  has  a  dark-brown 
stem  and  a  thin  capillitium  with  few  knots  of  lime,  whereas 
Physarum  leucopus  has  a  white  stem  and  stout  capillitium  with 
numerous  large  knots  of  lime.  The  hybrid  has  a  white  stem 
and  a  slender  capillitium  with  few  knots  of  lime.  In  the  Kew 
herbarium  there  is  a  specimen  collected  at  Highgate  by  Dr. 
Cooke,  which  agrees  exactly  with  the  hybrid  described  above, 
and  which  appears  to  have  specially  attracted  the  attention  of 
Mr.  Arthur  Lister,  who  in  going  over  the  collection  of  Myxo- 
gastres,  made  a  careful  drawing  of  the  specimen,  adding, 
"  Physarum  leujcopbaeum  with  a  pale  stalk."  I  have  also  pro- 
duced a  hybrid  from  two  species  of  Trichia.  Mr.  Harold 


16  A  Monograph  of  the  Myxogastres. 

Wingate,  of  Philadelphia,  sent  along  with  other  Myxogastres, 
a  specimen  with  the  following  comment — 

"  No.  25.  Is  the  teratological  result  of  an  amour  between 
the  piasmodium  of  Arci/ria  punicea  and  that  of  Arcyria  cinerea. 
It  gives  a  point  as  to  the  absolute  autonomy  of  plasmodia." 

In  reply  to  further  inquiry  respecting  the  supposed  hybrid, 
Mr.  Wingate  writes,  "The  Arcyria  hybrid  is  not  doubtful. 
Two  patches  of  Arcyria,  punicea  and  cinerea,  grew  on  the  same 
log,  side  by  side ;  where  the  two  came  together  the  plasmodia 
fused  and  produced  the  result  I  sent."  The  specimen  is 
extremely  interesting,  different  individuals  varying  to  a  con- 
siderable extent  in  the  relative  resemblance  to  one  or  other 
of  the  parent  forms.  For  the  production  of  a  hybrid,  it  is 
assumed  that  conjugation — or  its  physiological  equivalent — 
had  taken  place  between  the  cells  of  the  two  parent  forms. 
The  significance  of  the  possibility  of  hybrid  forms  occurring  in 
nature  may  eventually  qualify  to  some  extent  present  ideas  as 
to  "  species." 

• 

Zopf  *  has  recently  investigated  the  Myxogastres,  more  especi- 
ally from  the  biological  side,  but  so  far  as  I  can  ascertain,  does 
not  express  himself  definitely  as  to  their  animal  or  vegetable 
nature. 

Mr.  Saville  Kent 2  espoused  De  Bary's  view  as  to  the  animal 
nature  of  the  Myxogastres,  and  suggested  their  affinity  with  the 
sponges.  The  two  principal  reasons  given  as  favouring  their 
exclusion  from  the  vegetable  kingdom  are — (1)  first  product  of 
spore  germination,  bodies  capable  of  spontaneous  movement; 
(2)  presence  of  crystals  of  lime  in  substance  of  cell-walls.  The 
first  objection  proves  nothing  at  all,  and  the  second,  if  any- 
thing, how  little  Mr.  Kent  knew  about  plant  morphology. 

Dr.  R.  Hesse  has  recently  announced  3  that  the  members  of 

1  Die  Pilzthiere  oder  Schleimpilze.    Schenck's  Haudb,  der  £ot.,  vol.  iii. 

8  A  Manual  of  the  Infiworia. 

3  Bot.  Centralbl,  xxxviii.  (1889),  pp.  518-20,  553-7. 


A  Monograph  of  the  Myxogastres.  17 

the  Tuleraceae  and  the  Elaphomycetae  originate  as  masses  of 
swarm-cells,  which  after  passing  through  various  phases,  assume 
the  well-known  ascigerous  form,  and  that  these  groups,  if  kept 
in  the  fungi  at  all,  must  be  placed  with  the  Mycetozoa.  He 
further  considers  that  the  typical  members  of  the  Hymenoyastreae 
and  the  Lycoperdeaccae  present  similar  characteristics  in  the 
earliest  condition.  If  corroborated,  the  above  statement  will 
show  how  imperfect  and  superficial  has  been  all  previous  work 
on  these  groups. 

The  following  remarks  by  Mr.  A.  Lister  are  considered  by  the 
author  as  favouring  the  animal  nature  of  the  Myxogastres ;  but 
as  usual,  the  evidence  is  afforded  entirely  by  the  vegetative 
phase,  and  consequently  still  much  in  -touch  with  their  aquatic 
progenitors,  the  Flagellatae,  whereas  the  individuality  of  the 
Myxogastres,  as  it  appears  to  me,  is  to  be  found  in  the  repro- 
ductive phase,  and  further,  the  individuality  is  obviously  due 
in  main  to  the  change  from  an  aquatic  to  an  aerial  habitat. 
In  all  probability  the  sexual  method  by  conjugation  was  the 
one  followed  by  the  aquatic  primitive  forms,  and  if  so,  we  find 
an  agreement  more  or  less  pronounced  with  the  ferns,  where 
the  prothallus,  the  sexual  organ  of  reproduction,  is  structurally 
in  touch  with  the  aquatic  forms  from  which  this  group  is 
supposed  to  have  evolved,  whereas  the  truly  aerial  spore-pro- 
ducing form  is  the  portion  that  gives  most  individuality  to  the 
ferns. 

"At  a  meeting  of  the  Linnean  Society  in  April  1889,  I 
described  the  mode  of  feeding  which  I  had  observed  in  the 
swarm-cells  of  Stemonitis  fusca.  I  have  since  been  able  to 
watch  the  same  process  in  the  swarm-cells  of  several  other 
species.  Those  of  Pcrichaena  corticalis  afforded  an  interesting 
instance,  because  of  the  great  activity  of  the  bacilli  which 
abounded  in  the  preparation,  and  as  showing  the  voracity  of  a 
few  individual  swarm-cells.'  One  was  noticed  which  already 
contained  four  vacuoles  stuffed  with  bacilli,  probably  six  to 
eight  in  each.  It  was  observed  to  throw  out  several  long 
pseudopodia  from  the  posterior  region,  to  which  active  bacilli 

became  attached.     In  the  course  of  twelve  minutes  four  were 

c 


18  A  Monograph  of  the  Myxogastres. 

seen,  under  a  Beck's  y^th  immersion  lens,  to  be  drawn  in  and 
conveyed  into  freshly  formed  vacuoles. 

"I  have  repeatedly  seen  bacteria  taken  by  swarm-cells  of 
Chondrioderma  diffbrme  in  the  manner  above  described,  and  it 
would  appear  that  bacteria  form  their  principal  food.  On  one 
occasion  I  had  a  favourable  opportunity  for  observing  the 
digestion  of  bacilli  on  account  of  the  quiescent  state  assumed 
by  a  swarm-cell,  which  remained  with  little  active  movement 
for  an  hour  and  a  half.  On  the  previous  evening  I  had  placed 
some  spores  of  CJumtlriodcrma  difforme  in  water  under  a  thin 
cover-slip ;  on  the  following  morning  swarm-cells  were  in  great 
abundance  in  the  pure  water.  I  introduced  a  drop  containing 
multitudes  of  bacilli  from  a  glass  in  which  a  piece  of  Stcreum 
hirsntiim  had  been  soaking  for  several  days.  In  a  short  time 
a  number  of  the  swarm-cells  were  seen,  attended  by  bacilli, 
some  of  which  were  attached  to  their  pseudopodia,  and  some 
were  already  enclosed  in  vacuoles.  'I'he  swarm-cell  in  question 
had  taken  an  amoeboid  form,  occasionally  producing  and  again 
withdrawing  the  cilium,  while  from  time  to  time  thin  pseudo- 
podia  were  extended  from  the  opposite  end,  but  more  frequently 
the  posterior  region  expanded  into  a  somewhat  funnel-shaped 
mouth.  Into  such  an  expansion  a  stout  bacillus,  about  2  /u  long, 
was  seen  to  enter;  in  the  course  of  a  few  seconds  it  was 
enclosed  with  a  noticeable  amount  of  water,  by  the  folding  over 
of  the  lips  of  the  funnel,  and  conveyed  into  the  body-substance ; 
a  few  minutes  after,  another  bacillus  was  taken  in,  much  in 
the  same  manner,  but  no  globule  of  water  was  introduced.  Ten 
minutes  later  a  large  bacillus,  4  p.  x  0'75  n,  was  caught  by  a 
prolongation  of  one  side  of  the  funnel,  and  in  the  course  of 
half  a  minute  a  tube-like  extension  of  protoplasmic  substance 
invested  the  bacillus,  and  it  was  drawn  in.  It  remained  for 
a  short  time  in  direct  contact  with  the  granular  matter  of  the 
body,  but  was  soon  surrounded  by  an  oval  vacuole.  The 
swarm-cell  continued  inactive  for  nearly  an  hour,  when  it 
assumed  an  extended  form,  and  shortly  after  swam  away  with 
rapid  jogging  movement.  Constant  observation  was  maintained 
during  this  hour,  and  the  bacilli  were  seen  gradually  to  dissolve 


A  Monograph  of  the  Myxogastres.  19 

in  the  vacuoles  in  which  they  lay,  until  at  length  all  trace  of 
them  had  disappeared  together  with  their  containing  vacuoles, 
and  only  the  contracting  vacuole  remained  in  the  homogeneous 
granular  substance  of  the  swarm-cell. 

"At  the  commencement  of  the  observation  this  granular 
protoplasm  was  much  more  turbid  than  at  the  close,  when  it 
was  remarkably  hyaline ;  the  swarm-cell  appeared  also  to  have 
increased  in  size,  though  it  was  difficult  to  determine  by 
measurement  in  consequence  of  its  changing  form.  No  rejec- 
tion of  refuse  matter  took  place  while  the  observation  lasted. 

"  In  the  same  preparation  I  watched  a  swarm-cell  creeping  in 
a  straight  line  with  the  strange  snail-like  movement,  so  difficult 
to  understand.  In  its  course  it  came  to  a  small  group  of  motion- 
less bacilli  lying  against  the  glass;  immediately  it  changed 
its  linear  form  and  spread  itself  out,  covering  four  of  the  bacilli. 
In  about  two  minutes  it  resumed  its  former  shape  and  movement 
and  crept  away,  carrying  off  two  of  the  bacilli  in  vacuoles. 

"  These  observations  seem  to  confirm  the  opinion  of  De  Bary, 
that  the  organisms  under  consideration  should  be  classed  among 
the  animal  rather  than  the  vegetable  kingdom,  which  led  him 
in  1858  to  adopt  the  term  Mycetozoa  in  place  of  that  of 
Myxomycetes  for  the  group.  When  a  creeping  swarm-cell  is 
watched,  with  the  projecting  cilium  placed  immediately  in 
advance  of  the  nucleus,  which  never  shifts  its  position,  and 
when,  as  in  the  last-mentioned  case,  we  note  the  manner  in 
which  the  vibrating  extremity  of  the  cilium  appeared  to  detect 
the  presence  of  the  bacilli  before  the  swarm-cell  spread  itself 
over  them ;. again,  when  we  observe  the  creeping  action  suddenly 
change,  and  raising  itself  from  the  decumbent  attitude,  with  a 
few  lashing  strokes  of  the  cilium  the  swarm-cell  releases  its 
foot-hold  and  swims  away;  and  when  to  these  remarkable 
movements  is  added  the  process  of  ingestion  which  has  been 
described;  we  cannot  but  feel  the  force  of  the  conclusion  at 
which  De  Bary  arrived,  if  indeed  a  distinct  line  of  demarcation 
between  the  two  kingdoms  can  be  said  to  exist." x 

The  brilliant  and  pure  colours  presented  by  the  plasmodia  of 

1  Notes  on  Clwndrioderma  difforme  and  other  Mycetozoa;  Ann.  Bot., 
Vol.  IV.  No.  xiv.  (May  1890),  pp.  281—298,  1  pi. 


20 


A  Monograph  of  the  Myxogastres. 


the  Myxogastres  are  very  remarkable;  their  significance  is  at 
present  unknown. 

The  following  list  of  colours  observed  is  taken  from  Mr.  A. 
Lister's  paper,  "  Notes  on  Chondrioderma  difforme  and  other 
Mycetozoa" l 


Species. 

Amaurochaete  atra 
Arcyria  cinerea  ... 

„       ferntginea 

„       incarnata 

„       nutans  (buff  variety) 

)>       nutans  (red  variety,) 

„  punicea  ... 
Badhamia  piimcea 

„        utricidaris 
Brefeldia  maxima 
Chondrioderma  difforme 

„       Michelii 

„       spuinarioides 
Clathroptychium  mujulosum 
Comatriclia  Friesiana     ... 

„  typhina  ... 
Cornuma  mttallica 
Craterium  aureum 

„       leiicocephahnn   ... 

„       vulgare  ...... 

Cribraria  argillacea 

„  aurantiaca 
Diachaea  leiwopoda 
Dictydium  cernutim 
Uidymiiim  claims 

„  dubium  ... 
(  =  D.  Listeriy  Mass.) 

„       microcarpoit, 

„       squamidositm     ... 
Enteridium  olivacewn   ... 
Ftdigo  varians     ... 
HemUircyi-ia  mibiformis 
Lamproderma  iridea  (Cke.) 
Lycogala  epidendmm 
Phyaarum  compression  ... 

„        leucopluieum 

„       leucojnts 
Reticularia  lycoperdon   ... 
Si>umaria  alba     ... 
Stemonitis  femtginea     .  .  . 


. 

Tilmadoclie  mutabilis 
7V/  liia  ajfinis 
„       fallax 
oario 


Colour  of  Plasmodium. 
yellowish  white, 
greyish  white, 
rose, 
white, 
white, 
white, 
white. 

greyish  white, 
orange  yellow, 
pure  white. 

white  to  orange  yellow. 
opaque  white, 
watery  white, 
rose. 

watery  white, 
watery  white, 
colourless, 
lemon  yellow, 
yellow, 
yellow. 

lead-coloured  in  rising  sporangia, 
sap  green, 
white. 

purple  in  rising  sporangia, 
grey, 
colourless. 

brownish  grey. 

watery  white. 

rose. 

yellow. 

purple  in  rising  sporangia. 

colourless. 

rose. 

greyish  whit-\ 

watery  white  to  greenish. 

opaque  white. 

white. 

white. 

lemon  yellow. 

white. 

yellow. 

pure  white. 

white  and  rose. 

white. 


1  Ann.  Bot,  Vol.  IV.  No.  xiv.  (1890). 


A  Monograph  of  the  Myxogastres.  21 

The  plasmodiutn  of  most  species  inhabiting  dead  leaves  is 
discoloured  by  foreign  matter  before  the  change  to  sporangia 
takes  place. 

The  foregoing  remarks  may  be  summarized  as  follows — 

1.  The  Myxogastres,  as  stated  by  De  Bary,  appear  to  have 
originated   from  a  primitive  group   of  aquatic  organisms,  the 
Flaydlatae. 

2.  The  sequence  of  differentiation  which  gives  individuality 
to  the  group,  is  almost  entirely  confined  to  the  reproductive 
phase,   and   follows   in   many   important   points,   the   lines   of 
development  observable  in  the  Fungi. 

3.  The  subordinate  position  occupied  by  the  Fungi  and  the 
Myxogastres  in  the  general  evolution  of  the  vegetable  kingdom 
may  be  traced  to  the  absence  of  chromatophores.     The  lichen- 
forming  fungi   have  succeeded  in  correcting  this   fundamental 
omission  in  an  indirect  manner. 

4.  There  is  no  evidence  in  favour  of  the  supposition  that  the 
Myxogastres  are  degenerated  members  of  the  vegetable  kingdom, 
whereas  the  idea  that  fungi  originated  by  differentiation  from 
chlorophyll-bearing  plant  ancestors  is  generally  admitted. 

5.  The    Myxogastres   with   allied    forms   included    by    Zopf 
differ  from  all  known  members  of  the  vegetable  kingdom  in 
having  the  component  cells  naked,  or  without  a  cell-wall,  during 
the  entire  vegetative  phase. 

CLASSIFICATION. 

In  addition  to  the  Myxogastres  as  defined  in  the  present 
work,  other  smaller  groups,  as  the  Acrasieae  of  Van  Tieghem ; 
the  Monadineae  of  Cienkowski,  &c.,  are  supposed  to  possess 
certain  important  characters  in  common  with  the  Myxogastres, 
and  have  been  by  some  authors  united  into  one  group. 

The  following  outlines  of  the  various  schemes  of  classification 
will  indicate  the  views  of  affinity  as  proposed  from  time  to  time. 

The  term  Mycetozoa  as  already  explained,  was  first  used  by 
De  Bary,1  and  in  his  latest  work  on  the  subject  this  name  is 
retained  as  follows  : — 

1  Die  Mycetozocn,  Zeitschriftf,  wiss.  Zoologie,  Bd.  x.  1859. 


22  A  Monograph  of  the  Myxogastres. 

MYCETOZOA. 


I  i 

Swarm-cells  coalescing  to  Swarm-cells  becoming 

form  a  plasmodium.  aggregated,  but  not 

=  MYXOMYCETES.  coalescing  to  form  a 

plasmodium. 
—  ACRASIEAB. 

Cienkowski's  Nuclcariae  and  Vampyrellae  along  with  such 
genera  as  Bursella,  Protomyxa,  Myxastrum,  Manas,  Monadop.us, 
Pseudospora,  Colpodella,  and  Plasmodiophora  are  considered  by 
De  Bary  as  "  doubtful  Mycetozoa  "  for  the  following  reasons.  "  I 
here  exclude  from  the  ranks  of  the  true  Mycetozoa  a  few  forms 
or  groups  of  forms,  some  of  which  have  been  occasionally 
mentioned  in  the  preceding  sections.  Those  forms,  so  far  as 
they  are  known,  have  many  points  of  resemblance  with  the 
Mycetozoa,  but  either  our  knowledge  of  them  is  imperfect,  or 
else  they  depart  so  far  in  certain  points  from  the  typical 
Myxomycetes  and  Acrasieae,  that  it  is  better  to  leave  their 
position  in  the  system  for  the  present  undetermined."  l 

Although  De  Bary  clearly  indicated  that  the  existing  classifi- 
cation of  the  Mycetozoa  was  very  imperfect,  being  the  outcome 
of  pocket-lens  observations  on  mature  forms,  and  as  above 
indicated,  pointed  out  a  scheme  in  accordance  with  the  modern 
system  of  research,  yet,  lacking  time,  he  never  completed  all 
the  details  necessary  for  a  thorough  revision  of  the  group.  This 
was  done  however  by  Dr.  Rostafinski,  a  student  of  De  Bary's, 
and  as  at  least  some  of  Rostafinski's  important  work  on  this 
subject  was  done  by  Rostafinski  in  De  Bary's  laboratory  at 
Strassburg,  we  may  presume  that  the  general  scheme  was  more 
or  less  inspired  by  De  Bary. 

Rostafinski  confined  his  attention  to  the  group  Myxomycetes 
as  defined  by  De  Bary,  and  this  group  he  calls  Mycetozoa,  thus 
using  the  same  name  in  a  narrower  sense  than  De  Bary,  who 
included  the  Acrasieae  that  do  not  form  a  plasmodium,  and  in 
his  Monograph  2  recognized  two  primary  divisions — EXOSPOIIEAH, 

1  fiiinji  Mycetozoa  u>ul  Bacteria,  Engl.  ed.,  p.  446. 

2  Monyrajia  tilvzoivce,  Paris,  1875  (in  PolUh). 


A  Monograph  of  the  Myxogastres.  23 

having  the  spores  produced  externally  on  slender  sporophores,  a 
feature  met  with  only  in  the  genus  Ceratium ;  and  ENDOSPCtoEAE, 
having  the  spores  produced  in  sporangia.  In  the  second 
"  Appendix "  to  the  Monograph,  amongst  other  changes  in  the 
classification,  the  EXOSPOREAE  division  is  omitted  altogether, 
and  the  Endosporous  division  alone  retained.  In  Rostafinski's 
classification  the  two  primary  divisions  are  founded  on  the 
colour  of  the  spores  as  seen  under  the  microscope  by  transmitted 
light ;  each  primary  division  is  further  divided  into  two  sections 
determined  by  the  presence  or  absence  of  a  capillitium  as 
shown  in  the  following  arrangement — 

MYCETOZOA. 

ENDOSPOREAE. 


AMAUROSPOREAE.  LAMPROSPOREAE. 

Spores  violet  or  brownish-  Spores  yellow  or  brownish, 

violet.  never  violet. 


ATRICHAE.      TRICHOPHORAE.  ATRICHAE.      TRICHOPHORAE. 

Von  Tieghen  uses  the  name  Myxow^cetes  in  a  broader  sense 
than  De  Bary's  Mycetozoa,  and  arranges  the  groups  as  follows: — l 

MYXOMYCETES. 
THALLUS. 


Unicellular.  Plnricellular. 

without  a  plasmodium. 


=  PLASMODIOPHOREAE. 


J 

Cells  fusing  to  form 
a  plasmodium. 


cells  aggregated  but  not  fusing 

to  form  a  plasmodium. 

=  ACRASIEAE. 


Spores  produced  in  Spores  produced  externally. 

a  sporangium.  =CERATIEAE. 

=  ENDOMYXEAE. 

1  Traite  de  Botanique,  p.  992  (1884). 


24  A  Monograph  of  the  Myxogastres. 

Zopf  s  Mycetozoa  include  many  forms  that  do  not  corne  within 
De  Bary's  conception  of  the  Mycetozoa  as  already  defined.  The 
following  illustrates  the  primary  divisions  as  adopted  in  his 
latest  work.1 

A.  MONADINEAE. 

Mostly  aquatic,  partly  parasites ;  resting  cysts  are  usually 
formed. 

I.  Monadineac  azoosporcae. 
Vampyrelleae  ;  Bursellineae  ;  Monocystaccae. 

II.  Monadincae  zoosporeae. 
Pseudosporeae ;  Gymnococcaceae ;  Plasmodiophoreae. 

B.  EUMYCETOZOA. 

Aerial.  Never  parasites ;  plasmodia  always  present,  generally 
well  developed  ;  fructification  generally  well  developed. 

I.  SOROPHOREAE. 

Guttulincae  ;  Didyosteliaceae. 

II.  ENDOSPOREAE. 

a.  Peritricheae. 

Clathroptychidccac ;  Cribrariaccae. 

/3.  Endotricheae. 
*  Stcreonemcae. 
Calcariaceae  ;  AmaurocJiaetaceae. 

*  *  Caloncmeae. 

Trichiaccae ;  Arcyriaceae ;  Rcticidariaccac  ;  Liccaceae  ;  Pcri- 
chaenaccae. 

III.  EXOSPOREAE. 

In  Raunkier's  Myxomycdes  Daniae2  the  following  classification 
is  proposed— 

1  Die    Pilzthiere  oder  Sclileinipike  (Schenk's  Haiulbiich   der  BotanUt, 
ill  Encyld.  der  Natunvissciusc}Mftcn\  1884. 

2  Botanisk  Tiddskript,  17  Bind.  (1888). 


A  Monograph  of  the  Myxogastres.  25 

A.  Capillitiura  absent. 

I.   HOMODERMEAE. 

Liceaceae.     (Tululina,  Lindlladia.) 
II.  HETERODERMEAE. 

Clathroptychaceae.     (Enteridium,  ClathroptycMum^ 
Gribrariaceae.     (Cribraria,  Dictydium.) 

B.  Capillitium  present. 

III.  CCELONEMEAE. 

Arcyriaceae.     (Perichaena,    Laclmobolus,    Arcyria,    Cor- 

nuvia,  Lycogala.} 
Trichiaceae.     (Hemiarcyna,  Trichia.") 

IV.  STEREONEMEAE. 

Physaraceae.     (Badhamia,  Physarum,  Tilmadoche,  Fuligo, 

Leocarpus,  Craterium.} 
Didymiaceae.     (Chondrioderma,  Lepidoderma,  Didynmim, 

Spumaria.} 

Stemonitaceae.      (I/amproderma,   Enerthenema,   Ancyro- 
phorus,  Comatricha,  Stemonitis,  Brefeldia,  Reticularia.') 
The  Myxomycetes  are  divided  by  Scliroter1  into  three  prin- 
cipal groups  as  follows — 

A.  Mature  fructification  consisting  of  a  mass  of  free  spores. 
*  Saprophytes;  the  amoeboid  bodies  unite  in  masses,  but 

do  not  coalesce  =  ACRASIEAE. 

*  *  Parasitic    in   the   interior   of    living   cells,   forming    in 
the   known  instances,  a   true  plasmodium  =  PHYTO- 

MYXINEAE. 

B.  Spores  formed   in  the  interior  of  sporangia,  or  on  the 

outside  of  discoid  or  columnar  fructifications  =  MYXO- 
GASTRES. 

At  the  close  of  the  vegetable  period,  the  passage  of  the  motile 
plasmodium  into  the  stationary  reproductive  condition  is  abrupt, 
anc1  takes  place  as  follows;  the  surface  of  the  plasmodium 
becomes  elevated  into  one  or  usually  many  protuberances,  the 
original  investment  of  the  plasmodium  is  continuous  over  these 

1  Englor  u.  Prantls'  Naturl.  Pflanzenfam.,  36  Leif.,  von  Y.  Schroter,  1889. 


26  A  Monograph  of  the  Myxogastres. 

protuberances  into  which  the  whole  of  the  protoplasm  passes, 
leaving  behind  the  remainder  of  its  pellicle  attached  to  the 
substratum,  and  known  as  the  hypotliallus.  When  these 
protuberances,  which  may  be  sessile  or  stipitate,  are  symmetrical 
and  individually  distinct,  they  are  called  sporangia;  when 
sporangia  are  irregular  in  form,  usually  veinlike  and  creeping, 
the  term  plasmodiocarp  is  used ;  finally,  when  the  sporangia  are 
densely  aggregated,  so  that  their  individuality  disappears  to  a 
greater  or  less  extent,  an  aethlium  is  produced.  The  three 
conditions  are  connected  by  intermediate  links.  Aethalia  are 
most  frequently  sessile  on  a  broad  base,  as  in  Tiibulina  cylindrica 
and  Enteridivm  olivaccum,  but  stipitate  aethalia  are  not  un- 
common, especially  in  the  Trichiaceae,  where  the  transition  from 
typical  sporangia  to  aethalioid  forms  in  many  species  is  very 
instructive. 

As  previously  stated,  the  late  Professor  De  Bary  was  the 
first  to  show,  by  his  admirable  researches  on  the  morphology 
and  physiology  of  the  Myxogastres,  that  the  systematic  arrange- 
ment then  in  vogue  was  no  longer  tenable,  owing  to  the  fact 
that  it  was  founded  on  analogies  rather  than  affinities;  and 
although  at  the  present  day  it  must  be  admitted  that,  within 
the  group,  affinities  are  far  from  being  settled,  yet,  the  appear- 
ance of  Dr.  Rostafinski's  Monograph  based  on  De  Bary's  re- 
searches, gave  a  fresh  impetus  to  the  study,  and  showed  in  a 
masterly  manner,  that  well-marked  morphological  features,  far 
beyond  the  ken  of  pocket-lens  revelation,  could  be  utilized  in 
connection  with  the  systematic  disposition  of  the  members  of 
the  group.  Among  the  essentials  still  lacking  for  an  approxi- 
mately correct  classification  are  more  especially — amount  of 
variability,  as  also  its  direction  in  the  various  sections ;  the 
relative  value  of  such  structures  as  the  columella,  capillitium, 
sporangial,  aethalioid  and  plasmodiocarp  forms;  the  presence  or 
absence  of  lime,  as  also  its  amorphous  and  crystalline  condition 
as  presented  in  different  sections ;  and  finally,  what  is  undoubt- 
edly of  primary  importance,  a  complete  knowledge  of  the  life- 
history  of  at  least  the  representative  species  of  each  section  ;  and 
although  complete  life-histories  might  not  in  all  cases  be 


A  Monograph  of  the  Myxogastres.  27 

possible,  yet  in  so  difficult  a  subject,  the  modus  operandi  alone 
would  enable  others  to  follow  along  the  same  lines.  In  the 
present  state  of  knowledge,  the  markings  usually  present  on  the 
epispore  appear  to  be  constant  within  narrow  limits,  are  often 
very  characteristic,  and  of  value  as  one  factor  in  the  discrimina- 
tion of  what  we  at  present  consider  to  be  species,  nevertheless  I 
wish  to  express  the  strongest  dissent  to  species  founded  on  spore 
characters  alone,  or  indeed  on  any  one,  character.  Rostafinski 
was  the  first  to  use  spore  characters  in  a  specific  sense.  It  is 
important  to  bear  in  mind,  that  the  apparent  nature  of  spore 
ornamentation  depends  entirely  on  the  amount  of  magnifying 
power  used;  the  complex  epispore  of  Trichia  affinis  appears 
only  as  a  confused  series  of  minute  irregular  projections  under  a 
quarter-inch  objective,  consequently  there  is  no  absolute  char- 
acter in  the  spore  unless  a  uniform  magnifying  power  is  agreed 
upon.  The  objective  used  in  determining  the  nature  of  the 
epispore  as  described  in  the  present  work  is  a  TV  oil  immersion, 
which  gives  a  magnifying  power  of  1200  diameters.  So  far  as 
the  synonymy  is  concerned,  I  can  only  repeat  in  substance  what 
I  have  written  on  a  previous  occasion  in  connection  with  the 
same  subject.  I  have  not  included  the  synonymy  further  back 
than  Rostafinski' s  Monograph,  unless  justified  by  the  presence 
of  type  or  authentic  specimens.  Rostafinski  has  given  syno- 
nyms dating  from  the  time  of  Micheli  (1729),  but  on  referring 
to  the  earlier  descriptions,  I  realize  my  weakness,  in  not  being 
able  to  reconcile  the  wonderfully  brief  descriptions,  and  equally 
crude  drawings,  with  modern  species,  which  in  many  instances 
require  a  magnifying  power  of  1000  diameters  for  their  deter- 
mination, hence  I  wish  to  be  clearly  understood  that  the 
synonyms  headed  "  Rostafinski's  Synonyms,"  are  copied  from 
Rostafinski's  Monograph  without  any  attempt  at  corroboration. 
I  feel  certain  that  nearly  one-third  of  Rostafinski's  work  would 
not  have  been  sacrificed  to  synonyms  unless  they  mean  some- 
thing more  than  I  have  been  able  to  discover,  hence  I  have  not 
felt  justified  in  ignoring  them  altogether. 


28  A  Monograph  of  the  Myxogastres. 

MYXOGASTRES   (FRIES). 

MYXOGASTRES,  Fries,  Syst.  Myc.,  iii.  p.  67  (1829) ;  Schroeter, 
Kr.  Fl.  Schles.,  Vol.  iii.  p.  98. 

MYXOMYCETES,  Wallr.,  Fl.  Crypt.,  ii.  p.  333  (1833) ;  Cooke, 
Brit.  Myx.,  p.  1 ;  Raunk,  Myx.  Dau.,  p.  20 ;  Sacc.,  Syll.,  Vol.  vii. 
pt.  i.  p.  323. 

MYCETOZOA,  De  Bary  (Die  Mycetozocn,  1864);  Rost.  (Mon. 
Sluzowce)  (in  part). 

PILZTHIERE,  Zopf,  in  Schenk's  Handb.  der  Hot.,  Vol.  iii. 
(1884)  (in  part). 

Consisting  during  the  entire  vegetative  period  of  an  accumula- 
tion of  naked  cells  forming  a  plasmodiiim  possessed  of  the  power 
of  movement,  and  invested  with  an  imperfectly  differentiated, 
yielding  membrane.  This  plasmodium  at  length  becomes  trans- 
formed into  sporangia  containing  numerous  spores  which  form 
a  powdery  mass  at  maturity.  First  product  of  spores  on 
germination  either  ciliated  zoosporcs  or  amoeboid  cells,  which 
after  repeated  bipartition  and  conjugation,  combine  to  form  a 
plasmodium. 

The  species  are  usually  aerial,  the  plasmodium  stage  being 
passed  in  rotten  wood  or  amongst  decaying  vegetable  matter, 
and  coming  to  the  surface  only  to  form  the  sporangia ;  never- 
theless several  species  have  been  observed  to  pass  the  whole  of 
their  existence  under  water.  The  sequence  from  the  aquatic  to 
the  aerial  condition  may  frequently  be  seen  in  the  same  batch 
when  developing  on  logs  that  are  partly  submerged. 

The  most  pronounced  feature  in  the  evolution  of  the  Myxo- 
gastres is  in  connection  with  spore  dissemination,  and  the 
following  arrangement  is  based  on  the  relative  development  of 
the  capillitium,  which  is  seen  in  its  most  perfect  form  in  the  genera 
Trichia  and  Arcyria.  In  the  Gastromycetes  I  have  shown  else- 
where J  that  the  sequence  of  evolution  all  tends  towards  securing 
in  the  most  efficient  manner,  the  dissemination  of  the  spores ; 
commencing  with  the  subterranean  genera  Rhizopogon  and 

1  A  Monograph  of  the  British  Gastromycetes.  Ann  Bot.,  Vol.  iv.  pp. 
1—103  (4  plates). 


A  Monograph  of  the  Myxogastres.  29 

Hymcnogaster,  where  the  spores  are  liberated  only  by  the  decay 
of  the  plant  without  any  apparent  morphological  pro  vision's,  for 
their  dispersion,  we  trace,  as  the  above  ground  genera  appear, 
the  gradual  evolution  of  the  capillitium  through  such  genera  as 
Diploderma  and  Sderoderma,  until  in  Lycoperdon  we  find  the 
highly  specialized  hyphae  forming  the  capillitium  effecting  at 
maturity  the  rupture  of  the  peridium,  and  consequent  disper- 
sion of  the  spores.  This  phase  is  the  most  perfect,  so  long  as 
dispersion  is  effected  by  mechanical  methods,  but  in  the  Phal- 
loideae  we  find  the  mechanical  method  superseded  by  a  totally 
different  idea ;  brilliant  colours,  usually  combined  with  a  strong 
odour,  and  the  presence  of  a  sweet  substance,  bid  for  the  visits 
of  insects,  which  in  return  disperse  the  spores.-  In  the  Myxo- 
gastres the  mechanical  method  of  spore  dispersion  is  the  most 
perfect  condition  attained,  as  illustrated  by  the  rough,  elastic 
capillitium  of  many  species  of  Arcyria.  The  above  allusion 
must  not  be  interpreted  as  implying  relationship  between  the 
Gastromycetes  and  the  Myxogastres ;  in  fact  I  see  in  this  point 
of  agreement  no  more  proof  of  affinity  than  exists  between  the 
Phalloideae  and  those  flowering  plants  that  make  use  of  the 
same  announcements  to  insects,  in  the  form  of  colour,  scent,  and 
honey  in  connection  with  pollination.  I  consider  the  Myxogas- 
tres as  illustrating  one  of  the  earliest  known  attempts  at 
differentiation  in  the  direction  that  has  eventually  resulted  in 
the  mass  of  organisms  constituting  the  vegetable  kingdom,  but 
having  originated  from  the  Flagellatae,  a  group  more  in  touch 
with  the  animal  side  of  life,  the  work  of  developing  individuality 
has  been  slow,  as  illustrated  by  the  tardy  appearance  of  cellu- 
lose cell-walls,  which,  as  would  be  expected,  is  most  complete  in 
the  newly  evolved  reproductive  phase,  itself  to  a  great  extent 
the  outcome  of  a  gradual  change  of  environment  from  aquatic  to 
aerial — but  the  radical  mistake,  after  having  adopted  the  plant 
line  of  development,  consisted  in  the  non-development  of  chro- 
matophores,  and  retention  of  the  animal  mode  of  nutrition, 
which  in  the  plant  world  means  parasite  or  saprophyte.  The 
fungi,  a  later  group,  differentiated  from  ancestors  that  had 
already  evolved  the  leading  plant  characteristics,  including  cell- 


30  A  Monograph  of  the  Myxogastres. 

walls,  chlorophyll,  starch,  hence  in  this  respect  are  more  typical 
plants  than  the  Myxogastres ;  but  in  the  fungi  the  check  to  pro- 
gress was  due  to  the  degeneration  of  chromatophores,  already 
evolved  by  their  ancestors,  whereas  in  the  Myxogastres  the 
check  was  due  to  their  inability  to  differentiate  these  essentials. 

MYXOGASTRES. 

Order.    PERITRICHEAE. 

Wall  of  sporangium  not  incrusted  with  lime;  capillitium 
absent  or  formed  from  wall  of  sporangium. 

Sub-Order.     Tulmlinae.     Wall  of  sporangium  not  perforated. 
Sub-Order.     Cribrariae.     Wall  of  sporangium  perforated. 

Order.    COLUMELLIFEUAE. 

Wall  of  sporangium  without  lime ;  capillitium  originating 
from  a  central,  usually  elongated  columella. 

Sub-Order.  Stcmonitac.  Capillitium  springing  from  every 
part  of  an  elongated  columella. 

Sub-Order.  Lamprodemnae,.  Capillitium  springing  from  the 
apical  portion  of  a  short  or  elongated  columella. 

Order.    LITHODERMEAE. 

Wall  of  sporangium  with  an  external  deposit  of  lime; 
capillitium  present.  » 

Sub-Order.     Didymeae.    Threads  of  capillitium  without  lime. 
Sub-Order.     Physarae.     Capillitium  containing  lime. 

Order.    CALOTRICHEAE. 

Wall  of  sporangium  without  an  external  deposit  of  lime ; 
capillitium  present,  not  springing  from  a  columella. 

Sub-Order.  Ti'ickcac.  Threads  of  capillitium  free,  simple  or 
branched,  not  anastomosing  to  form  a  network. 

Sub-Order.  Arcyriae.  Threads  of  capillitium  either  attached 
by  one  end  with  the  free  tips  more  or  less  branched,  or  combined 
to  form  an  irregular  network. 

The  following  diagrammatic  arrangement  is  an  attempt  to 
illustrate  my  ideas  of  relationship  between  the  several  orders. 

The  bracketed  generic  names  represent  the  points  of  contact 


A  Monograph  of  the  Myxogastres. 


31 


between  respective  orders,  and  the  names  in  italics  to  the  right 
and  left  indicate  those  genera  that  illustrate  the  maximum 
of  development  characteristic  of  the  orders  to  which  they  are 
respectively  attached. 


Chondrioderma. 


Badhamia. 


.  .LlTHODERMEAE 


Stcnumitis. 
I 


/     Diachaea.     \ 
\  Lamproderma.  / 


COLUMELLIFERAE 


JZnerthonema. 


Cribraria. 


;Siphotyehium.\ 
Tubulina.     ) 


.PERITRICHEAE._. 


Dictydium. 


Trichia. 


/  Clathroptychium. ' 
\       Perichaena. 


CALOTKICHEAE  _ 


Arcyria. 


In  each  order  we  find  the  special  characteristic  idea  evolving 
through  a  sequence  of  genera,  the  terminal  one  not  connecting 
with  any  higher  order,  hence  the  special  feature  terminates 
abruptly  within  the  order  where  it  originated,  and  it  is  invari- 
ably in  some  comparatively  undifferentiated  genus  near  the 
initial  point  of  each  order  that  we  meet  with  the  suggestion  of 
a  new  line  of  evolution,  which  at  its  maximum  of  development, 
constitutes  the  characteristic  feature  of  the  order  immediately 


32  A  Monograph  of  the  Myxogastres. 

in  advance  of  the  one  from  which  it  emanated  in  an  incipient 
condition;  hence  in  the  Peritricheae,  starting  with  the  genus 
Tubulina,  the  marked  characteristic  of  the  order — a  perforated 
sporangial  wall — evolves  gradually  through  Protodermium  to 
Dictydium,  where  it  attains  its  highest  phase  of  development, 
and  then  terminates  abruptly ;  whereas  in  Enteridium,  a  com- 
paratively primitive  genus,  we  get  a  transition  from  slightly 
perforated  walls  to  a  complete  breaking  up  of  their  substance 
into  an  irregular  network,  which  leads  by  degrees  to  the  central 
columella  and  capillitium  characteristic  of  the  Columclliferae. 

PERITRICHEAE. 

The  present  order  includes  the  most  primitive  types  met  with 
in  the  Myxogastres,  illustrated  by  such  genera  as  Tubulina,  of 
which  the  plasmodiocarp  condition,  representing  a  plasmodium 
covered  by  a  common  cortex,  is  the  lowest  phase ;  when  the 
substance  of  the  plasmodiocarp  becomes  broken  up  into  smaller 
portions  by  special  walls,  an  aethalium  is  produced,  and  finally, 
by  the  gradual  isolation  of  the  components  of  an  aethalium  we 
get  the  sporangium  or  most  highly  specialized  form  of  repro- 
ductive organ,  characteristic  of  the  higher  sections;  but  we 
everywhere  meet  with  plasmodiocarp  and  aethalioid  conditions, 
proving  the  comparative  instability  of  the  acquired  sporangial 
phase.  In  the  present  order  we  learn  that  the  primitive  idea 
in  connection  with  spore  dissemination  was  that  of  modifying, 
or  rather  differentiating,  the  sporangial  wall.  The  original 
function  of  the  wall  was  protective,  as  illustrated  in  the  genus 
Tulnlina,  where  we  find  this  to  be  its  only  function,  there  being 
no  provision  for  spore  diffusion  other  than  that  brought  about 
by  the  decay  of  the  wall,  which  does  not  take  place  readily,  and 
the  subsequent  dispersion  of  the  spores  by  wind  or  rain. 
Passing  on  to  such  genera  as  Enteridium  and  Clathroptychium, 
we  find  the  sporangial  wall  yet  performing,  as  it  continues  to 
do  in  every  section,  the  function  of  protection,  and  remaining 
intact  until  the  spores  are  fully  differentiated;  but  in  these 
genera  certain  portions  of  the  wall  have  become  specially 


A  Monograph  of  the  Myxogastres.  33 

thickened,  and  at  the  period  of  maturity,  the  thickened  portions 
are  persistent,  while  the  remaining  portions  of  the  wall  dis- 
appear, and  as  tins  thickening  is  usually  of.  a  determinate 
nature,  and  utilized  as  a  generic  factor,  we  meet  with  the  small, 
fairly  regular  openings  in  the  lateral  walls  presented  by  one  of 
the  members  of  the  genus  Enteridium,  or  the  still  larger 
openings  of  Clathroptychium ;  but,  although  the  modification  is  a 
step  in  the  right  direction,  owing  to  the  fact  that  the  species 
constituting  the  two  genera  named  retain  the  aethalioid  con- 
dition, the  new  idea  is  of  but  little  practical  value ;  and  it  is  only 
when  we  come  to  Cribraria,  the  components  of  Avhich  for  the 
most  part  have  reached  the  condition  of  forming  small  detached 
plasmodia,  each  only  sufficiently  large  to  form  a  single  spor- 
angium, that  we  realize  the  value  of  the  perforated  sporangial 
wall,  which,  other  things  being  equal,  is  better  than  the  sealed 
up,  entire  sporangium,  inasmuch  as  at  the  moment  the  spores 
are  mature,  there  is  a  chance  of  being  removed  from  the 
sporangium  by  wind  or  rain ;  but  in  Cribraria  the  stem,  although 
usually  elongated,  is  rigid,  and  it  is  in  the  genus  Didydium  that 
arrangements  for  spore  diffusion  from  a  perforated  sporangium 
is  most  perfect.  .In  this  genus  the  thickened,  permanent 
portions  of  the  sporangium  are  arranged  in  the  form  of  ribs 
radiating  from  the  base  and  converging  again  at  the  apex,  being 
connected  by  very  thin,  transverse  bars,  forming  a  hollow  sphere 
of  lattice- work  ;  this  globe  is  pendulous  from  a  long  stem  curved 
at  the  apex,  and  while  the  stem  is  rigid  during  the  young 
condition,  towards  maturity  the  upper  portion  above  the  curve 
becomes  shrivelled  and  flaccid,  and  the  sporangium  hangs  in 
a  condition  ready  to  be  dangled  by  the  wind  or  the  movements 
of  minute  insects ;  how  effectual  this  method  of  spore  diffusion 
is  in  its  way  is  proved  by  the  specimens  being  generally  found 
destitute  of  spores.  In  Enteridium,  as  already  mentioned,  we 
find  in  one  species  the  wall  symmetrically  perforated,  whereas 
another  species  has  the  walls  of  the  component  sporangia 
forming  the  aethalium  so  irregularly  perforated,  and  forming  a 
variable  network,  that  at  first  sight  the  aethalioid  nature  of  the 
mass  is  masked,  and  this  species  may  be  considered  as  forming 


34  'A  Monograph  of  the  Myxogastres. 

a  connecting  link  with  another  order,  the  Columellifeme,  where 
the  capillitium  originates  in  a  totally  different  manner.  The 
following  arrangement  illustrates  the  evolution  of  the  genera 
included  in  the  Peritricheae,  and  the  points  of  affinity  with  other 
orders— 


DICTYDIOM. 


o 
CRIBRARIA.  >• 


~ 

CLATHROPTYCHIUM.  -  w  <-* 

t>  o 


ENTERIDIW— TUBULINA.— Protodermium. 


PERITRICHEAE. 
(British  genera  are  printed  in  SMALL  CAPITALS,  exotic  genera  in  italics.) 

ANALYSIS   OF  THE   GENERA. 
PERITRICHEAE. 

Sub-sect.     TUBULINAE. 

TUBULINA.     Sporangia  crowded  to  form  an  aethalium. 
Protodermium.     Sporangia  scattered. 

Sub-sect.    CRIBRARIAE. 

Orcadella.  _  Sporangia  perforated  at  the  apex. 

ENTERIDIUM.  Sporangia  with  small  lateral  perforations,  or 
broken  up  into  an  irregular  network. 

CLATHROPTYCHIUM.  Sporangia  with  large  symmetrical  open- 
ings in  side  walls,  apices  of  sporangia  permanent. 

CRIBRARIA.  Permanent  portions  of  upper  part,  or  whole 
of  sporangium  forming  an  irregular  network. 

DlCTYDlUM.  Permanent  ribs  of  sporangium  radiating  from 
the  calyculus  and  converging  towards  the  apex,  joined  by 
thinner  transverse  bars. 


Tubidina.  35 


Sub-sect.  TUBULINAE. 

TUBULINA,  Pers.  (emended). 

Sporangia  scattered  and  regular,  or  irregular  and  forming  a 
plasmodiocarp,  or  compacted  together  to  form  a  naked  or  corti- 
cated aethalium  ;  walls  very  thin,  single,  often  iridescent,  not 
perforated;  columella  and-capillitium  absent. 

Tululina,  Persoon,  Syn.  Fung.,  p.  197  ;  Host.,  Mon.,  p.  219 ; 
Cooke,  Myx.  Brit.,  p.  54 ;  Sacc.,  Syll.,  Vol.  vii.  p.  406  ;  Schroeter, 
p.  102;  Zopf,  p.  172  f.  Licea,  Schrader,  Nov.  PL  gen.,  p.  17  ;  Rost., 
Mon.,  p.  218;  Schroeter,  p.  102  ;  Zopf,  p.  171 ;  Sacc.,  Syll.,  Vol. 
vii.  p.  404 ;  Cooke,  Brit.  Myx.,  p.  54.  LindUadia,  Fries,  Summ. 
Veg.  Scand.,  p.  449;  Rost.,  Mon.,  p.  223 ;  Cooke,  Myx.  Brit.,  p. 
55 ;  Sacc.,  Syll.,  Vol.  vii.  p.  408 ;  Zopf,  172. 

A  careful  examination  of  ample  material  has  convinced  me 
that  the  three  genera  given  above  constitute  but  one  natural 
genus,  and  Tulmlina,  having  priority,  has  been  adopted.  The 
structure  and  origin  of  an  aethalium  being  unknown  to  the  old 
mycologists,  explains  the  origin  of  these  genera;  but  it  is 
remarkable  that  Rostafinski,  who  so  lucidly  explains  the  origin 
and  value  of  aethalia,  did  not  notice  the  sequence  so  clearly 
stated  in  his  own  diagnoses  of  the  three  genera,  which  he 
retains.  In  all  three  the  sporangial  walls  agree  in  being 
membranaceous  and  not. perforated;  Licea  has  the  sporangia 
regular,  as  in  L.  minima,  Fr.,  or  irregular  and  forming  a 
plasmodiocarp,  as  in  L.  flexuosa,  Pers. ;  in  Tubidina  the  sporangia 
are  cylindrical  or  prismatic  from  mutual  pressure,  and  combined 
to  form  a  naked  aethalium ;  while  in  Lindbladia,  the  sporangia 
also  form  a  naked  aethalium,  but  although  prismatic,  as  in 
T'ubulina,  are  not  quite  so  much  elongated ;  finally,  the  species 
described  as  Licea  spumarioides,  Cke.  and  Mass.,  belongs  to  one 
of  the  trio,  but  differs  from  all  in  having  the  sporangia  flexuous, 
and  in  the  aethalium  being  covered  with  a  common  cortex.  If 
Rostafinski's  view  as  to  the  autonomy  of  the  three  genera  in 
question  is  correct,  it  follows  that  the  aethalioid  condition  of 
such  species  as  Hemiarcyria  ruMformis,  Rost.,  must  not  only 
be  separated  from  the  form  with  simple,  normal  sporangia, 


36  A  Monograph  of  the  Myocogastres. 

but  must  constitute  a  new  genus,  which  exactly  illustrates 
the  difference  between  Licea  and  Lindbladia  or  Tubulina 
respectively ;  whereas  the  only  distinction  given  by  Rostafinski 
between  Tubulina  and  Lindbladia  amounts  to  saying  that  in  the 
former  the  sporangia  are  elongated ;  in  the  latter,  shorter. 

A  well-defined  hypothallus  is  often  present,  and  in  some 
species,  as  T.  stipitata,  B.  and  C.,  forms  an  elongated,  stem-like 
structure  which  possibly  consists  of  sterile,  modified  sporangia. 

Dr.  Geo.  A.  Rex  has  kindly  furnished  me  with  a  sequence  of 
specimens,  all  belonging  to  Tubulina  cylindrica  as  defi ried  in  the 
present  work,  which  to  my  mind  show  clearly  the  transition 
from  Tululina  to  Siphoptychium,  and  thus  furnishing  a  connect- 
ing link  between  the  Peritricheae  and  the  Columelliferae. 

Distrib.  Europe;  North  America;  India;  Ceylon;  Australia; 
Bonin  Island:  species,  11. 

A.  Sporangia,  regular  or  plasmodlocarp. 
Tubulina  minima,  Mass. 

Sporangia  scattered,  sessile  on  a  broad  base,  hemispherical  or 
variously  elongated,  little  depressed  ;  wall  thin,  smooth  ;  from  clear 
to  obscure  brown ;  torn  above  into  several  persistent,  irregular  teeth  ; 
mass  of  spores  umber,  spores  globose,  minutely  warted,  10 — 12  /x 
diameter. 

Licea  minima,  Fr.,  Syst.  Myc.,  iii.  p.  199 ;  Karst.,  Myc.  Fenn., 
iv.  p.  125 ;  Sacc.,  Syll.,  1385. 

Licea  varialilis,  Schrad.,  Nov.  pi.  gen.,  p.  15,  t.  vi.,  ff.  5,  6. 

Hxsicc. — Karst.,  Fung.  Fenn.,  798. 

(Specimen  from  Fries  in  Herb.  Berk.) 

Britain  (Bulmer,  Yorks). 

On  pine  wood  and  sawdust.     Germany  ;  Sweden ;  Finland. 

An  obscure  species,  which,  from  its  scattered  habit,  is  easily 
overlooked;  when  circular  from  '5 — 1  mm.  across;  frequently 
2 — 3  mm.  when  elongated.  The  colour  varies  from  almost  chest- 
nut to  blackish  brown ;  ruptured  above  in  an  irregularly  stellate 
manner. 

The  inner  surface  of  wall  of  sporangium  has  numerous 
coloured  cells  or  masses  arranged  in  groups. 


Tubulina.  37 

Rostafinski's  gratuitous  suggestion  that  the  present  species 
is  a  Phelonitis  is  altogether  wrong. 

Tubulina  flexuosa,  Mass. 

Sporangia  scattered,  sessile  on  a  broad  base,  circular  or  variously 
elongated  and  flexuous,  wall  thin,  single,  shining;  deep  olive  or 
tinged  loith  broivn ;  mass  of  spores  olive ;  spores  globose,  pale 
olive-brown,  minutely  warted,  the  warts  showing  a  tendency  to 
form  very  short  ridges,  12 — .15  p,  diameter. 

Licea  flexuosa,  Pers.,  Syn.  fung.,  p.  197,  t.  1,  f.  5,  6 ;  Host., 
Mon.,  p.  218;  Schroet,  p.  102;  Sacc.,  1382. 

(Specimen  named  by  Rostafinski  in  Herb.  Berk.) 

On  decaying  wood,  especially  pine.  Britain  (Aboyne,  N.  B.) ; 
Finland  ;  Sweden ;  Germany. 

From  1 — 1'5  mm.  when  circular,  often  2 — 3  mm.  when 
elongated.  The  wall  of  the  sporangium  is  furnished  inside  with 
a  layer  of  fine  granules  of  organic  matter. 

(Rostafinski's  Synonyms.) 

Licea  flexuosa,  Pers.,  Syn.  p.  197,  t.  1,  f.  5,  6  (1801). 
Tubulina  flexuosa,  Poir.,  Enc.,  I.e.  viii.  no.  8  (1808). 
L.  serpula,  Fr.,  Sym.  Gast.,  p.  12  (1817).  f 

L.  spadicea,  Fr.,  cfr.,  I.e.  iii.  p.  197  (1829). 
Lycogala  consortium,  Lk.,  Herb,  non  Ditm. 
Aethalium  minimum,  Wallr.,  in  litt. 
Aethalium  microscopicum,  Wallr.,  Herb. 
Licea  alutacea,  Wallr.,  Fl.  Ger.  cr.  n.  2106  (1833). 

Tubulina  spermoides,  Mass. 

Sporangia  cylindrical,  shorter  than  broad,  crowded,  rarely 
scattered  towards  the  circumference  of  the  clusters,  apex  slightly 
rounded,  wall  very  thin,  dull,  breaking  up  into  whitish  fragments, 
seated  on  a  well-developed,  thin  hypothallus;  mass  of  spores 
olive ;  spores  globose,  6,  7  /x  diameter,  equally  covered  all  over 
with  minute  warts. 

Licea  spermoides,  B.  and  C.,  Grev.  v.  2,  p.  68. 

Cribraria  argillacca,  Sacc.,  Syll.,  7,  n.  1415  (in  part). 
(Type  in  Herb.  Berk.  n.  10854.) 

On  wood,  leaves,  &c.    Alabama.    Sporangia  in  a  single  stratum, 


38  A  Monograph  of  the  Myxogastres. 

often  forming  patches  6 — 9  cm.  long  and  broad  ;  the  hypothallus 
although  thin,  is  tough,  and  can  be  peeled  off  the  matrix. 
Sporangia  about  5  mm.  diameter  and  not  quite  so  high ;  before 
dehiscence  yellowish  olive  and  resembling  a  crowded  Pcrickaena. 

Tubulina  speciosa,  Speg. 

Sporangia  densely  gregarious,  fasiculate,  fascicles  subcircular, 
1 — 2  cm.  long  and  broad,  1 — 1  mm.  high,  seated  on  a  slightly 
convex  hypothallus ;  sporangia  cylindrical,  apices  rounded, 
dehiscing  irregularly,  at  first  flcsli-colmir  then  cinnabar,  shining ; 
spores  warted,  rusty-ochre ;  depressed,  dry  concavo-convex,  with 
a  thickish  margin. 

Spegazzini,  Nov.  Add.  ad  Myc.Ven.  n.123;  Sacc.,Syll.,7,n.  1393. 

On  rotten  wood  of  Pinus  silvcstris.     N.  Italy. 

I  have  had  no  opportunity  of  examining  the  present  species, 
the  spores  of  which  are  described  as  concavo-convex  when 
dry,  but  in  all  probability  become  spherical  when  moist. 

Tubulina  stipitata,  Rost. 

Hypothallus  stem-like,  often  sulcate,  spongy  within;  spo- 
rangia crowded  in  a  sub-globose  head,  cylindrical,  apices 
rounded ;  walls  very  thin,  evanescent ;  mass  of  spores  brownish- 
umber  ;  spores  globose,  4 — 5  /x  diameter,  about  three-fourths  of 
the  surface,  with  a  regular  small  network,  the  'remainder  with 
much  larger  meshes.  Host.,  Mon.,  p.  223,  f.  2 ;  Cooke,  Myx.  Brit., 
f.  2;  Sacc.,  Syll.,  7,  n.  1392. 

Licca  stipitata,  B.  and  C.,  Grev.  v.  2,  p.  68. 

(Type  in  Herb.  Berk.  n.  10851.) 
Exsicc.  Fung.  Cub.  Wrightiani,  551. 

On  dead  wood,  bark,  &c.  Stem  2 — 4  mm.  thick  and  high, 
urnber,  porous  within ;  sporangia  1'5 — 2  mm.  long.  The  spores 
are  globose  when  thoroughly  soaked. 

Dr.  G.  A.  Rex  of  Philadelphia  has  recently  sent  specimens 
of  the  present  species  having  the  hypothallus  very  much 
reduced,  and  also  informs  me  that  sessile  forms  are  not  un- 
common, hence  the  specific  distinction  between  T.  cylindrica 
and  the  present  species  turns  mostly  on  spore  differences. 

Cuba;  Java;  Bonin  Islands;  United  States. 


Tululina.  39 

Tubulina  guaranitica,  Koumeg. 

Gregarious ;  sporangia  globose,  sometimes  slightly  attenuated 
below  on  passing  into  the  stem ;  wall  single,  thin ;  dingy 
ochraceous  with  a  tinge  of  olive,  sometimes  greyish  below, 
about  1  mm.  diameter;  stem  rather  thick,  slightly  incrassated 
doivmvards,  and  passing  into  a  hypothallus,  1'5 — 2  mm.  long, 
ochraceous-brown ;  mass  of  spores  umber ;  spores  globose,  smooth, 
7 — 8  fj.  diameter. 

Tubulina  guaranitica,  Roumeguere,  Fung.  Sel.  exsicc.,  no.  5196. 

Licea  ?  guaranitica,  Speg.,  Fung,  guaran.,  Pug.  I,  no.  322. 

On  decayed  bark.     Guarapi ;  Argentine  Republic. 

With  the  general  appearance  of  a  small  specimen  of  Tubulina 
stipitata,  differing  in  having  only  a  single  sporangium,  or 
aethalium  surrounded  by  a  thin,  friable  cortex.  The  dimorphic 
capillitium  described  by  Spegazzini  as  consisting  of  septate 
threads  is  clearly  nothing  more  than  the  mycelium  of  some 
minute  fungus  spreading  in  the  mass  of  spores.  The  tail-like 
appendages  to  the  spores  mentioned  by  the  author  are  to  be 
explained  in  the  same  way.  The  above  description  is  drawn 
up  from  the  specimens  in  Roumeguere' s  exsicc.  These  speci- 
mens were  supplied  by  Balansa,  and  may  therefore  be  con- 
sidered as  authentic,  inasmuch  as  Spegazzini's  Fungi  guaranitica 
is  an  account  of  the  Fungi  collected  by  Balansa. 

B.  Aethalium  naked. 
Tubulina  cylindrica,  Rost.  (f.  1 — 6). 

Sporangia  usually  crowded  and  forming  a  naked  cake-like 
brown  aethalium,  rarely  scattered,  seated  on  a  well-developed 
flat  or  slightly  convex  hypothallus,  cylindrical  or  subangular 
from  mutual  pressure,  more  or  less  elongated,  apex  rounded ; 
wall  single,  thin,  often  iridescent;  mass  of  spores  brownish- 
umber;  spores  globose,  about  three-foiwtlis  of  the  surface  with 
a  regular,  Jine-meshed  network,  the  remainder  with  scattered 
ridges  and  warts,  7 — 9  /u,  diameter.  Rost.,  Mon.,  p.  220 ; 
Cke.,  Myx.  Brit,,  p.  54;  Sacc.,  Syll.,  1391;  Schroeter,  p.  102. 


40  A  Monograph  of  the  Myxogastres. 

Tubulina  nitidissima,  Berk.,  Journ.  Linn.  Soc.,  v.  18,  p.  387 
(from  examination  of  type) ;  Licea  rubiformis,  B.  and  Curt, 
(from  exam,  of  type). 

Licea  microsperma,  B.  and  C.  (from  exam,  of  type). 

Eocsicc. — Syd.,  Myc.  March.,  1498;  Cke.,  Brit.  Fung.,  ed.  ii., 
528;  Karst.,  Myc.  Fenn.,  697;  Fekl.,  F.  Rhen.,  1470;  Roum, 
Fung.  Gall.,  3066 ;  Ellis  and  Everh.,  N.  A.  Fung,  ser.  II.  2096. 

On  wood.  Forming  compact  cakes  varying  from  half  an  inch 
to  a  foot  or  more  in  diameter,  varying  from  umber-brown  to 
chestnut,  the  surface  granular  with  the  convex  apices  of  the 
sporangia.  When  immature  and  pulpy,  of  a  beautiful  straw- 
berry colour.  Hypothallus  spongy,  resembling  when  thick  the 
sterile  base  'of  a  Lycopcrdon.  Dr.  Rex  considers  that  two 
distinct  species  are  confounded  under  the  above  name. 

Britain  (Apethorpe,  Powerscourt,  Brandon,  Scarboro',  Car- 
lisle, Glamis,  N.  B.);  Germany;  France;  Sweden;  Finland; 
Hungary;  Belgium;  United  States;  India;  Ceylon;  Australia. 

(Rostafmski's  Synonyms.) 

Tubulifera  ceratum,  Fl.  Dan.,  t.  659,  f.  2  (1777). 

Tubulifera  arachnoidea,  Jacq.,  Misc.,  t.  15  (1778). 

Mucor  tubulosus,  Retz. 

Stemonitisferruginea,  Batsch,  f.  175  (1786). 

Spliaerocarpus  cylindricus,  Bull.,  t.  470,  f.  3  (1791). 

Spha&rocarpus  fragiformis,  Bull,  t.  384  ?  (1791). 

Tubifera  fcrruginosa,  Gmel,  Syst.  1472  (1791). 

Tubifera  cylindrica,  Gmel.,  Syst.  1472  (1791). 

Tubifera  fragiformis,  Gmel,  Syst.  1472  (1791). 

Trichia  fragiformis,  With.,  Arr,  iii.  480  (1792). 

Tubulifera  coccinea,  Trent,  p.  243  (1797). 

Licea  tubulina,  Schrad,  N.  G,  16  (1797). 

Licea  clavata,  Schrad,  N.  G,  18  (1797). 

Tubulina  fragiformis,  Pers,  Disp,  p.  11  (1797);  Pers,  Syn, 

t.  4,  f.  3,  4. 

Tubulina  fallax^ers.,  Obs.,  ii.  28  (1799). 
Tubulina  fragiformis,  a.  papillata,  ft.   clavata,  y.   conica,  o. 

coccinea,  e.  operculata :  P.ers,  Obs,  ii.  29. 


Tubulina.  4 1 

Eeticularia  multicapsula,  Sow.,  t.  179  (1799). 

Tubulina  cylindrica,  D.  C.,  FJ.  F.,  674  (1805). 

Tubulina  fragif era,  Poir.,  Ency.,  viii.  No.  3  (1808). 

Licca  fragiformis,  Nees,  f.  102  (1816);  Eng.  Fl.,  v.  p.  321; 

Cooke,  Hdbk.,  1194;  Fung.  Brit.,  ii.  528. 
Dermodium  fallax,  Nees,  f.  103  (1816). 
Licca  cylindrica,  Fr.,  S.  Myc.,  iii.  195  (1829) ;  Eng.  FL,  v.  391 ; 

Cooke,  Hdbk.,  No.  1193. 
Licea  iricolor,  Zoll.,  in  Flora  (1847),  p.  300. 
Tubulina  conglobata,  Preuss.,  Linnaea,  140  (1851). 

Tubulina  effusa,  Mass. 

Aethalium  naked,  sporangia  seated  on  a  firm,  common  hypo- 
thallus,  irregular  from  mutual  pressure,  in  a  single  stratum  or 
superposed,  walls  very  thin,  lustrous,  grown  together ;  free  apices 
of  sporangia  slightly  convex,  giving  the  surface  of  the  aethalium  a 
granular  appearance ;  mass  of  spores  ochraceous-umber ;  spores 
globose,  yellowish-brown,  very  indistinctly  verruculose,  6 — 8  /x 
diameter. 

Lindbladia  effusa,  Host.,  Mon.,  p.  223 ;  Schroet.,  p.  103 ;  Cooke, 
Myx.  Brit.,  p.  55 ;  Sacc.,  Syll.,  no.  1395. 

On  the  ground  and  on  wood.  Britain  (Leicester,  Epping, 
Scarboro',  Aboyne,  Forres,  Linlithgow);  Germany;  Sweden; 
France ;  Bohemia. 

Often  forming  compact,  flattened  cakes  extending  for  three 
or  four  inches,  sometimes  much  smaller ;  superficially  closely 
resembling  Tubulina  cylindrica,  but  the  mass  of  spores  with 
a  yellower  tinge,  and  the  present  species  also  differs  in  the 
shorter  sporangia,  which  are  not  so  uniform  in  their  arrange- 
ment as  in  T.  cylindrica. 

(Rostafinski's  Synonyms.) 

Licca  effusa,  Ehr.,  Sylv.,  p.  26,  f.  i.  (1818).  . 
Aethalium  melacnum,  Chev.  Byss.,  iii.  (1837). 
Lindbladia  tululina,  Fr.,  S.  V.  S.,  449  (1849). 
Aethalium  atrum,  Preuss.,  Linnaea,  141  (1851). 


42  A  Monograph  of  the  Myxogastres. 

Eeticularia  maxima,  Corda,  Ic.  vi.  35  (1852). 
Reticularia  granulosa,  (Erstd.  MSS. 

C.     Aethalium  covered  with  a  common  cortex. 
Tubulina  spumarioidea,  Cke.  and  Mass. 

Aethalium  large,  irregular,  cortex  membranaceous,  blight  grey, 
with  anastomosing  veins  inside ;  walls  of  sporangia  almost 
colourless,  veiy  thin  and  soon  disappearing;  mass  of  spores 
orange  with  a  tinge  of  olive ;  spores  globose,  with  rather  large, 
oltuse  ivarts,  16 — 18  p.  diameter. 

Licea  spumarioidea,  Cke.  and  Mass.,  Grev.,  vol.  xvi.  p.  74 
(1888). 

Running  over  twigs  and  on  the  ground.  Near  Melbourne, 
Australia. 

Aethalia  subglobose  or  irregular,  varying  from  |  to  1  inch 
across,  creeping  up  grass  and  twigs  like  Spinnaria  alba ;  common 
cortex  bright  grey,  thin,  subpersistent,  with  numerous  anasto- 
mosing vein-like  thickenings  in  the  inside  of  the  wall.  Spor- 
angia densely  crowded,  flexuous,  wall  thin,  at  first  imperforate, 
soon  disappearing. 

Imperfectly  known  species. 
Tubulina  brunnea   (Preuss.). 

Closely  gregarious;  sporangia  ochraceous-brown,  rotuncl,  sub- 
depressed,  wall  papyraceous,  irregularly  torn,  upper  portion 
disappearing  in  a  subcircumscissile  manner;  spores  globose, 
minute,  ochraceous,  threads  none. 

Licea  Irunnca,  Preuss.,  Hoyersw.,  n.  275 ;  Schroet.,  p.  102 ; 
Sacc.,  Syll.,  1387. 

On  semi-putrid  trunks  of  pines.     Germany ;  Silesia. 

Tubulina  Lindheimeri,  Mass. 

Broadly  effused,  externally  blackish,  mass  of  spores  ferru- 
ginous-orange ;  spores  globose,  smooth,  6 — 7  p.  diameter. 

Licea  Lindlicimeri,  Berk.,  Grev.  v.  2,  p.  G5 ;  Sacc.,  Syll.,  v.  7, 
n.  1388. 


Tubulina.     Protodermium.  43 

(Type  in  Herb.  Berk.  n.  10848.) 

On  dead  bark.     Texas. 

The  type  specimen  is  so  thoroughly  crushed  that  it  is  im- 
possible to  say  whether  the  plant  is  a  Licea  or  a  Tubulina,  but 
in  all  probability  the  latter,  as  there  appear  to  be  indications 
of  the  bases  of  crowded  sporangia. 

Tubulina  caespitosa,  Mass. 

Peridia  aggregated  in  tufts  or  clusters,  crowded,  sessile, 
smooth,  brown  or  blackish-brown ;  spores  dingy  ochre,  smooth, 
globose,  .00025  in.  in  diameter  (=5.5  /x). 

Physarum  caespitosum,  Peck,  26th  Report,  State  Mus.  N.  York, 
p.  75. 

Rotten  wood.     Greenbush  ;  U.  States. 

PROTODERMIUM,  Rost. 

Sporangia  simple,  solitary,  regular  in  form ;  mass  of  spores 
blackish  violet ;  capillitium  entirely  absent. 

Protoderma,  Rost.,  Mon.,  p.  90;  Schroeter,  p.  103;  Cooke, 
Myx.  Brit,  p.  10. 

Protodermium,  Sacc.,  Syll.,  Vol.  vii.,  pt.  I.,  p.  325. 

Rostafinski's  name  Protoderma  was  altered  by  Berlese  in 
Saccardo's  Sylloge  to  Protodermium,  as  the  former  had  been 
already  used  for  a  genus  of  algae. 

The  present  genus  is  identical  with  Tubulina  except  in  the 
colour  of  the  spores,  a  character  which  I  look  upon  with  doubt. 
Colour  as  presented  by  spores  is  undoubtedly  of  some  signifi- 
cance, but  being  altogether  in  ignorance  as  to  its  relative 
physiological  value,  I  cannot  accept  colour  in  Rostafinski's 
sense  as  being  of  such  supreme  importance  as  to  constitute  the 
basis  for  the  primary  divisions  of  the  Myxogastres,  even  if  the 
divisions  indicated  had  really  existed  in  nature,  which  however 
is  far  from  being  the  case. 

Distrib.  Europe;   United  States:  species  1. 

Protodermium  pusillum,  Rost. 

Sporangia  gregarious,  distinct,  hemispherico-subdepressed, 
about  1  mm.  broad,  chestnut-brown,  shining ;  mass  of  spores 


44  A  Monograph  of  the  Myxogastres. 

black ;   spores  globose,  16 — 18  p.   diameter ;  epispore   blackish 
violet,  smooth. 

Protoderma  pusilla,  Host.,  Mon.,  p.  90. 

Protodermium  pusillum,  Sacc.,  Syll.,  Vol.  vii.,  pt.  I,  n.  1139. 

On  rotten  wood.     Germany ;  Russia ;  United  States. 

(Rostafinski's  Synonyms.) 

Licea  pusilla,  Sclirad.,  Nov.  Gen.,  p.  19,  t.  vi.,  f.  4  (1797). 
Physarum  licea,  Fr.,  S.  M.,  iii.,  p.  143  (1829). 

Sub-sect.  '  CRIBRARIAE. 

ENTERIDIUM,  Rost.  (emended). 

Aethalium  covered  with  a  general,  irregularly  perforated, 
membranaceous  cortex ;  walls  of  component  sporangia  with 
symmetrical  perforations,  or  irregularly  broken  up  to  form  a 
capillitium-like  structure. 

Rost.,  Mon.,  p.  226;  Cooke,  Myx.  Brit.,  p.  56;  Schroeter, 
p.  103 ;  Sacc.,  Syll.,  Vol.  vii.,  pt.  I.,  p.  409. 

Very  closely  allied  to  the  Clathroptychium,  which  differs 
chiefly  in  the  more  complete  absorption  of  the  walls  of  the 
sporangia. 

In  E.  olivaceum,  which  most  nearly  approaches  Clathropty- 
chium in  structure,  the  side  walls  of  the  sporangia  are  not  so 
completely  absorbed  as  in  the  last-named  genus,  hence  the 
thickened  angles  formed  by  the  walls  of  contiguous  cells  have 
broader  and  more  irregular  wings. 

Distrib.  Europe ;  United  States ;  W.  Australia :  species  3. 

A.     Spores  Reticulated. 
Enteridium  olivaceum,  Rost.  (f.  14 — 18). 

Aethalium  very  variable  in  form,  flattened  or  pulvinate,  olive ; 
general  cortex  papery,  pellucid ;  walls  of  the  crowded  sporangia 
pellucid,  yellowish-brown,  perforated;  mass  of  spores  olive; 
spores  in  clusters  of  from  5 — 20,  single  ^orcs  truncate,  the  free 
portion  convex  and  warted,  remaining  portion  smooth,  11 — 15  p 
diameter. 


Enteridium.  45 

Rost.,  Hon.,  p.  227,  fig.  5 ;  Cooke,  Myx.  Brit.,  p.  56,  fig.  5 ; 
Schroeter,  p.  103;  Sacc.,  Syll.,  n.  1399. 

Reticularia  applanata,  B.  and  Br.,  Ann.  Nat.  Hist.  (1886), 
t.  ii.,  f.  3. 

(Specimen  in  Herb.  Berk.,  named  by  Rostafinski.) 

On  wood.  Britain  (Kew,  Scarborough,  Appin,  N.  B.) ; 
Germany ;  Denmark ;  France ;  United  States ;  W.  Australia. 

Irregularly  effused  for  1 — 2  inches,  or  sometimes  in  the 
cracks  of  wood  and  then  elongated ;  colour  dark  greenish  olive, 
the  minute  sporangia  showing  through  the  thin  general  cortex, 
and  giving  the  surface  a  slightly  papillose  appearance.  The 
side  walls  of  the  sporangia  are  more  or  less  regularly  perforated, 
the  angles  where  adjacent  sporangia  meet  being  permanent 
and  winged  with  the  side  portions  of  the  walls  that  are  not 
absorbed. 

(Rostafinski's  Synonyms.) 

Lycoperdon  undulinum,  Schum.-  Saell.,  1404  (1803). 
Enteridium  olivaceum,  Ehr.,  f.  1,  5  A.E.  (1818). 
Reticularia  versicolor,  Fr.,  Obs.,  ii.,  147  (1818). 
*   Licogala  olivacea,  Link,  Hb. 
Reticularia  olivacea,  Fr.,  Syst.  Myc.,  iii.,  89  (1829). 
Reticularia  ungulina,  Fr.,  in  Fl.  Dan.,  t.  1977,  f.  2  (1823). 
Enteridium  atrum,  Preuss.,  Linnaea,  142  (1851). 
Reticularia  applanata,  B.  and   Br.,  Ann.  Nat.  Hist.  (1866), 

t.  ii.,  f.  3 ;  Cke.  Hdbk.,  No.  1098. 
Licea  olivacea,  Fckl.  Symb.,  338  (1869). 
Licea  glomulifera,  De  Bary  and  Rost.,  in  Alex.  (1872). 
Licaetlialium  olivaceum,  Rost.  Vers.;p.  4  (1873). 
Lindbladia  versicolor,  Rost.,  in  Fckl.,  68  (1873). 

Enteridium  Rostrupii,  Raunk. 

Aethalia  irregular,  lengthened,  the  greatest  length  is  4  cm., 
consisting  but  of  one  stratum  of  sporangia,  which  is  1  mm. 
thick.  Wall  of  sporangium  olive;  the  lateral  wall  towards 
ripening  of  the  spores  perforated  by  large,  oval  openings.  Mass 
of  spores  olive;  the  single  spore  rather  colourless.  Spores  in 


46  A  Monograph  of  the  Myxogastres. 

oval  ball-shaped  clusters  of  from  5 — 25.     Only  the  convex  surface 
warted,  11 — 12  /u,  diameter. 

Enteridium  Rostrupii,  Raunk.,  Myx.  Dan.,  p.  1 06  (in  English). 

On  fir-stumps  and  rotten  oak  branches — autumn. 

Denmark. 

From  the  above  description  alone  it  is  difficult  to  indicate 
the  points  of  difference  between  the  present  species  and  E. 
olivaccum. 

Enteridium  macrosporum,  Raunk. 

Aethalia  hemispherical,  2  mm.  diameter,  at  first  reddish,  later 
olive.  Spores  in  oval  ball-shaped  clusters  of  from  5 — 25. 
Only  the  convex  surface  spinulose,  12 — 14  /x  diameter. 

Entcridiuin  macrosporum,  Raunk.,  Myx.  Dan.,  p.  106,  t.  2, 
f.  1. 

On  rotten  fir  branches.     Autumn.     Near  Copenhagen. 

This  species  I  have  only  found  once,  and  then  but  very  few 
specimens.  It  seems  to  be  especially  different  from  the  other 
species  of  Enteridiitm  in  the  size  of  the  spores  and  the  par- 
ticularly developed  sculpture  of  their  convex  surface.  (Raunk.) 

Enteridium  Rozeanuni,  Wing.  (f.  108). 

Aethalium  of  irregular  shape,  globose,  ovoid,  or  rounded- 
pyramidal,  attached  to  the  substratum  by  a  wide  base.  Vari- 
able in  size,  from  5 — 30  mm.  in  diameter.  Cortex  and  mass 
of  spores  ferruginous  brown;  occasionally  the  cortex  shining; 
sometimes  membranaceous,  pellucid.  Interior  structure  very 
variable,  the  walls  of  the  individual  sporangia  (which  form  a 
capillitium)  membranaceous,  pellucid,  band-like,  combined  into 
an  all-sided  network  attached  uniformly  to  all  sides  of  the 
cortex.  The  bands  have  triangular  or  polygonal  expansions 
at  the  angles  where  they  join  each  other.  Spores  globose, 
about  two-thirds  of  the  surface  covered  with  a  delicate,  regular, 
fine-meshed  network,  the  remainder  with  simple  warts  or 
elongated  ridges.  The  warted  portion  has  the  outline  of  a 
wide  spindle  lying  at  the  poles  of  the  little  sphere.  Spores 
measure  7'5 — 9  /x. 


Enteridiwn.  47 

Enteridmm  Rozeanum,  Wing.,  Proc.  Acad.  Nat.  Sci.  Phil., 
1889,  p.  156. 

Reticularia  (?)  Rozeana,  Host.,  Mon.,  Suppl.,  no.  179 ;  Sacc., 
Syll.,  no.  1425. 

Licea  fallax,  Pers.,  in  Herb.  Schwein. 

On  wood,  bark,  &c.  Britain  (Scarboro') ;  France;  United 
States. 

The  spaces  in  the  capillitium,  which  represent  the  individual 
sporangia  of  the  aethalium,  have  about  the  same  dimensions 
in  the  same  plant,  but  vary  considerably,  comparing  one  speci- 
men with  another.  The  extremes  of  variation  may  be  ex- 
pressed by  the  proportion  1  to  10.  Sometimes  the  bands  of 
the  capillitium  are  very  much  lacerated  longitudinally,  and 
form  a  filamentous  mass,  when  the  characteristic  structure  of 
the  genus  is  entirely  lost  after  the  dispersal  of  the  spores. 
Capillitium  yellowish  under  the  microscope. 

The  whole  of  the  above  is  from  Mr.  Wingate's  article,  which 
also  contains  an  interesting  historical  sketch  of  the  species. 

The  present  species  appears  to  be  generally  distributed  in 
the  United  States,  judging  from  the  specimens  in  the  Kew 
herbarium  sent  by  various  American  correspondents;  one 
specimen  communicated  by  Ravenel  from  Lower  Carolina  is 
irregularly  circular  'in  outline,  three  and  a  half  inches  in 
diameter  and  half  an  inch  thick.  The  European  form,  judging 
from  the  specimens  I  have  seen,  has  the  sporangial  walls  very 
much  reduced,  and  will  probably  be  found  in  herbaria  under 
Reticularia,  where  I  was  at  first  disposed  to  place  it  until  con- 
vinced by  Mr.  Wirigate  of  its  nearer  affinity  with  Enteridmm. 

B.     Spores  ivartcd. 
Enteridium  simulans,  Host. 

Very  similar  to  E.  olivaceum,  but  the  spores  are  free  or  loosely 
aggregated,  irregularly  spherical,  and  minutely  warted  all  over, 
10 — 12  fj.  diameter. 

Host.,  Monogr.,  Appendix,  p.  31 ;  Karst.,  Myc.  Fran.,  iv. 
p.  126;  Sacc.,  Syll.,  n.  1400. 


48  A  Monograph  of  the  Myxogastres. 

On  decorticated  branches  of  Alnus  incana.     Finland. 

Aethalium  variable  in  form,  suborbicular  or  elongated,  convex, 
pulvinate  or  depressed,  2 — 5  mm.  broad. 

I  have  had  no  opportunity  of  examining  the  present  species. 
If  the  spores  are  minutely  warted  all  over,  the  species  may 
be  distinct,  but  clustered  spores  with  warts  all  over  are  not 
common ;  and  remembering  the  numerous  inaccurate  descrip- 
tions in  the  works  of  Karsten  and  Rostafinski  in  connection 
with  epispore  marking,  I  am  inclined  to  suspect  the  autonomy 
of  the  present  species. 

ORCADELLA,  Wing. 

Sporangia  with  coarse  stipes;  sporangium  wall  likewise 
coarse,  but  at  the  top  of  the  sporangium  replaced  by  a  delicate 
membrane  which  forms  a  more  or  less  flattened  deciduous  lid. 

Orcadella,  Wingate,  in  Proc.  Acad.  Nat.  Sci.  Philada.,  1889, 
p.  280. 

The  present  genus  is  considered  as  the  type  of  a  new  family 
of  the  Myxogastres,  described  as  follows  by  Mr.  Harold  Wingate 
in  the  article  quoted  above — 

"This  curious  minute  plant  presents  anatomical  character- 
istics which  lead  me  to  propose  a  new  family  of  the  Myxo- 
mycetes,  and  which,  in  Dr.  Rostafinski's  classification,  would 
come  under  Order  IV.,  Anemeae,  and  after  Family  13,  Clathro- 
ptychiaccae. 

"  Orcadellaccae,  fam.  nov. 

"  Sporangia  without  columella  or  capillitium,  and  the  upper 
part  of  the  coarse  sporangium  wall  replaced  by  a  delicate 
membrane  having  a  defined  outline. 

"  This  family  seems  to  bridge,  to  a  certain  extent,  the  gap 
between  Rostafinski's  orders  Anemeae  and  Heterodeiineae,  as  we 
here  have  a  stage  between  the  uniform  wall  of  Licea,  Tubulina, 
&c.,  and  the  lacerate  upper  wall  of  some  species  of  Cribraria, 
where  the  receptacle  is  strongly  developed  and  covered  with 
minute  granulations.  The  epispore  seems  to  be  absolutely 
without  thickenings  even  under  very  high  magnification." 


Orcadella.  49 

I  am  indebted  to  the  kindness  of  the  author  for  an  oppor- 
tunity of  examining  authentic  specimens,  and  quite  agree  as 
to  the  validity  of  the  generic  characters,  and  also  admit  that 
the  new  family  founded  is  quite  as  good  as  most  others  at 
present  admitted  in  the  Myxomycdes,  but  I  am  afraid  that  if 
such  trivial  characters  are  admitted  as  sufficient  for  family 
characteristics,  those  left  for  generic  distinctions  will  be  reduced 
to  inappreciable  quantities. 

Compared  with  allied  genera,  as  Claihroptycliium  and 
Enteridium,  we  find  that  in  the  genus  under  consideration,  the 
apical  portion  of  the  sporangium  is  differentiated  and  event- 
ually disappears,  whereas  in  the  two  last-named  genera  the 
differentiation  and  disappearance  of  the  sporangium  is  confined 
to  certain  portions  of  the  lateral  wall ;  or  finally,  it  may  be 
looked  upon  as  a  scattered,  stipitate  Tiibulina  with  a  dehiscent 
apex  to  the  sporangium. 

Distrib.  United  States:  species  1. 

Orcadella  operculata,  Wing.  (f.  201). 

Sporangia  stipitate,  without  columella  or  capillitium,  very 
variable  in  form,  barrel-shaped,  urn-shaped,  vase-shaped,  jar- 
shaped,  ovoid  or  nearly  globose,  or  all  varieties  appearing  in 
one  small  group ;  stipe  slightly  tapering,  erect  or  bent,  blackish, 
rough  and  coarse  from  deposits  of  plasmodic  refuse;  very 
variable  in  height.  Sporangium  wall  likewise  coarse,  blackish, 
containing  deposits  of  plasmodic  refuse,  but  at  the  top  part 
of  the  sporangium  replaced  by  a  delicate,  yellowish,  iridescent, 
lustrous  or  vernicose  membrane  which  forms  a  flat  or  slightly 
convex  circular  deciduous  lid,  sometimes  smooth,  sometimes 
reticulately  wrinkled.  Mass  of  spores  yellowish.  Individual 
spores  almost  colourless,  globose  or  irregularly  roundish,  smooth, 
8 — 11  n  in  diameter. 

Orcadella  operculata,  Wing.,  Proc.  Acad.  Nat.  Sci.  Phil,  1889, 
p.  280,  with  fig. 

(Type  in  Herb.  Acad.  Nat.  Sci.  Philada.) 

On  trunks  of  living  red-oak  trees  (Ouercus  ruber).  United 
States. 


50  A  Monograph  of  the  Myxogastres. 

I  have  given  the  author's  own  diagnosis  of  the  species. 
Scattered  in  cracks  of  the  bark,  from  *5 — 1  mm.  high,  some- 
times a  little  more,  stem  suberect,  sometimes  rather  flexuous, 
sporangium  very  small. 

CLATHROPTYCHIUM,  Host. 

Aethalium  naked ;  sporangia  sessile,  prismatic  or  cylindrical, 
densely  crowded  on  a  hypothallus,  walls  of  sporangia  persistent 
at  the  apex,  lateral  walls  reduced  to  5 — 6  slender  threads  which 
extend  from  the  hypothallus  and  support  the  apical  portion. 

Rost.,  Mon.,  p.  225 ;  Cooke,  Myx.  Brit.,  p.  55 ;  Schroeter, 
p.  164;  Sacc.,  SylL,  p.  405;  Zopf,  p.  137. 

Rostafinski  was  the  first  to  point  out  the  true  aethalioid 
nature  of  Clathroptychium  rugulosum,  and  in  his  diagrammatic 
arrangement,  Hon.,  fig.  30,  represents  the  sporangia  as  circular 
in  outline,  packed  close  together,  and  consequently  leaving 
triangular  interspaces;  each  sporangium  is  represented  as 
having  six  triangular  thickened  portions  of  its  wall  projecting 
into  the  interior  of  the  sporangium.  A  careful  examination  of 
several  specimens  in  various  stages  of  development  show  that 
Rostafinski's  interpretation  is  not  correct.  The  sporangia,  when 
young,  are  cylindrical,  with  both  ends  slightly  convex,  and  the 
walls  entire;  towards  maturity  the  lateral  walls,  due  to  mutual 
pressure,  become  flattened,  and  the  sporangia  are  then  hexagonal 
or  rarely  pentagonal  in  transverse  section  ;  at  the  angles  where 
three  contiguous  cells  meet  the  walls  of  the  sporangia  become 
thickened,  agglutinated  together,  and  persist  as  the  upright 
threads  that  support  the  slightly  convex,  persistent,  cap-like 
portions  of  the  sporangia.  From  the  above  description  it  will 
be  seen  that  the  triangular  upright  threads  correspond  in 
position  to  the  triangular  interspaces  in  Rostafinski's  diagram, 
and  further,  that  the  black  triangular  thickenings  shown  in 
the  diagram  have  no  existence  in  nature.  During  the  period 
between  the  formation  and  maturing  of  the  spores,  the  flat 
lateral  walls  of  the  sporangia  are  dissolved,  with  the  exception 
of  a  narrow  jagged  wing  projecting  from  each  angle  of  the 
upright  permanent  portions.  In  C.  rugulosum  these  wings  are 


Clathroptychium.  51 

very  rudimentary,  but  in  C.  Berkeleyi  are  often  broader  than 
the  triangular  portion,  and  recalling  to  mind  the  similar  struc- 
ture in  Enteridium  olivaceum.  The  triangular  upright  threads 
almost  invariably  show  traces  of  a  central  cavity,  which  cor- 
responds to  the  intercellular  space  between  the  originally 
cylindrical  sporangia.  The  persistent  apices  of  the  sporangia, 
when  viewed  from  above  under  a  low  power,  are  seen  to  consist 
of  very  slightly  convex  hexagons,  rarely  pentagons,  so  firmly 
agglutinated  together  that  the  whole  can  be  removed  as  a 
continuous  membrane ;  if  this  is  done,  and  the  membrane  then 
viewed  from  the  under  side,  after  the  spores  have  been  cleared 
away,  the  stumps  of  the  triangular  threads  will  be  seen  to 
originate  from  the  angles  where  the  permanent  apices  of  three 
sporangia  meet ;  if  this  membrane  is  treated  with  potassie 
hydrate,  the  apices  separate  from  each  other  as  do  also  the 
triangular  threads;  this  separation  sometimes  takes  place  in 
water  alone,  when  the  apices  with  their  threads  appear  as 
represented  in  Rostafinski's  figures  28  and  29. 

The  above  account  applies  to  the  typical  structure,  but  both 
species  appear  to  be  very  variable.  Zopf  has  figured  an  aberrent 
form  of  C.  rugulosum,  having  the  threads  supporting  the  apical 
persistent  portion  of  the  sporangium  varying  in  number,  irregu- 
larly branched  and  anastomosing.  I  have  met  with  a  similar 
form,  also  another  variety  where  the  threads  are  branched  and 
anastomosing  and  not  confined  to  the  margin  of  the  apical 
portion,  but  originating  from  any  portion  of  its  under  surface, 
and  approximating  so  closely  in  structure  to  certain  forms  of 
the  genus  Perichaena  as  to  be  almost  indistinguishable. 

Distrib.  Europe;  Africa;  India;  Ceylon;  Australia;  United 
States :  species  3. 

Clathroptychium  rugulosum,  Host.  (f.  25 — 28). 

Hypothallus  well  developed,  often  extending  as  a  whitish 
membrane  for  some  distance ;  sporangia  prismatic,  apex  slightly 
rounded,  and  supported  by  five  or  six  slender  triangular  per- 
sistent threads,  the  fiat  face  pointing  to  the  interior  of  the  sporan- 
gium rugulose ;  colour  of  mass  of  sporangia  reddish,  bright 


52  A  Monograph  of  the  Myxogastres. 

brown,  or  umber;  mass  of  spores  clear  yellow,  ochraceous,  or 
tinged  with  brown,  spores  globose,  very  minutely  verruculose, 
8 — 11  /A  diameter. 

Host,  Mon.,  p.  225,  figs.  25,  28,  29,  30;  Cooke,  Myx.  Brit., 
p.  55,  figs.  25,  28,  29,  30;  Schroeter,  p.  104. 

Licea  tenuissima,  B.  and  Br.,  Fungi  of  Ceylon,  in  Journ.  Linn. 
Soc.,  Vol.  xiv.,  p.  86  (Hb.  B.,  n.  10858). 

Licea  cinnabarina,  B.  and  Br.,  Ceylon  Fungi,  in  Journ.  Linn. 
Soc.,  Vol.  xiv.,  p.  86  (Herb.  Berk.,  10854). 

Ostracoderma  spadiccum,  Schwein.  (specimen  so  named  by 
Schweinitz  in  Herb.  Berk.,  10864). 

Comuvia  Schweinitzii,  Berk,  in  Herb. 

Exsicc. — Ellis,  N.  Amer.  Fung.,  335. 

On  dead  wood.  Britain  (Oxford,  Leicester,  Eltham  Park, 
Scarborough,  Glamis,  N.  B.) ;  France ;  Germany ;  Italy ;  Bel- 
gium ;  Hungary ;  Algeria ;  United  States ;  Ceylon ;  Australia. 

The  crowded  sporangia  form  compact  cakes  of  irregular  form, 
varying  from  a  £  to  1^  in.  across,  and  about  1  mm.  thick. 
The  surface  is  generally  chestnut-brown,  often  with  olive  shade, 
and  minutely  rugulose.  The  hypothallus  often  extends  con- 
siderably beyond  the  sporangia.  Differs  from  C.  cinnaba- 
rinum  in  the  verruculose  spores,  and  from  C.  Bcrkeleyi  in 
the  absence  of  wings  to  the  triangular  supports  of  the  apex 
of  the  sporangium. 

(Rostafinski's  Synonyms.) 

Fuligo  plumbea,  Fl.  Dan.,  1976,  f.  1  (1803). 

Reticularia  plumbca,  Fr.,  S.  M.,  iii.  88  (1829). 

Licea  rugulosa,  Wallr.,  Fl.  Germ.,  2107  (1833). 

Licea   applanata,  Berk.,   Hook   Journ.   (1845) ;    B.  and   Br., 

Ann.  Nat.  Hist.,  n.  313;  Cke,  Hdbk.,  n.  1195. 
Lycogala  lenticulare,  D.  R.  and  M.,  Fl.  Alg.,  401  (1846). 
Reticularia  lenticularis,  Mort.,  Herb. 
Diciydiaethalium  applanatiim,  Host.,  in  Fckl.,  Symb.,  2  Nach. 

69  (1873). 


Clathroptychium.  53 

Clathroptychium  Berkeley!,  Mass.  (n.  sp.). 

Hypothallus  stout,  not  extending  beyond  the  sporangia, 
which  are  densely  crowded,  forming  cakes  1 — 3  cm.  across, 
and  1*5 — 2  mm.  thick,  very  minutely  and  indistinctly  rugulose, 
brownish-olive ;  apices  of  sporangia  almost  plane,  supported  by 
5 — 6  triangular,  hollow  threads,  which  are  strongly  winged  at  the 
angles,  free  edges  of  wings  eroded ;  mass  of  spores  dirty  olive ; 
spores  globose,  warted,  warts  with  a  tendency  to  become  elon- 
gated, 10 — 13  /*  diameter. 

Licca  cylindrica,  Fr.,  Berk,  and  Br.,  Fungi  of  Ceylon,  Journ. 
Linn.  Soc.,  Vol.  xiv.,  p.  86. 

(Type  in  Herb.  Berk.,  n.  10857  a.) 

On  wood.     Ceylon. 

The  large  spores  with  the  •  warts  showing  a  tendency  to 
become  elongated  and  form  ridges,  and  the  strongly- winged 
threads  supporting  the  apices  of  the  sporangia  characterize  the 
present  species. 

Clathroptychium  cinnabarinum,  Sacc. 

Sporangia  prismatic,  broadly  diffused,  closely  crowded, 
\ — |  mm.  high,  vivid  vermilion,  above  (operculum)  blackish  - 
purple,  rather  shining,  sessile,  rising  erect  from  a  hypothallus ; 
spores  globose,  smooth,  9 — 12  p  diameter,  vermilion,  guttulate ; 
threads  descending  from  the  operculum,  filiform,  thickish, 
fuliginous. 

&  Sacc.,  in   Michelia,  I.,  p.   545 ;   Sacc.,  Syll.,  Vol.   vii.,  pt.  I., 
n.  1397. 

On  decayed  oak  wood.  North  Italy.  Forming  flattened 
heaps,  4 — 6  cm.  long.  Differs  from  Clathroptychium  rugulosum 
in  the  different  colour  of  the  mature  plant,  the  narrow,  prismatic 
sporangia,  and  smooth,  vermilion  spores. 

The  vermilion  colour  and  smooth  spores  suggest  the  possi- 
bility of  the  present  being  an  immature  condition  of  some 
species. 

Clathroptychium  dissiliens,  Hazl. 
Sporangia   forming   a   rotund   or   oval    cushion,    2 — 5    mm. 


54  A  Monograph  of  the  Myxogastres. 

diameter,  chestnut-brown,  pruinose ;  mass  of  spores  and  sup- 
porting threads  yellowish  brown. 

Dictydiathalium  dissilicm,  Hazl.,  Just."  Bot.  Jahresb.,  1877, 
p.  156 ;  Sacc.,  Syll,  Vol.  vii.,  pt.  I,  n.  1398. 

Hazlinsky  states  the  present  species,  when  ripe,  dehisces  in 
an  elastic  manner  on  the  slightest  touch,  brought  about  by 
the  sudden  expansion  of  the  elaters  (=  threads  supporting 
apical  portion  of  sporangium)  which  increase  to  three  times 
their  previous  length. 

CRIBRARIA.     Pers.  (emended). 

Wall  of  sporangium  single,  with  thickened  permanent  portions 
arranged  in  the  form  of  more  or  less  parallel  ribs  at  the  base, 
branching  and  anastomosing  above  to  form  an  irregular  net- 
work, angles  of  network  sometimes  dilated  and  enclosing 
granules;  thin  portions  of  wall  entirely  disappearing  at  ma- 
turity, or  the  basal  portions  between  the  radiating  ribs  per- 
sistent and  forming  an  imperforate  calyculus;  columella  and 
capillitium  absent. 

Cribraria,  Pers.  Syn.,  p.  192;  Host.,  Mon.,  p.  57;  Cooke, 
Myx.  Brit.,  p.  57;  Schroeter,  p.  104;  Zopf,  p.  141 ;  Sacc.,  Syll., 
Vol.  vii.,  pt.  I.,  p.  412. 

Heterodictyon,  Host.,  Mon.,  p.  231 ;  Cooke,  Brit.  Myx.,  p.  57 ; 
Sacc.,  Syll.,  p.  411. 

After  a  careful  comparison  of  specimens  or  figures  of  all  the 
species,  with  two  exceptions,  I  find  it  impossible  to  retain 
Rostafinski's  genus  Heterodictyon.  In  Cribraria  we  find,  as 
a  rule,  a  calyculus  at  the  base  of  the  sporangium,  composed 
of  more  or  less  parallel  ribs,  with  the  thinner  intermediate 
portions  persistent ;  from  the  irregular  margin  of  the  calyculus, 
the  upper  network  commences,  or  rather,  may  be  looked  upon 
as  a  continuation  of  the  ribs  of  the  calyculus;  if  the  upper 
portion  starts  from  the  margin  of  the  calyculus,  as  an  irregular 
net-work  consisting  of  well-defined  nodes  united  by  thin 
strands,  it  represents  Rostafinski's  conception  of  Cribraria,; 
but  if  the  lower  portion  of  the  network  consists  of  more  or 
less  parallel,  broad  ribs,  joined  laterally  by  thin  strands,  and 


Cribraria.  55 

passing  into  the  Cribraria  type  of  network  towards  the  apex, 
then,  according  to  Rostafinski,  it  is  Heterodictyon.  There  is, 
in  reality,  every  shade  of  transition  between  the  two  extremes, 
and  C.  Bicniaszii  closely  connects  the  genus  Cribraria  in  the 
wider  sense,  with  Dictydium. 

Distrib.  Europe;  United  States;  Ceylon:  species  19. 

Sub-Gen.  Heteroderma.     Calyculus  present. 

Network  thickened,  and  forming  nodes  at  the  angles. 

Cribraria  elegans,  B.  and  C. 

Sporangia  globose,  stipitate,  more  or  less  cernuous,  purple, 
calyculus  occupying  nearly  lower  half  of  sporangial  wall,  with 
numerous  radiating  ribs,  and  studded  with  organic  purple 
granules  inside ;  nodes  of  network  numerous,  large,  angular  or 
irregularly  stellate,  containing  purple  granules,  connected  by 
thin  bands;  stem  elongated,  expanding  downwards,  and  pass- 
ing into  a  small  hypothallus,  curved  near  the  apex,  purple ; 
spores — mass  purple ;  spores  globose  ;  minutely  warted,  5 — 7  /* 
diameter. 

Cribraria  elegans,  B.  and  C.,  Grev.,  Vol.  ii.,  p.  67 ;  Sacc.,  Syll., 
n.  1412 ;  Host.,  Mon.,  App.,  p.  32. 

(Type  in  Herb.  Berk.,  n.  10873.) 

On  decayed  wood.     Lower  Carolina. 

Scattered  or  gregarious,  stem  variable  in  length,  2  —  3  mm., 
sometimes  flexuous.  There  are  no  free  ends  in  the  network 
of  the  sporangium. 

Cribraria  piriformis,  Schrad. 

Sporangia  pyriform,  stipitate,  erect,  purple-brown  before  de- 
hisccnce,  then  yellowish-brown  above,  calyculus  funnel-shaped, 
occupying  the  lower  third  of  sporangium,  with  radiating  ribs, 
margin  eroded,  nodes  of  network  large,  angular,  coloured,  with 
prominent,  acute  processes,  containing  granules,  united  by  very 
slender  threads ;  stem  about  equal  in  length  to  sporangium,  sub- 
equal,  purple-brown,  expanding  at  the  base  into  a  hypothallus 
of  the  same  colour;  spores  very  pale  salmon-colour,  globose, 
smooth,  5 — 7  n  diameter. 


56  A  Monograph  of  the  Myxogastres. 

Crilraria  piriformis,  Schrad.,  Nov.  PL  Gen.,  p.  4,  pi.  3., 
f.  4—5  ;  Host.,  Hon.,  p.  237,  fig.  14;  Cooke,  Brit.  Myx.,  fig.  14; 
Sacc.,  Syll,  n.  1416. 

On  rotten  pine  wood.     Scotland ;  Sweden ;  Germany. 

Gregarious,  several  often  springing  from  a  common  hypo- 
thallus;  2 — 3  mm.  high,  resembling  superficially  some  forms 
of  C.  macrocarpa,  but  at  once  distinguished  by  the  large, 
irregularly  stellate,  distinct  nodes  of  the  network,  connected  by 
slender  strands. 

Cribraria  macrocarpa,  Schrad.  (f.  110). 

Sporangia  broactty  obovate,  stipitate,  erect,  upper  portion 
ycllmoish-brcrtvn,  calyculus  brownish-purple,  funnel-shaped,  occu- 
pying one-third  or  more  of  the  sporangium;  sometimes  per- 
forated towards  the  very  irregular  margin,  the  projections  of 
which  are  prolonged  as  flattened,  granulose,  coloured,  irregularly 
curved  bands  of  varying  width,  and  anastomosing  at  various 
points,  with  numerous  lateral  projections  which  are  continuous 
with  the  projections  of  adjoining  ribs  as  thin  strands  bridging 
the  irregular  meshes  formed  by  the  larger  ribs;  stem  stout, 
erect,  simple,  or  2 — 3  more  or  less  grown  together,  purplc- 
brown,  rugulose,  expanded  at  the  base  into  a  spreading  hypo- 
thallus;  spores  pale  yellow,  globose,  smooth,  7 — 10  p.  diameter. 

Cribraria  macrocarpa,  Schrad.,  Nov.  P,}.  Gen.,  p.  8,  t.  ii., 
f.  3—4 ;  Cooke,  Myx.  Brit.,  p.  59 ;  Sacc.,  Syll.,  n.  1417 ;  Rost., 
Mon.,  p.  238. 

On  decayed  wood.  Britain  (Glamis,  N.  B.) ;  France ;  Switzer- 
land ;  Germany ;  Sweden. 

Crowded  or  scattered,  sometimes  2 — 3  more  or  less  combined 
to  form  an  aethalium.  The  obovate  sporangia  and  peculiar 
structure  of  reticulation  characterize  the  present  species,  the 
broad,  flattened,  primary  ribs  by  irregular  bifurcation,  combine 
to  form  a  network  of  irregularly  elongated  meshes,  which  are 
bridged  over  by  lateral  thin  strands  from  the  sides  of  the 
larger  ribs.  Well-defined  distinct  nodes  connected  by  thin 
strands  are  absent. 


Cribraria.  57 

(Rostafinski's  Synonyms.) 

Cribraria  macrocarpa,  Schrad.,  Nov.  Gen.,  p.  8,  t.  ii.,  f.  3 — 4 

(1797). 
Trichia  macrocarpa,  Poir.,  Ency.,  1.  c.  viii.,  no.  30  (1808). 

Cribraria  purpurea,  Schrad.  (f.  109). 

Sporangia  globose,  stipitate,  dark  purple,  calyculus  well- 
developed,  with  thickened  ribs,  sometimes  irregularly  perforated 
near  the  dentate  margin ;  nodes  of  network  containing  purple 
granules,  small,  usually  elongated,  but  very  irregular  in  form, 
with  numerous  processes,  connecting  threads  thin,  some  of  the 
processes  are  prolonged  into  simple  or  branched  irregularly  bent 
threads  that  remain  free  at  the  tips,  and  not  connected  with 
other  nodes  or  threads ;  stem  elongated,  flexuous,  purple  ;  spore- 
mass  dark  purple,  spores  almost  colourless,  or  with  faint  tinge 
of  rose,  globose,  smooth,  5 — 7  ju,  diameter. 

Cribraria  purpurea,  Schrad.,  Nov.  PI.  Gen.,  p.  8 ;  Host.,  Mon., 
p.  233 ;  Sacc.,  Syll.,  1408. 

On  decayed  pine  trunks.  Germany;  Britain  (specimen  in 
Herb.  Kew  marked,  "  Herb.  Dawson  Turner,  British  ") ;  Sweden 
(specimen  collected  by  Lindblad,  and  communicated  to  Berkeley 
by  Fries). 

Gregarious  or  scattered,  about  1'5  mm.  high,  stem  3 — 4 
times  as  long  as  sporangium,  usually  more  or  less  flexuous. 
Agrees  in  colour  with  C.  elegans,  but  readily  distinguished  by 
the  smooth  spores  and  numerous  free  ends  in  the  permanent 
network  of  the  sporangium.  Distinct  from  C.  macrocarpa  in 
the  globose  sporangium  and  long,  slender,  flexuous  stem. 

Cribraria  aurantiaca,  Schrad.  (f.  104). 

Sporangia  globose,  usually  more  or  less  cernuous,  orange 
brown,  calyculus  occupying  one-third  or  more  of  the  sporangial 
wall,  furnished  with  ribs  which  pass  upwards  to  form  the  net- 
work, nodes  coloured,  containing  granules,  large,  irregular,  united 
by  thin,  colourless  bands ;  stem  elongated,  attenuated  upwards, 
where  it  is  curved,  bright  brown,  expanding  at  the  base  into  a 


58  A  Monograph  of  the  Myxogastres. 

small  hypothallus ;  mass  of  spores  dark  orange ;  spores  globose, 
smooth,  5 — 7  p.  diameter. 

Cribraria  aurantiaca,  Schrad.,  t.  i.,  f.  3 — 4 ;  Rost.,  Mon.,  223, 
f.  21;  Cooke,  Myx.  Brit.,  p.  58,  fig.  21;  Schroet.,  p.  105; 
Raunk.,  p.  50 ;  Sacc.,  Syll.,  1409. 

On  decaying  wood,  especially  pine.  Britain  (Carlisle, 
Aboyne,  Linlithgow);  Sweden;  Germany;  Belgium;  Hungary. 

Gregarious  or  scattered,  2 — 2'5  mm.  high ;  the  nodes  of  the 
network  of  the  sporangial  wall  are  numerous,  large,  and  very 
irregular,  usually  irregularly  stellate,  the  rays  tapering  gradu- 
ally and  without  much  smooth  internode,  again  expanding  as 
a  ray  of  an  adjoining  node.  Spores  sometimes  minutely 
verruculose  under  a  high  power. 

(Rostafinski's  Synonyms.) 
Cribraria  aurantiaca,  Schrad.,  t.  i.,  f.  3 — 4  (1797) ;  Fr.,  S.  M., 

iii.  174;  Cke.,  Hdbk.,  1169 ;  B.  and  Br.,  Ann.  Nat.  Hist.,  1037. 
Cribraria  vulgaris,  ft  aurantiaca,  Pers.,  Syn.,  194  (1801). 
Trichia  mfepcens,  ft  aurantiaca,  Poir,  Ency.,  viii.  31. 
Cribraria  aurantiaca  y  sulphured,  Wallr.,  Fl.  Gerrn.  (1833). 
Cribraria  intermedia,  Berk.,  Eng.  Fl.  v.,  318  (1836);  Cooke, 

Hdbk.,  1166. 
Cribraria  variabilis,  Ficinus  Dresd.,  JT1.  269  (1838). 

Cribraria  tenella,  Schrad. 

Sporangia  spherical,  generally  more  or  less  cernuous,  stipi- 
tate,  calyculus  occupying  about  half  the  sporangium,  broum, 
shining,  often  perforated  above,  margin  irregularly  eroded, 
nodes  numerous,  coloured,  containing  granules,  small,  more  or 
less  circular  in  outline,  connected  by  very  delicate  strands; 
stem  elongated,  slender,  subequal,  often  flexuous,  brown,  with 
a  tinge  of  purple ;  spores  globose,  almost  colourless,  smooth, 
5 — 7  n  diameter. 

Cribraria  tenella,  Schrad.,  Nov.  PI.  Gen.,  p.  6,  t.  iii.,  f.  2—3 ; 
Rost.,  Mon.,  p.  235,  f.  23  ;  Cooke,  Myx.  Brit.,  fig.  23 ;  Schrocter, 
p.  105;  Sacc.,  Syll.,  no.  1411. 

On  rotten  wood.     Germany ;  Sweden  ;  Italy. 


Cribraria.  59 

Gregarious,  1'5 — 2  mm.  high,  resembling  superficially  G. 
intricata,  but  distinguished  by  the  nodes  of  the  network  being 
almost  circular  in  outline,  and  without  the  prominent  angles 
from  which  the  delicate  strands  spring  in  the  last-named 
species. 

Cribraria  intricata,  Schrad.  (f.  11 — 13). 

Sporangia  globose,  erect,  stipitate,  ochraceous  brown,  calyculus 
occupying  half  the  sporangium,  margin  dentate,  nodes  of  network 
numerous,  containing  granules,  coloured,  irregularly  angular, 
witli  several  large,  pointed,  marginal  projections,  connected  by 
very  delicate  strands,  often  arranged  in  more  or  less  parallel 
series;  stem  erect,  attenuated  upwards,  brown,  with  usually  a 
purple  tinge ;  spores  pale,  globose,  wall  thick,  smooth,  5 — 7  /x 
diameter. 

Cribraria  intricata,  Schrad.,  Nov.  PI.  Gen.,  p.  7,  t.  iii.,  f.  1 ; 
Rost.,  Hon.,  p.  237,  fig.  27 ;  Cooke,  Brit.  Myx.,  p.  59,  f.  27 ; 
Raunk.,  p.  50,  t.  ii.,  f.  7;  Sacc.,  SylL,  n.  1415. 

On  rotten  wood,  especially  pine.  Britain  (Lyndhurst,  Wey- 
bridge,  Carlisle,  Glamis,  N.  B.) ;  Germany ;  Sweden ;  United 
States. 

Gregarious  or  crowded,  2'5 — 3  mm.  high;  distinguished 
amongst  species  with  a  large,  hemispherical  calyculus,  by  the 
large,  angular,  irregularly  stellate  nodes  of  the  network  being 
connected  by  slender  bands,  which  are  often  arranged  in 
parallel  pairs. 

(Rostafinski's  Synonym.) 

Cribraria  intricata,  Schrad.,  Nov.  PI.  Gen.,  p.  7,  t.  iii.,  f.  1 
(1797). 

Cribraria  minima,  B.  and  C. 

Sporangia  globose,  cernuous,  stipitate,  dusky  ochraceous, 
calyculus  hemispherical,  margin  irregularly  toothed,  thickened 
ribs  rudimentary;  nodes  of  network  numerous,  irregularly 
stellate,  coloured,  not  containing  granules;  stem  elongated, 
attenuated  upwards,  brownish;  spores  globose,  almost  colour- 
less, smooth,  5 — 7  >  diameter. 


60  A  Monograph  of  the  Myxogastres. 

Cribraria  ininima,  B.  and  C.,  Grev.,  Vol.  ii.,  p.  67. 

Cribraria  minutissima,  Rost.,  Mon.,  App.,  p.  31 ;  Sacc.,  Syll., 
n.  1405  (in  part). 

(Type  in  Herb.  Berk.,  n.  10874.) 

On  pine  planks.     Lower  Carolina. 

Scattered,  about  f  mm.  high,  stem  erect,  or  usually  curved 
above.  Perfectly  distinct  from  C.  minutissima  in  the  presence 
of  a  well-developed  calyculus  occupying  the  basal  half  of  the 
sporangium.  Most  nearly  allied  to  C.  intricata,  which  is  distinct 
in  its  larger  size,  presence  of  granules  in  nodes  of  network  and 
minutely  warted  spores.  Rostafinski  has  evidently  not  seen 
the  type  specimen  of  the  present  species,  otherwise  he  could 
not  possibly  have  given  it  as  a  synonym  of  C.  minutissima. 

Cribraria  mirabilis,  Mass. 

Sporangium  spherical  with  a  small,  irregular  calyculus; 
persistent  thickened  portions  of  watt  continuing  for  some  distance 
from  the  lose  as  more  or  less  parallel,  irregular,  flattened  ribs, 
joined  laterally  by  thin  threads,  towards  the  apex  forming  an 
irregular  network  with  large,  irregular  nodes;  mass  of  spores 
obscure  fulvous,  spores  smooth,  7  ju.  diameter. 

Hctcrodictyon  mirabile,  Rost.,  Mon.,  p.  231,  fig.  16 ;  Cooke, 
Myx.  Brit.,  fig.  16 ;  Sacc.,  Syll.,  no.  1403. 

Germany. 

The  characteristics  of  the  present  species  are — the  small, 
irregular  calyculus,  and  the  great  length  of  the  more  or  less 
parallel  flattened  ribs,  which  only  break  up  to  form  a  reticu- 
lation towards  the  apex  of  the  sporangium. 

Cribraria  Bieniaszii,  Mass. 

Sporangia  globose,  stipitate,  "brown,  calyculus  occupying  the 
lower  third  of  the  sporangium,  on  the  inside  furnished  with  a 
thickened  network,  margin  dentate,  teeth  30 — 40,  continuing 
upwards  as  long,  linear,  parallel  ribs  united  by  very  thin  hori- 
zontal strands,  ^tossing  above  into  a  Cribr  aria-like  network,  nodes 
small  with  from  3 — 6  angles  and  concave  sides ;  stem  elongated, 
becoming  attenuated  upwards,  brown,  expanding  into  a  small 


Cribmria.  61 

hypothallus;  spores  clear  yellow,  wall  smooth,  thin,  5—7  M. 
diameter. 

Heterodictyon  Bieniaszii,  Racib.,  Hedw.  1889,  p.  121. 

On  rotten  trunks.     Poland. 

Stem  1'5 — 2'5  mm.  high,  sporangium  0'8 — 1  mm.  diameter. 

Distinguished  from  C.  mirabilis  by  the  larger  sporangium 
and  the  greater  number  of  ribs  forming  the  lower  part  of  the 
network. 

Cribraria  vulgar  is,  Schrad. 

Sporangia  globose  or  slightly  flattened  below,  stipitate,  caly- 
culus shallow,  ribs  very  thin,  parallel,  crowded,  margin  regularly 
dentate,  the  very  thin  threads  of  the  network  springing  from 
the  teeth  of  the  calyculus,  and  combining  to  form  a  dense  net, 
nodes  distinct,  but  very  small,  rarely  containing  a  few  granules ; 
stem  slender,  elongated,  often  rather  flexuous,  brown,  with  tinge 
of  purple,  becoming  thicker  downwards  and  expanding  into  a 
small  hypothallus;  spores  very  pale,  globose,  smooth,  5 — 7  n 
diameter. 

Cribraria  vulgaris,  Schrad.,  Nov.  PI.  Gen.,  p.  6,  t.  i.,  f.  5 ; 
Host,,  Hon.,  p.  234,  f.  26 ;  Cke.,  Brit.  Myx.,  fig.  26 ;  Schroeter, 
p.  105 ;  Karst.,  Myc.  Fenn.  iv.,  p.  85 ;  Sacc.,  Syll.,  no.  1410. 

Exsicc.  Rab.,  Fung.  Eur.,  676 ;  Fckl.,  Fung.  Rhen.,  2100. 

On  decayed  wood,  especially  pine.  Germany ;  Sweden ;  Fin- 
land. 

Gregarious,  about  1'5 — 2  mm.  high.  Stem  straight  or  curved 
above.  The  features  of  the  present  species  are — the  shallow 
calyculus  with  thin,  crowded,  parallel,  or  more  accurately, 
radiating  ribs,  and  the  very  small  knots  of  the  network. 

Cribraria  elata,  Mass. 

Sporangia  globose,  erect  or  sub-cernuous,  stipitate,  calyculus 
small,  funnel-shaped,  radiating  ribs  well-developed,  margin  regu- 
larly dentate,  teeth  elongated,  acute,  nodes  of  network  numerous, 
coloured,  irregularly  angular,  crowded  with  granules,  with 
several  prominent,  tapering  processes,  connected  by  very  slender 
bands;  stem  with  the  calyculus  dark  reddish-brown,  elongated, 


62  A  Monograph  of  the  Myxogastres. 

erect  or  slightly  curved  above,  becoming  thicker  downwards  and 
expanding  into  a  small  hypothallus ;  spo_res  pale  yellow  brown, 
globose,  smooth,  7 — 8  p.  diameter. 

On  wood  and  twigs.     Ceylon. 

(Type  in  Herb.  Berk.,  Kew,  no  10871.) 

Gregarious,  3 — 3'5  ,mm.  high,  superficially  resembling  Cri- 
braria microcarpa,  but  distinguished  from  this  and  all  other 
species  by  the  small,  funnel-shaped  calyculus  with  the  very 
long,  tapering,  marginal  teeth.  The  spores  sometimes  show  a 
tendency  to  granulation  under  a  high  power. 

*  *  Network  not  thickened  at  the  angles. 
Cribraria  microscopica,  B.  and  C. 

Sporangia  broadly  obovate  or  globose,  stipitate,  calyculus 
occupying  almost  the  lower  half  of  the  sporangium,  without 
rib-like  thickenings,  permanent  ribs  of  upper  portion  thin,  equal, 
without  granules,  not  incrassated  at  the  anghs,  combined  to  form 
large,  irregular  polygons  of  about  equal  size ;  stem  about  equal 
in  length  to  sporangium,  erect,  brownish  umber :  spores  globose, 
smooth,  6 — 7  n  diameter. 

Cribraria  microscopica,  Berk,  and  Curt.,  Grev.,  Vol.  ii.,  p.  67 ; 
Sacc.,  Syll.,  1406. 

(Type  in  Herb.  Berk.,  n.  10175.) 

On  shingles.     South  Carolina. 

Scattered,  about  1  mm.  high,  stem  about  equal  to  sporangium 
in  length,  expanding  at  the  base  into  a  minute  hypothallus. 
Every  part  dingy  ochraceous.  Distinct  from  G.  minima  in  the 
absence  of  thickened  nodes  in  the  network  of  the  sporangium. 

Cribraria  tatrica,  Racib. 

Sporangia  globose,  rufous-brown,  stipitate,  stem  obscure 
rufous,  straight;  lower  part  of  sporangium  persistent,  forming 
a  calyculus  with  the  margin  irregularly  crenato-dentate ;  per- 
sistent thickenings  of  upper  portion  of  sporangium  about  equal, 
not  thickened  at  the  nodes;  spores  yellow,  globose,  smooth,  6 — 7  p 
diameter. 


Cribraria.  63 

Cribraria  tatrica,  Racib.,  Hedw.,  1885,  p.  170;  Sacc.,  Syll., 
n.  1407. 

On  rotten  wood.     Hungary  (Tatra). 

Sporangia  f — 1  mm.  diameter,  stem  2  mm.  long. 

Cribraria  rufa,  Host,  (f.  103). 

Sporangia  broadly  obovate  or  sub-globose,  stipitate,  orange- 
rufous,  calyculus  well-developed,  occupying  one-third  or  more 
of  the  sporangium,  furnished  with  radiating  ribs,  which  extend 
above  and  combine  to  form  a  more  or  less  regular  net  not 
thickened  at  the  angles ;  stem  brown,  often  with  a  purple  tinge, 
elongated,  erect,  attenuated  upwards,  expanding  at  the  base 
into  a  small  hypothallus;  spores  pale  brown,  often  with  a 
decided  purple  tinge,  smooth,  5 — 7  //•  diameter. 

Cribraria  rufa,  Host.,  Hon.,  p.  232,  f.  15 ;  Cke.,  Brit.  Myx., 
p.  58,  f.  15;  Schroeter,  p.  105;  Sacc.,  Syll.,  n.  1404;  Raunk., 
p.  49,  t.  ii.,  f.  5. 

On  wood.  Britain  (Epping,  Carlisle,  Linlithgow)  ;  Germany; 
Sweden;  Denmark. 

Gregarious,  2 — 3  mm.  high. 

(Rostafinski's  Synonyms.) 

Stemonitis  rufa,  Roth.,  Fl.  Germ.,  548  (1788). 

Cribraria  rufescens,  Pers.  disp.,  t.  i.,  f.  5  (1797). 

Cribraria  fulva,  Schrad.,  t.  i.,  f.  1  (1797). 

Cribraria  intermedia,  Schrad.,  t.  i.,  f.  2  (1797);  Berk,  and 

Br.,  Ann.  Nat.  Hist.,  no.  1601. 
Trichia  rufescens,  Poir.,  Ency.,  viii.,  no.  31  (1808). 

Sub-Gen.  Homoderma.     Calyculus  absent. 

*  Network  thickened  and  forming  nodes  at  the  angles. 

Cribraria  microcarpa,  Rost.  (f.  134 — 136). 

Sporangia  globose,  small,  erect  or  cernuous,  stipitate,  calyculus 
absent,  primary  ribs  of  network  radiating  from  apex  of  stem  as 
elongated,  broad  bands,  anastomosing  laterally  and  forming 
elongated  meshes  passing  upwards  into  an  irregular  network  of 


64  A  Monograph  of  the  Myxogastres. 

very  thin  threads  connecting  large,  brown,  irregularly  stellate 
knots  crowded  with  granules ;  stem  slender,  very  much  elongated, 
straight  or  flexuous,  erect  or  curved  above,  brmonish  purple; 
spores  very  pale,  globose,  minutely  verruculose,  5 — 7  /u,  diameter. 

Cribraria  microcarpa,  Host.,  Mon.,  p.  236 ;  Schroeter,  p.  105 ; 
Karst.,  Myc.  Fenn.,  iv.,  p.  86 ;  Sacc.,  Syll.,  no.  1413. 

JExsicc. — Ellis,  North  Amer.  Fung.,  1398  (as  Cribraria  tenella, 
Schrad.) ;  Rav.  Fung.  Car.,  79  (as  G.  intricata). 

On  decayed  pine-wood  and  on  sphagnum.  Britain  (Cleve- 
don,  Bristol) ;  Germany ;  Sweden ;  Finland ;  United  States. 

Gregarious,  2'5 — 3  mm.  high.  Distinguished  amongst  species 
without  a  calyculus  by  the  small  sporangium  and  elongated 
stem ;  also  by  the  elongated,  flattened,  radiating  ribs  at  the 
base  of  the  network,  thus  approaching  the  type  of  structure 
on  which  Rostafinski's  genus  Heterodictyon  was  founded. 

Cribraria  splendens,  Rost. 

Sporangia  globose,  stipitate,  erect,  yellowish,  calyculus  not 
differentiated,  membrane  between  the  thickened  portions  for  a  long 
time  persistent ;  nodes  large,  angular-,  containing  granules ;  stem 
elongated,  slender,  sometimes  flexuous,  purple-brown;  spores 
pale  yellow,  globose,  smooth,  5 — 7  p.  diameter. 

Cribraria  splendens,  Rost.,  Mon.,  p.  236 ;  Karst.,  Myc.  Fenn., 
iv.,  p.  85;  Raunk.,  Myx.  Dan.,  p.  50,  t.  ii.,  f.  6;  Sacc.,  Syll., 
n.  1414. 

On  rotten  pine-wood.  Germany ;  Finland ;  Sweden ;  Switzer- 
land. 

Scattered,  about  2  mm.  high,  stem  about  three  times  as  long 
as  sporangium.  Distinguished  by  the  very  persistent  nature 
of  the  membrane  between  the  thickened  portions. 

(Rostafinski's  Synonyms.) 

Dictydium   splendens,  Schrad.,  Nov.   PI.  Gen.,  p.   14,  t.  iv., 

f.  5—6  (1797). 

Cribraria  splendens,  Pers.  Syn.,  p.  191  (1801). 
Trichia  splendens,  Poir.,  Ency.,  1.  c.  viii.,  no.  28  (1808). 


Cribraria.  65 

Cribraria  dictydioides,  Cke.  and  Balf. 

Sporangia  globose,  stipitate,  dingy  ochraceous,  calyculus 
absent ;  permanent  ribs  broad  and  flattened  below,  anastomosing 
laterally,  filled  with  granules,  passing  upwards  into  numerous 
elongated  or  irregularly  angular,  prominently  convex,  coloured 
nodes  containing  granules,  and  connected  at  various  points  by 
very  thin,  colourless  threads;  stem  elongated,  slightly  thinner 
upwards,  straight  or  flexuous,  from  dirty  ochraceous  to  brown; 
spores  globose,  almost  colourless,  minutely  verrucose,  5 — 7  /* 
diameter. 

Cribraria  dictydioides,  Cke.  and  Balf.,  Rav.  Fung.  Amer., 
475. 

(Type  in  Herb.  Kew.) 

On  wood.     Aiken,  S.  Carolina,  and  Philadelphia,  U.  S. 

Gregarious,  about  3  mm.  high.  The  permanent  portion  of 
the  sporangium  closely  resembles  that  of  C.  argillacea,  but  in 
the  latter  the  spores  are  warted  and  the  sporangium  sessile. 
The  present  species  also  agrees  with  C.  microcarpa  in  the 
absence  of  a  calyculus,  but  in  the  last-named  species  every 
part  of  the  permanent  portion  consists  of  irregularly  stellate 
nodes  connected  by  thin  bands,  and  the  spores  are  warted. 
In  G.  dictydioides,  the  nodes  of  the  upper  portion  of  the  net- 
work are  convex  and  very  prominent.  The  stern  is  sometimes 
branched,  or  composed  of  two  or  three  stems  more  or  less 
completely  blended  together. 

Cribraria  argillacea,  Pers.  (f.  105 — 107). 

Sporangia  crowded  or  scattered,  shortly  stipitate  or  sessile, 
subglobose  or  broadly  pyriform,  thin  portions  of  sporangium 
very  pwsisl&nt,  dirty  ochraceous,  shining,  calyculus  absent ; 
thickened  portions  of  sporangium  in  the  form  of  long,  more 
or  less  parallel,  laterally  connected  ribs,  passing  upwards  into 
an  irregular  network  with  irregular  nodes  containing  granules ; 
the  internodes  have  frequently  a  central,  swollen,  fusiform, 
granular  portion;  mass  of  spores  dingy  ochre;  spores  globose, 
minutely  warted,  5 — 7  p  diameter. 

F 


66  A  Monograph  of  the  Myxogastres. 

Cribraria  argillacea,  Pers.,  Obs.,  i.,  p.  90 ;  Rost.,  Mon.,  239  ; 
Cooke,  Myx.  Brit.,  59;  Sacc.,  Syll.,  1418;  Raunk.,  p.  51, 
t.  ii.,  f.  8. 

Exsicc. — Cooke,  Fung.  Brit.,  ser.  ii.,  526. 

On  wood.  Britain  (Smethwick,  Brandon,  Carlisle) ;  Germany ; 
Denmark ;  France ;  United  States. 

Characterized  by  the  sessile  or  subsessile  sporangia,  absence 
of  calyculus,  and  in  the  granular  swellings  of  the  thickened 
portions  of  the  capillitium  not  being  confined  to  the  nodes. 

(Rostafinski's  Synonyms.) 

Stemonitis  sphaerocarpa,  Schr.,  Bot.  Mag.,  xii.  20  (1790). 

Stemonitis  argillacea,  Pers.,  in  Gmel.,  1409  (1796). 

Cribraria  argillacea,  Pers.,  Obs.,  i.  90  (1796);   B.  and   Br., 

Ann.  Nat.  Hist.  (1865),  no.  1036;   Cooke,  Hdbk.,  1168; 

Fung.  Eritt.,  ii.  526. 

Cribraria  micropus,  Schrad.,  t.  ii.,  f.  1 — 2  (1797). 
Trichia  argillacea,  Poir.,  Ency.,  viii.,  no.  32  (1808). 

*  Network  not  thickened  at  the  angles. 

Cribraria  minutissinia,  Sz. 

Sporangia  globose,  stipitate,  calyculus  absent,  permanent  ribs 
thin,  forming  a  more  or  less  uniform  reticulation ;  angles  not  at 
all,  or  very  slightly  enlarged,  rarely  enclosing  a  few  granules ; 
stem  filiform,  larger  than  sporangium,  erect  or  curved  above, 
brownish;  spores  globose,  almost  colourless,  minutely  warted, 
4 — 6  p.  diameter. 

Cribraria  minutissinia,  Schweinitz,  in  Syn.  Fung.  Amer.  Bor., 
no.  2362;  Rost,  Mon.,  App.,  p.  31  (Excl.  Syn.  C.  minima, 
B.  and  C.) ;  Sacc.,  Syll.,  1405  (Excl.  Syn.  C.  minima,  B. 
and  C.). 

(Specimen  in  Hb.  B.  from  Schweinitz.) 

On  decaying  pine  wood.     United  States. 

Scattered,  very  minute,  from  '5 — 1  mm.  high,  recognized  at 
once  by  the  absence  of  a  calyculus  and  absence  of  enlarged, 


Dictydium.  67 

angles   in    the   network.     Stem  from    2 — 3   times  as   long  as 
sporangium. 

DICTYDIUM,  Schrad. 

Wall  of  sporangium  single;  permanent  rib-like  thickened 
portions  radiating  from  base  to  apex  and  joined  by  numerous 
thinner  transverse  bands;  thinner  portions  of  wall  situated 
between  the  ribs  disappearing  at  maturity,  or  persistent  at  the 
base  and  forming  an  imperforate  calyculus ;  columella  and 
capillitium  absent. 

Dictydium,  Schrad.,  Nov.  Gen.  PL,  p.  11 ;  Host.,  Mon., 
p.  229 ;  Cooke,  Myx.  Brit.,  p.  57 ;  Sacc.,  Syll.,  p.  410 ;  Zopf, 
p.  140. 

The  primary,  vein-like,  permanent  portions  of  the  sporangium 
radiate  from  the  base  and  converge  at  the  apex  without 
becoming  much  broken  up  or  distorted,  although  there  is 
usually  an  indication  of  a  reticulate  arrangement  near  the  apex ; 
these  primary  ribs  are  united  laterally  by  straight,  thinner 
portions,  hence  the  arrangement  of  the  skeleton  is  into  more 
or  less  regular  rectangular  meshes. 

Distrib.  Europe;  N.America;  S.  America ;  Ceylon ;  Australia  : 
species  2. 

Dictydium  cernuum,  Nees.  (f.  133). 

Sporangium  globose,  cernuous,  more  or  less  umbilicate  at 
the  apex,  reddish  brown;  stem  elongated,  slightly  thinner 
upwards,  with  a  sharp  curve  near  the  apex,  above  which  the 
stem  is  hyaline  and  shrivelled  at  maturity;  below  the  curve 
dark  brown,  opaque,  smooth,  passing  into  a  small  hypothallus  ; 
calyculus  small ;  mass  of  spores  purple  brown ;  spores  globose, 
smooth,  5 — 7  n  diameter. 

Dictydium  cernuum,  Nees.,  Syst.,  f.  117;  Host.,  Mon.,  p.  229, 
figs.  17,  19,  22;  Cooke,  Myx.  Brit.,  p.  57,  figs.  17,  19,  22; 
Sacc.,  Syll.,  no.  1401;  Schroeter,  p.  106;  Raunk.,  p.  51,  Tab. 
ii.  fig.  4. 

Dictydium  cernuum,  var.  laxum,  B.  and  C.,  Grev.  1873,  p.  67. 

Exsicc—  Fuckel,  Fung.  Rhen.,  1445   and    2099;   Syd.,  Myc. 


68  A   Monograph  of  the  Myxogastres. 

March.,  164;  Rab.,  Fung.  Eur.,  2519;  Jack,  Leiner.  &c.,  422 ; 
Rav.,  Fung.  Car.,  78 ;  Rav.,  Fung.  Amer.,  476 ;  Ellis,  N.  Amer. 
Fung.,  1122. 

On  decaying  wood,  especially  pine.  Britain  (Milton,  Norths  ; 
Kew,  Suffolk,  Scarboro',  Carlisle,  Appin,  N.  B.) ;  Germany ; 
Sweden;  Finland;  Belgium;  Denmark;  Hungary;  United 
States ;  S.  America ;  Ceylon. 

Gregarious,  1 — 1'5  mm.  high;  the  stem  varies  from  2 — 3 
times  as  long  as  the  sporangium;  the  lower  three-fourths  is 
erect,  blackish-brown,  and  opaque ;  at  the  top  of  this  erect 
portion  there  is  a  sharp  curve,  above  which  the  pendulous 
portion  of  the  stem  consists,  at  maturity,  of  a  colourless, 
shrivelled  membrane,  from  which  the  sporangium  hangs  sus- 
pended, and  easily  moved  by  wind  or  insects ;  in  all  probability 
this  peculiar  structure  of  the  stem  is  connected  with  spore- 
dissemination.  The  inner  (surface  of  the  calyculus  and  the 
ribs  are  furnished  with  numerous  dark  brown  granular  masses 
of  organic  matter. 

(Rostafinski's  Synonyms.) 

Mucor  canccllatus,  Batsch,  f.  232  (1789). 

Stcmonitis  cancellata,  Gmel.,  Syst.,  1468  (1791). 

Sfthaerocarpus  trichioidcs,  Bull.,  p.  124  (1791). 

Cribraria  cernua,  Pers.,  Obs.,  i.  91  (1796). 

Dictydium,  umbilicatum,  Schrad.,  t.  iv.,  f.  1  (1797);  Fr.,  S.  M., 

iii.  165;  Berk.,  Eng.  Fl.,  v.  p.  318;   Cooke,  Hdbk.,  1165, 

fig.  134. 

Dictydium  airibigvwm,  Schrad.,  t.  iv.,  f.  2  (1797). 
Trichia  cernua,  Poir.,  Ency.,  viii.,  no.  25  (1808). 
Dictydium  ccrnuum,  Nees.,  f.  117  (1816). 
Dictydium  trichioidcs,  Chev.,  Fl.  Par.,  327  (1827) ;  Corda  Ic., 

v.,  f.  36. 

Dictydium  venosum,  Schrad. 

Sporangium  globose,  cernuous,  brownish-yellow  owing  to 
the  spore-mass  showing  through  the  translucent  wall,  which  is 


Dictydium.  69 

almost  colourless  when  empty  and  furnished  with  0 — 12  darker 
coloured  ribs  giving  off  lateral,  free,  not  anastomosing  branches ; 
stem  elongated,  flexuous,  brownish. 

Dictydium  venosum,  Schrader,  Nov.  Gen.,  p.  14,  pi.  iii.,  fig.  6 ; 
Sacc.,  Syll,  v.  7,  pt.  I.,  no.  1412  ? 

On  rotten  prostrate  trunks  of  pine.     Germany. 

It  is  doubtful  whether  the  species  described  by  Berlese  in 
Sacc.,  Syll.,  1.  c.,  is  the  species  intended  by  Schrader. 


COLUMELLIFERAE.    - 

The  most  pronounced  features  of  the  present  section  are  the 
presence  of  a  central  columella,  which  in  most  instances  is  a 
direct  continuation  of  the  stem  within  the  peridium,  and  the 
absence  of  lime  from  every  part.  The  two  sub-sections  as 
defined  appear  distinct,  but  this,  as  usual,  is  only  true  of  the 
two  poles,  and  curiously  enough,  transitions  have  been  met 
with  where  they  would  have  been  least  expected.  In  the 
Lamprodermeae,  characterized  by  the  capillitium  springing  from 
the  apex  of  the  columella,  we  find  this  character  fairly  satis- 
factory in  the  typical  genus  Lamproderma,  and  yet  more  rigidly 
carried  out  in  Encrthcnema,  where  the  copious  capillitium 
originates  entirely  from  a  peltate  disc  springing  from  the  apex 
of  the  columella  after  the  latter  has  passed  quite  through  the 
sporangium;  yet  we  find  in  the  genus  Ancyropliorus  all  the 
characteristics  presented  by  the  genus  Enerthenema,  plus  a  few 
scattered  branches  springing  from  various  points  of  the  columella 
throughout  its  length,  in  addition  to  the  main  bulk  of  the 
capillitium  which  originates  from  the  apical  disc  as  in  Ener- 
thenema. The  branches  of  the  capillitium  springing  from  the 
columella  are  again  broken  up  into  smaller  and  smaller  branch- 
lets,  which  usually  combine  to  form  an  irregular  network.  The 
sporangial  wall  is  always  very  thin  and  blackish  in  colour  and 
remarkable  for  its  brilliant  metallic  tints,  and  also  for  its 
ephemeral  nature,  disappearing  entirely  or  in  part  as  the  spores 
approach  maturity,  or  as  in  the  genus  Orthotrichia  being  absent 


70 


A  Monograph  of  the  Myxogastres. 


from  the  earliest  condition.  In  Lamproderma  molaceum  the 
columella  is  filled  with  large  spherical,  or1  from  mutual  pressure, 
polyhedral  cells,  a  character  repeated  in  the  stem  of  several 
species  of  Arcyria.  The  three  genera  Amaurochaete,  Brefeldia, 
and  Eeticularia  are  only  known  in  the  aethalioid  condition,  and 
superficially  appear  quite  isolated  from  the  remaining  genera, 
but  structurally  are  nothing  more  than  confluent  forms  of  such 
genera  as  Stemonitis  and  Lamproderma.  Comatricha  confluens 
is  a  connecting  link  between  the  two  extremes.  According  to 
the  preconceived  idea  that  the  presence  of  a  columella  is  of 
sectional  importance,  the  genus  Siplwptychium  belongs  to  the 
present  division,  nevertheless  its  affinity  with  the  Peritricheae 
is  obvious. 

The  following  arrangement  indicates  the  affinities  of  the 
genera  included  in  the  Columellifcrae,  and  the  points  of  contact 
with  other  sections. 


STEMONITIS. A  ncyroplwrus. 

BREFELDIA. Rostajituskia. 

AMAUROCHAETE. 
RETICULARIA. 


LAMPRODERMA.- 

I 
Echiiwstelium. 

I 
Orthoiricha. 

Raciborskia. 


w 


K         " 

-B — pq 

f**^ 

«       O 

H 
i— i 

3 


Siph  optychiiim . 
TUBULIXA. 

PERITRICHEAE. 


Stemonitae.  7 1 

ANALYSIS   OF   THE  GENERA. 

Sub-sect.    STEMONITAE. 
A.     Sporangia  free. 

STEMONITIS.  Capillitium  threads  springing  from  all  sides 
of  an  elongated  columella. 

B.  Sporangia  forming  an  aethalium. 

Siphoptychium.  Sporangia  straight,  parallel,  each  containing 
a  central  columella. 

AMAUEOCHAETE.  A  large,  pulvinate  aethalium,  bifurcating 
branches  of  capillitium  connected  for  some  distance  by  a  thin 
membrane. 

BREFELDIA.  Aethalium  large,  threads  of  capillitium  with 
clusters  of  vesicular  bodies. 

Eostafinskia.     Threads  of  lower  portion  of  capillitium  septate. 

RETICULARIA.  Aethalium  pulvinate;  capillitium  threads 
forming  an  irregular  network  without  vesicles  or  flat  mem- 
branous expansions. 

Sub-sect.    LAMPRODERMAE. 

ENERTHENEMA.  Threads  of  capillitium  springing  from  a 
flattened  disc  at  the  apex  of  the  columella. 

Ancyrophorus.  Threads  of  capillitium  springing  from  a 
flattened  disc  at  the  apex  of  the  columella,  and  also  from  the 
columella  throughout  its  length. 

LAMPRODERMA.  Threads  of  capillitium  springing  from  the 
abrupt  apex  of  the  short  columella. 

Echinostelium.  Columella  absent ;  capillitium  springing  from 
apex  of  stem. 

Raciborskia.  Wall  of  sporangium  absent,  main  branches  of 
capillitium  springing  from  apex  of  a  short  columella,  becoming 
branched,  branches  forming  a  network. 

Orthotricha.     Sporangial  wall  absent  from  the  first. 


72  A  Monograph  of  the  Myxogastres. 

Sub-Sect.    I.      STEMONtTAE. 

STEMONITIS,  Gled. 

Sporangia  cylindrical,  ovate,  or  globose,  stipitate;  stem  con- 
tinuing into  the  sporangium  as  a  columella  of  greater  or  less 
length,  and  giving  origin  to  numerous  branches  throughout  its 
length,  which  combine  to  form  a  dense,  irregular  network ; 
wall  of  sporangium  thin,  soon  disappearing,  often  with  metallic 
tints. 

Stemonitis,  Gleditsch,  Meth.,  p.  141 ;  Host.,  Mon.,  p.  193  (in 
part);  Cke.,  Myx.  Brit,  p.  46  (in  part);  Sacc.,  Syll.,  vii.,  pt.  I., 
p.  397. 

ComatricJia,  Preuss.  in  Sturm's  Deutschl.  (in  part)  ;^  Rost., 
Mon.,  p.  197  (in  part) ;  Cke.,  Myx.  Brit.,  p.  47  (in  part) ;  Sacc., 
Syll.,  vii.,  p.  394. 

The  genus  Comatricha  was  distinguished  according  to  Preuss 
by  the  globose  or  shortly  elliptical  sporangium  from  the  species 
of  Stemonitis,  a  character  shown  by  Rostafinski  to  be  untenable, 
hence  the  last-named  author  used  characters  supposed  to  be 
presented  by  the  capillitium  for  the  separation  of  the  two 
genera.  In  Comatricha  the  meshes  of  the  network  are  arcuate 
or  curved,  and  not  attached  to  the  wall  of  the  sporangium, 
by  short  branches,  whereas  in  Stemonitis  the  threads  are  not 
arcuate  at  the  surface,  and  the  capillitium  is  attached  to  the 
wall  in  numerous  places  by  short  branches.  These  characters, 
not  being  constant,  and  furthermore  overlapping  in  the  two 
genera,  cannot  be  considered  as  of  generic  value,  neither  in  my 
opinion  would  they  be  so  even  if  constant. 

Distrib.  Scattered  over  temperate  and  tropical  regions. 
Species  23. 

A.     Spores  blackish  brown  in  the  mass. 
§  S2>ores  wartxl. 

Stemonitis  fusca,  Rost.  (figs.  155 — 157  and  162 — 164). 
Densely  grcgarioiis,  springing  from  a  well-developed,  broadly 


Stemonitis.  73 

spreading  hypothallus ;  sporangia  cylindrical,  obtuse  or  attenu- 
ated at  the  apex,  wall  thin,  evanescent ;  blackish  with  metallic 
tints ;  stem  slender,  equal,  shorter  than  the  sporangium,  blackish, 
shining;  columella  reaching  nearly  to  apex  of  sporangium; 
capillitium  dense,  threads  blackish,  tapering,  combined  into  a 
dense,  irregular  net,  the  peripheral  meshes  smaller  or  equal  to 
the  spores  in  diameter :  spores  in  the  mass  Hack,  with  violet  tinge, 
dingy  violet  by  transmitted  light,  globose,  varying  from  dis- 
tinctly verrucose  to  almost  smooth,  size  also  variable,  from 
5 — 11  jut  diameter. 

Stemonitis  fusca,  Host.,  Mon.,  p.  193,  fig.  40;  Cke.,  Myx.  Brit., 
p.  46,  fig.  40 ;  Sacc.,  Syll.,  n.  1362. 

JExsicc.— Roum.,  Fung.  Sel.  Gall.  (ReL  Moug.);  Ellis,  N. 
Amer.  Fung.,  1119 ;  Fckl.,  Fung.  Rhen.,  1149;  Holl,  Schmidt, 
and  Kunze,  Deutschlands  Schwamme,  n.  cix. ;  Cke.,  Fung.  Brit., 
Ed.  ii.,  n.  522 ;  Fung.  Cub.  Wrightiani,  n.  538 ;  Roum.,  Fung. 
Gall.,  Cent.  xiv.  (number  indistinct). 

On  rotten  wood,  &c.  Britain  (Bournemouth,  Kew,  Ilfra- 
combe,  Epping ;  Bulmer,  Yorks ;  Carlisle,  Aboyne) ;  Europe ; 
N.  America ;  Cuba ;  Venezuela ;  Natal ;  Mauritius ;  Himalayas ; 
Ceylon;  Victoria;  Tasmania. 

From  5 — 14  mm.  high.  The  only  large  British  species  with 
a  small  meshed  capillitium  and  spores  blackish  violet  in  the 
mass. 

(Rostafinski's  Synonyms.) 

Lycoperdon  capite  cylindracea,  Rupp.  Jenn.,  304  (1718). 

ClathroidastriLin  obscurum,  Mich.,  t.  94,  f.  1  (1729). 

Enibolus  nigerrimus,  Hall,  t.  i.,  f.  1  (1742). 

Clathrus  nudus.  Linn.,  Fl.  Suec.,  1263  (1745). 

Stemonitis  I,  Gled.,  Meth.,  141  (1753). 

Embolus,  Hall,  2137,  t.  48,  f.  1  (1768). 

Tubulifera  cremor,  Fl.  Dan.,  t.  659,  f.  1  (1777). 

Tremella  typhina,  Willd.  Fl.  Ber.,  420  (1787). 

Mucor  araneosus,  Jacq.  Misc.,  t.  15  (1778). 

Stemonitis  fusca,  Roth.  Mag.  Bot.,  p.  26  (1782);  Ehr.  Ber., 
f.  5 ;  Grev.,  S.  C.  Fl.,  t.  170 ;  Corda  Ic.,  ii.,  f.  87 ;  Eng.  FL, 
v.,  317;  Cooke,  Hdbk.,  1155,  fig.  132,  Fung  Britt.,  ii.,  522. 


74  A  Monograph  of  the  Myxogastres. 

Trichia  nuda,  With.  Arr.,  iv.,  477  (1792). 
Stemonitis  fasciculata,  Pers.,  Syn.,  187  (1801). 
Stemonitis  typhoides,  Auct. 

Stemonitis  maxima,  Sz. 

Sporangia  crowded,  stipitate,  springing  from  a  well-developed 
hypothallus;  sporangia  cylindrical;  wall  blackish,  reflecting 
metallic  tints,  evanescent;  columella  reaching  almost  to  the 
apex  of  the  sporangium;  capillitium  dense,  branches  often 
arcuate,  sometimes  more  or  less  irregularly  dilated,  especially 
at  the  nodes,  peripheral  meshes  much  larger  than  the  diameter 
of  the  spores;  mass  of  spores  blackish  broum;  spores  globose, 
very  minutely  verruculose,  5 — 10  //.  diameter;  stem  filiform, 
black,  shining,  shorter  than  the  sporangium. 

Stemonitis  maxima,  Schweinifz,  Syn.  Fung.  Amer.,  n.  2349 
(specimen  from  Schweinitz  in  Herb.  Berk.,  Kew,  n.  10835). 

Stemonitis  splendens,  Rost.,  Mon.,  p.  195 ;  Sacc.,  Syll.,  vii.  1, 
n.  1364.  (Authentic  specimen  named  by  Rostafinski. ) 

On  wood,  &c.  Russia ;  Finland ;  France ;  Ceylon ;  Mauritius ; 
Cuba ;  United  States ;  Australia ;  Cape  of  Good  Hope. 

A  fine  large  species,  distinguished  amongst  the  dark-spored 
species  by  the  large  peripheral  meshes  of  the  capillitium. 
Lumps  of  organic  matter  are  sometimes  met  with  in  consider- 
able quantities  on  the  threads  of  the  capillitium ;  1*5 — 3  cm. 
high. 

Stemonitis  typhina,  Mass. 

Gregarious,  but  not  usually  crowded,  springing  from  a  delicate 
hypothallus;  sporangia  cylindrical,  obtuse  at  both  ends,  wall 
very  thin,  brownish,  disappearing;  columella  reaching  to  the 
apex,  capillitium  dense,  threads  originating  at  numerous  points 
from  the  columella,  dingy  brown,  copiously  branched  and  form- 
ing a  dense,  irregular  network,  thickest  at  the  point  of  origin 
and  tapering  towards  the  periphery  where  they  are  very  slender, 
and  form  a  network  of  irregular  pattern,  with  the  meshes  usually 
not  larger  than  the  diameter  of  the  spores ;  stem  erect,  slender, 
cylindrical,  usually  rather  shorter  than  the  sporangium,  blackish ; 


Stemonitis.  75 

mass  of  spores  Irownish-llack,  lilac-brown  by  transmitted  light, 
globose,  very  minutely  asperate,  5 — 8  /x  diameter. 

Rostafinski  gives  the  following  forms,  but  it  is  not  unusual 
to  meet  with  both  in  the  same  cluster. 

a.  Genuina. — Sporangium  with  stem  2£ — 4  mm.  high. 

/3.  Pumila. — Sporangium  with  stem  2  mm.  high. 

Comatricha  typhina,  Host,  Mon.,  p.  198,  figs.  46,  47;  Cke., 
Myx.  Brit.,  p.  47,  figs.  46,  47;  Sacc.,  Syll.,  vii.,  n.  1355. 

On  rotten  wood.  Britain  (Lyndhurst,  Kew,  Scarboro',  Car- 
lisle, Aboyne,  N.  B.);  Europe;  U.  States;  Cuba;  Ceylon; 
New  Zealand. 

From  4 — 7  mm.  high.  Closely  allied  to  0.  pulchella,  but 
distinguished  by  the  dark  brown  colour  of  the  spores  in  the 


*o 
mass. 


(Rostafinski's  Synonyms.) 

Clathroidastrum  obscunom,  Mich.,  t.  94,  f.  2  (1729). 

Mucor  capitulo  fusco,  Scop.,  Fl.  Cam.,  66  (1760). 

Mucor  Stemonitis,  Scop.,  Fl.  Cam.,  493  (1772);  Schpf.,  t.  296. 

Enibolus  lacteus,  Jacq.,  Muse.  1,  t.  6  (1778). 

Clathrus  nudus,  Fl.  Dan.,  t.  755  (1782). 

Clathrus  fertusus,  Batsch,  f.  176  (1753). 

Stemonitis  typhina,  Roth.  Fl.   Germ.,   1,   547  (1788);    Pers., 

Obs.,  1,  57. 

Stemonitis  filicina,  Schrk.,  Fl.  Bav.,  1782  (1789). 
Trichia  typhoides,  Bull.,  t.  477,  f.  2  (1791). 
Stemonitis  typhoides,  D.  C.,  Fl.  Fr.,  ii.,  257  (1805);   Cooke, 

Hdbk.,  n.  1157. 
Stemonitis  bicolor,  Fries,  Herb. 
Stemonitis  leucopoda,  Fr.  Gast.,  16  (1817). 
Stemonitis  pumila,  Corda  Ic.,  v.,  p.  37  (1842). 

Stemonitis  macrosperma,  Mass. 

Sporangia  naked,  stipitate ;  stem  continued  into  the  sporan- 
gium as  a  columella,  reaching  nearly  to  the  apex,  threads  of 
capillitium  passing  from  the  columella  to  the  wall  and  pro- 


76  A  Monograph  of  the  Myxogastres. 

ducing  very  much  thinner  branchlets,  which  are  combined 
amongst  themselves  at  all  points  to  form  a  rather  loose  net- 
work, the,  peripheral  meshes  of  the  network  formed  of  combined, 
arcuate  threads,  and  slightly  smaller  than  the  rest,  especially 
towards  the  base  of  the  capillitium ;  spores  9 — 12  jx,  diameter, 
pale  violet,  verruculose. 

Stemonitis  macrosperma,  Racib.,  Myx.  Crac.,  p.  8 ;  Sacc.,  Syll., 
vii.,  1,  n.  1361. 

Var.  obovata.  Racib.,  sporangia  obovate,  0*5 — 0'75  mm. 
broad.  With  the  type. 

Var.  oblonga.  Racib.,  sporangia  oblong,  0'75 — 1  mm.  long, 
0'3 — 0'5  mm.  broad.  With  the  type. 

Poland. 

Stemonitis  Suksdorfii,  Mass. 

Gregarious,  stipitate,  sporangia  cylindrical,  very  obtuse  at 
both  ends,  wall  iridescent,  evanescent;  stem  blackish-brown, 
shining,  about  equal  in  length  to  sporangium,  tapering  upwards, 
rather  stout,  becoming  dilated  at  the  base  into  a  hypothallus ; 
spores  in  the  mass  blackish-purple.  Columella  rather  thick, 
sub-equal,  blackish,  usually  becoming  abruptly  divided  into 
branches  at  some  distance  below  the  apex  of  the  sporangium; 
sometimes  more  or  less  flattened  at  the  apex,  and  with  a 
tendency  to  become  discoid ;  capillitium  exceedingly  dense,  dark, 
main  branches  originating  from  the  columella;  stout,  taper- 
ing, branches  arcuate,  combined  to  form  an  irregular,  small- 
meshed  network;  spores  bright  lilac,  minutely  warted,  7 — 8  /x 
diameter. 

Comatricha  Suksdorfii,  Ellis  and  Everh. 

On  wood,  bark,  &c.     United  States. 

(Described  from  a  portion  of  type  specimen  communicated 
by  Wingate.) 

From  5 — 6  mm.  high. 

Stemonitis  affinis,  Mass. 

Sporangia  cylindrical,  obtuse,  up  to  2  mm.  high ;  stem  from 
its  shortness  scarcely  distinct :  columella  reaching  almost  to  apex 


Stemonitis.  7  7 

of  the  sporangium,  then  dividing  into  2 — 5  branches ;  threads 
of  capillitium  much  more  rigid  at  the  base  than  in  the  ulterior, 
very  loose  network,  node's  often  triangular,  ultimate  branches 
arcuate,  transversely  joined,  some  free  and  excurrent;  spores 
pale  violet,  warted,  5 — 6  fi  diameter. 

Comatricha  affinis,  Host.,  Mon.,  p.  202;  Sacc.,  Syll.,  vii.,  1 
n.  1359. 

Germany. 

Stemonitis  confluens,  Cke.  and  Ellis. 

Forming  compact  tufts  about  2  mm.  high,  from  8 — 15 ; 
individuals  spring  from  a  firm,  spreading,  venulose  hypothallus ; 
stems  usually  simple  and  distinct,  dark  brown,  wrinkled  to- 
wards the  base,  about  *5  mm.  high,  then  "breaking  up  into 
from  2 — 4  main  branches  or  columellas  which  anastomose  later- 
ally with  those  of  other  individuals  forming  an  irregular 
plasmodiocarp,  covered  with  a  blackish-violet,  evanescent, 
common  cortex;  mass  of  spores  Hack  with  violet  tinge;  the 
main  branches  springing  from  the  columellas  form  a  dense 
network,  threads  arcuate,  many  of  the  meshes  closed  by  a 
thin  membrane  ;  spores  globose,  dingy  violet,  minutely  warted, 
7 — 8  j-t,  diameter. 

Stemonitis  conjluens,  Cke.  and  Ellis,  Grev.,  vol.  v.,  p.  51. 
.     Comatricha  conjluens,  C.  and  E.,  Myx.,  U.  States,  p.  396. 

On  oak  bark.     United  States. 

A  very  interesting  species,  and  highly  instructive  in  showing 
how  the  fundamental  simple  form  becomes  modified  by  con- 
fluence. The  general  mass  of  the  plasmodiocarp  is  sometimes 
spherico-depressed,  and  even  at  others  the  columella  of  one 
individual  of  the  colony  remains  simple  and  projects  above 
the  mass  as  a  finger-like  projection;  in  others  all  the  individuals 
are  more  or  less  free  at  the  tips.  When  the  wall  and  spores 
are  completely  blown  away,  the  resemblance  of  the  capillitium 
to  that  of  Reticularia  is  striking. 


78  A  Monograph  of  the  Myxogastres. 

§  §  Spores  smooth. 
Stemonitis  atra,  Mass.  (n.  sp.). 

Scattered ;  sporangia  cylindric-ovate,  black,  slightly  iridescent ; 
stem  twice  as  long  as  sporangium,  thin,  equal,  dull,  black, 
expanding  at  the  base  into  a  minute,  circular  hypothallus ;  mass 
of  spores  brown  with  a  lilac  tinge ;  columella  as  thick  as  the 
stem,  equal,  reaching  to  apex  of  sporangium;  main  branches 
scattered,  remaining  simple  for  a  short  distance  then  branching 
and  forming  a  network,  the  meshes  becoming  smaller  towards 
the  periphery  where  they  equal  the  spores  in  diameter ;  all  the 
branches  of  the  network  of  equal  thickness,  very  stout,  3'5 — 4  /* 
diameter  ;  dark  brown ;  spores  globose,  dingy  lilac-brown,  smooth, 
10  n  diameter. 

On  wood.     New  Zealand. 

Remarkable  in  the  scattered  habit,  6 — 8  mm.  high.  Readily 
distinguished  by  the  very  thick  threads  of  the  capillitium. 
The  columella  sometimes  breaks  up  into  branches  a  short 
distance  below  the  apex  of  the  sporangium. 

Stemonitis   acuminata,  Mass.  (n.  sp.). 

Gregarious,  or  often  densely  crowded  on  a  well-developed, 
iridescent  hypothallus  ;  sporangia  cylindrical,  elongato-acuminate 
at  the  apex;  wall  blackish-purple,  iridescent,  disappearing; 
stem  equal  to  or  shorter  than  sporangium,  filiform,  slightly 
attenuated  upwards;  blackish,  shining;  mass  of  spores  black 
with  purple  tinge;  capillitium  continuing  to  the  apex  of  the 
sporangium,  primary  branches  scattered,  short,  supporting  a 
network  of  irregularly  polygonal  meshes  which  are  large  and 
everywhere  of  equal  size,  40 — 50  p  in  diameter ;  spores  globose, 
smooth,  13 — 14  jx  diameter. 

On  rotten  wood.     Cape  of  Good  Hope  (Table  Mountain). 

Agreeing  with  Stemonitis  Morgani  in  the  large-meshed 
capillitium,  but  distinguished  by  the  acuminate  apex  of  the 
sporangium  and  the  larger  spores ;  1*5  cm.  high. 


Stemonitis.  79 

Stemonitis  Bauerlinii,  Mass.  (n.  sp.). 

Densely  gregarious  on  a  well-developed,  firm  hypothallus; 
sporangia  elongato-fusiform,  wall  blackish,  iridescent,  very 
evanescent,  mass  of  spores  black  with  a  violet  tinge ;  stem  erect, 
black,  shining,  slightly  tapering  from  the  base;  columella  ex- 
tending to  apex  of  sporangium ;  flexuous  above ;  capillitium  of 
lower  half  of  sporangium  of  large,  equal  meshes  which  are  peri- 
pheral only  and  supported  on  distant,  thin,  simple  or  rarely  divided 
branches  springing  from  the  columella,  the  main  branches  become 
more  and  more  numerous,  thicker,  and  irregular  towards  the  apex 
of  the  sporangium,  and  often  form  irregular,  flattened  expansions ; 
the  branches  forming  the  net  are  also  much  thicker,  and  the  meshes 
irregular,  and  not  all  peripheral  as  towards  the  base  of  the 
sporangium;  many  of  the  branches  of  the  network  towards  the 
apex  with  short  free  ends;  spores  globose,  smooth,  5 — 6  f* 
diameter. 

On  wood.     New  Guinea  (Strickland  River). 
'From   l-5 — 2  cm.  high.     Distinguished   by  the   capillitium 
being  very  scanty  and  the  network  being  entirely  peripheral 
below,  becoming  very  dense  towards  the  apex. 

Stemonitis  laxa,  Mass. 

Sporangia  spherical,  scarcely  "5  mm.  diameter;  stem  rigid, 
black,  not  attaining  to  1  mm.  in  length;  columella  almost 
reaching  to  apex  of  sporangium,  and  then  dividing  into  2 — 3 
branches ;  threads  of  the  capillitium  of  equal  width  throughout, 
very  rigid,  forming  a  regular,  lax  network,  ultimate  branches 
arcuate,  connected  by  transverse  bands,  some  remaining  free  and 
furcately  divided;  spores  smooth,  lilac,  9 — 11  ju,  diameter. 

Comatricha  laxa,  Host.,  Mon.,  p.  201 ;  Sacc.,  Syll.,  vii.,  1, 
no.  1358. 

Germany. 

Stemonitis  flummensis,  Speg. 

Hypothallus  very  thin,  broadly  effused,  mucedinous,  black, 
rather  shining ;  stem  erect,  rather  rigid,  shining,  black,  0'5 — 1 


80  A  Monograph  of  the  Myxogastres. 

mm.  long,  07 — 0'6  mm.  thick;  smooth  when  moist,  rugulose 
when  dry,  sub-contorted,  extended  into  the  sporangium  as  a 
columella,  not  reaching  to  the  apex;  sporangium  cylindrical, 
rarely  sub-clavate,  rounded  at  both  ends,  O8 — 1*2  mm.  long, 
0'3 — 0'2  mm.  thick,  black,  opaque,  wall  persistent  for  a  long 
time;  capillitium  springing  from  the  columella,  forming  a 
rather  dense  network,  the  superficial  meshes  equal  to  or  twice  the 
diameter  of  the  spores,  with  uncinate  free  tips ;  spores  globose 
or  sub-elliptical,  5 — 8  /u  diameter,  perfectly  smooth,  smoky  brown. 

Stemonitis  Jluminensis,  Speg.,  Fung.  Arg.,  N.  261 ;  Sacc.,  Syll, 
vii.,  1,  n.  1366. 

On  bark,  moss,  &c.     Brazil. 

Stemonitis  subcaespitosa,  Mass. 

Stems  subcaespitose  or  loteely  clustered,  thickened  at  the 
base,  about  half  the  length  of  the  sporangia,  extending  through 
the  capillitium  as  a  columella;  peridia  ovate-oblong,  obtuse, 
fugacious ;  capillitium  growing  from  the  columella,  reticulately 
connected  and  also  forming  a  superficial  net  with  coarse  meshes, 
blackish ;  spores  globose,  even,  (smooth  ?),  blackish-brown, 
•0004 — -00045  in.  in  diameter. 

Comatricha  subcaespitosa,  Peck,  43rd  Report,  New  York  State, 
Mus.  Nat.  Hist.  (1890),  p.  25,  PL  iii.,  figs.  6—9. 

Decorticated  wood  of  hemlock.  Tsuga  Canadensis.  Sandlake. 
July. 

This  species  resembles  Stemonitis  fusca  in  colour.  In  size 
it  approaches  Comatricha  typhina.  Its  capillitium  is  variously 
connected,  and  appears  to  combine  the  reticulation  of  Comatricha 
and  Stemonitis,  but  on  account  of  the  network  not  being  wholly 
parallel  to  the  walls  of  the  peridium,  it  is  placed  in  Comatricha. 
The  plants  are  mostly  connected  in  small  groups  or  loose 
clusters  of  two  to  ten  individuals.  Its  coarser  meshes  and 
larger  spores  distinguish  it  from  Comatricha  typhina.  (Peck,  1.  c.). 

Stemonitis  aequalis,  Mass. 

Gregarious  or  loosely  clustered,  about  three  lines  high,  arising 
from  a  thin  hypothallus ;  sporangia  cylindrical,  obtuse,  fugacious, 


Stemonitis.  81 

wholly  falling  away;  capillitium  brown  or  blackish-brown, 
forming  an  intricate  network ;  stem  slender,  smooth,  black, 
penetrating  the  capillitium  as  a  columella,  and  extending  nearly 
or  quite  to  the  apex,  the  free  portion  about  equal  in  length 
to  one-half  the  altitude  of  the  entire  plant;  spores  globose, 
smooth,  violet-black,  '0003' — '00035'  in  diameter  (  =  about 
8-9  p). 

Gomatricha  aequalis,  Peck,  31st  Report  of  State  Mus.,  N.  Y., 
p.  42 ;  Sacc.,  Syll.,  n.  1360. 

Decaying  wood.     Catskill  Mountains.     Sept. 

In  colour  this  species  is  almost  exactly  like  Stemonitis  fusca, 
from  which  its  more  lax  habit,  proportionally  longer  stem  and 
different  capillitium  separate  it.  The  larger  size,  both  of  the 
plant  itself  and  of  the  spores,  will  separate  it  from  ComatricJia 
typliina.  The  length  of  the  stem  and  of  the  capillitium  are 

nearly  equal,  hence  the  specific  name.     (Peck.) 
r 

Stemonitis  tenerrima,  B.  and  C. 

Gregarious ;  sporangia  cylindrical,  base  and  apex  very  obtuse, 
wall  thin,  blackish-purple,  iridescent,  evanescent;  stem  about 
equal  in  length  to  sporangium,  filiform,  blackish,  sub-equal; 
columella  reaching  nearly  or  quite  to  apex  of  sporangium ; 
primary  branches  short,  breaking  up  into  a  network,  the  meshes 
becoming  smaller  towards  the  periphery  where  they  equal  the 
spores  in  diameter,  the  threads  taper  towards  the  periphery; 
spores  in  the  mass  black  with  violet  tinge,  globose,  smooth, 
13 — 14  p,  diameter. 

Stemonitis  tenerrima,  Berk,  and  Curt.,  Grev.,  vol.  ii.,  p.  69. 
(Type  in  Herb.  Berk.,  Kew,  n.  10831.) 

On  wood.     Lower  Carolina. 

Distinguished  by  the  small  size  3'5 — 4  mm.,  cylindrical 
sporangium,  and  the  large,  smooth  spores. 

Whether  the  present  species  is  identical  with  "Stemonitis 
tenerrima  Curtis  in  Sill.,  Journ.,  1.  c.,  p.  349  (1848),"  as  quoted 
by  Rostafinski,  Mon.,  Append.,  p.  27,  I  have  no  means  of 
determining. 

G 


82  A  Monograph  of  the  Myxogastres. 

Stemonitis  Friesiana,  De  Bary. 

Scattered  or  gregarious ;  sporangia  globose  or  shortly  elliptical, 
wall  very  thin,  disappearing,  whitish  with  a  silvery  sheen  or 
purple  black;  stem  Hack,  shining,  elongated,  tapering  upwards^ 
expanding  at  the  base  into  a  small,  circular,  irregularly  ribbed 
or  latticed  hypothallus ;  columella  reaching  about  two-thirds  the 
height  of  the  sporangium,  then  breaking  up  into  several  branches, 
threads  of  capillitium  dark  brown,  arcuate,  forming  a  dense 
net;  spores  in  the  mass  blackish,  violet-brown  by  transmitted 
light,  globose,  smooth,  8 — 10  /u.  diameter. 

Stemonitis  Friesiana,  De  Bary,  in  Rab.  F.  Eng.,  n.  568. 

Comatricha  Friesiana,  Host.,  Mon.,  p.  199,  figs.  51  and  56  ; 
Cke.,  Myx.  Brit.,  p.  48,  figs.  51  and  56  ;  Sacc.,  Syll.,  vii.,  1356. 

Exsicc. — Fuckel,  Fung.  Rhtta.,  n.  1446  (as  Stemonitis  ovata). 

On  wood,  branches,  leaves,  &c. 

Britain  (Lyndhurst,  Kew,  Hereford,  York,  Carlisle,  Aboyne, 
N.  B.) ;  Europe ;  U.  States ;  Ceylon  ;  Tasmania. 

From  3 — 5  mm.  high.  The  threads  of  the  capillitium  are 
of  nearly  equal  thickness  throughout,  and  sometimes  studded 
with  amorphous  lumps  of  organic  matter.  Distinguished  by 
the  long,  tapering  stem,  and  small  globose,  or  shortly  ovate 
sporangium. 

(Rostafinski's  Synonyms.) 

Mucor  embolus,  Linn.  Sp.,  1185  (1753). 

Lycogala,  Hall,  2146?  (1768). 

Stemonitis  rcticulata,  Trent,  p.  223?  (1797). 

Stemonitis  nigra,  Pers.,  Gmel.  Sys.,  1467  (1791). 

Stemonitis  atrofusca,  Pers.,  Disp.,  11  (1797). 

Stemonitis  atrofusca,  /3  nigra,  Pers.,  Disp.,  54  (1797). 

Stemonitis  ovata,  Pers.,  Syn.,  189  (1801);  Berk.,  Eng.  Fl.,  v., 

p.  317;  Cooke,  Hdbk.,  no.  1158. 
Trichia  mucoriformis,  Schum.,  SaelL,  1469  (1803). 
Stemonitis  violacea,  Schum.,  SaelL,  1491  (1803). 
Stemonitis  nigra,  Schum.,  Saell.,  1493  (1803). 
Stemonitis  globosa,  Schum.,  Saell.,  1494  (1803). 


Stemonitis.  83 

Trichia  alba,  Sow.,  t.  259  (1818). 

Stemonitis  obtusata,  Fr.  Sym.  Gast.,  17  (1818) ;  Eng.  Fl.,  v., 

p.  317;  Cooke,  Hdbk.,  no.  1159. 
Comatricha  obtusata,  Preuss.,  Sturrn.  (1851). 
Comatricha  alba,  Preuss.  in  Sturm  (1851). 
Stemonitis  Friesiana,  De   Bary   (1870) ;   Rabh.,  Fung.  Eur., 

no.  568. 

§  §  §  Spores  reticulated. 

Stemonitis  longa,  Mass. 

Sporangia  gregarious,  slender,  cylindrical,  straight,  or  usually 
flcxuous,  very  long;  wall  evanescent;  stem  filiform,  slender, 
rather  short,  blackish ;  columella,  capillitium,  and  mass  of  spores 
brmvnish-violet ;  columella  extending  nearly  to  apex  of  sporan- 
gium, tapering  upwards;  capillitium  springing  from  the  colu- 
mella at  numerous  points  throughout  its  length,  main  branches 
soon  branching,  axils  usually  rounded,  often  occupied  for  some 
distance  by  a  thin  membrane,  sometimes  connected  laterally, 
branches  towards  the  periphery  much  branched  in  a  penicillate 
manner,  tips  free ;  spores  globose,  epispore  very  minutely  reticu- 
lated, 7 — 8  ju  diameter. 

Comatricha  longa,  Peck,  43rd  Report  of  New  York  State 
Mus.,  p.  24,  pi.  3,  f.  1—5. 

On  wood,  bark,  &c.     United  States. 

Fasciculate,  capillitium  often  curved  or  twisted  after  the  wall 
has  disappeared,  3 — 6  cm.  long. 

Stemonitis  dictyospora,  Rost.  (fig.  112). 

Sporangia,  gregarious,  cylindrical,  both  ends  obtuse,  Avail 
silvery,  soon  disappearing,  stem  shorter  than  sporangium,  rather 
thick,  equal,  black,  springing  from  a  well-developed  hypothallus  ; 
columella  reaching  nearly  to  apex  of  sporangium,  capillitium 
dense,  threads  like  the  columella  blackish,  combined  to  form 
a  network  having  the  peripheral  mesJies  not  larger  than  the 
diameter  of  the  spores ;  spores  in  the  mass  blackish-violet,  globose, 
epispore  with  thin  ridges  forming  a  polygonal  netwoi'lc,  12 — 15  fx 
diameter. 


84  A  Monograph  of  the  Myxogastres. 

Stemonitis  didyospora,  Host.,  Mon.,  p.  195  ;  Sacc.,  Syll.,  vii.,  1, 
1303. 

On  palm  leaves.    Venezuela ;  Amazon  Valley ;  United  States. 

The  type  specimen  on  which  Rostafinski  founded  the  species 
is  in  the  Berkeley  herbarium,  Kew,  and  had  evidently  been 
considered  as  distinct  as  the  MS.  name  of  "  S.  trechispora,  B. 
and  C.,"  is  on  the  paper  in  Berkeley's  writing.  It  seems  a  pity 
that  Rostafinski  could  not  accept  this  name.  Distinguished  at 
once  by  the  silvery  white  sporangial  wall,  very  small  peripheral 
meshes  of  the  capillitium,  and  reticulated  spores. 
_.» 

B.     Spores  brcnvn  or  ferruginous  in  the  mass. 

§  >%0?  es  smooth. 
Stemonitis  Carlylei,  Mass.  (n.  sp.)  (figs.  158,  159). 

Growing  in  small  scattered  tufts,  sporangia  cylindrical,  apex 
obtuse,  wall  very  thin,  evanescent  except  the  apical  portion, 
which  remains  like  a  cap,  dark,  with  purple  or  dark  blue  tints ; 
stem  short,  dark,  expanding  into  a  tough,  brown,  common  hypo- 
thallus;  mass  of  spores  dull  orange-brown;  columella  attenu- 
ated upwards,  disappearing  just  below  the  apex ;  capillitium 
dense,  originating  in  numerous  stout  branches  from  the  colu- 
mella, which  soon  break  up  into  thinner  branches  that  anasto- 
mose to  form  a  dense,  irregular  net,  threads  arcuate,  peripheral 
meshes  large,  at  least  tioice  the  diameter  of  the  spores,  and  bearing 
numerous  free  tips  which  are  at  first  attached  to  the  wall,  brown, 
becoming  paler  towards  the  periphery;  spores  globose,  pale, 
clear  orange-brown,  smooth,  11 — 15  /u  diameter. 

On  wood.     Carlisle. 

Growing  in  small  scattered  tufts  of  from  8 — 14  plants, 
3'5 — 4  mm.  high,  the  sporangia  are  cylindrical  with  abruptly 
rounded  ends,  or  rarely  slightly  attenuated  below,  and  passing 
into  the  stem,  which  is  not  usually  a  quarter  the  length  of  the 
sporangium.  At  once  distinguished  from  Stemonitis  ferruginea, 
the  remaining  bright-spored  species  by  the  large  peripheral 
meshes  of  the  capillitium,  with  numerous  free  tips,  and  the 


Stemonitis.  85 

larger  spores.    The  spores  sometimes  show  indistinct  indications 
of  warting  under  1200  diameters. 

Stemonitis  ferruginea,  Host.  (figs.  160,  161). 

Densely  gregarious,  on  a  well-developed  hypo th a  11  us ;  spor- 
angium cylindrical,  obtuse,  wall  thin,  dark  brown,  evanescent ; 
stem  slender,  blackish,  equal  to  or  shorter  than  sporangium; 
columella  reaching  to  the  apex  of  the  sporangium,  blackish ; 
capillitium  dense,  threads  dark  brown,  tapering,  combined  to 
form  an  irregular  network,  the  peripheral  meshes  abend  equal- 
ling the  spores  in  diameter;  spores  in  the  mass  bright  brmvn, 
pale  brown  by  transmitted  light,  globose,  smooth,  6 — 9  f* 
diameter. 

Stemonitis  ferruginea,  Rost.,  Mon.,  p.  196,  figs.  31 — 39,  41 — 44, 
and  50 ;  Cke.,  Myx.  Brit.,  p.  47,  figs.  31—39,  41—44,  and  50 ; 
Sacc.,  Syll.,  vii.,  n.  1365. 

Exsicc. — Rav.,  Fung.  Car.,  75  (typical) ;  Rav.,  Fung.  Amer., 
788. 

On  rotten  wood,  &c.  Britain  (Lyndhurst,  Highgate,  Scarboro', 
Carlisle,  Linlithgow) ;  Europe ;  United  States ;  Mexico ;  S. 
Domingo;  Cuba;  Rangoon;  Ceylon;  Queensland;  New  Zealand. 

Usually  densely  gregarious,  1 — 1*5  cm.  high.  Readily  dis- 
tinguished by  the  small  peripheral  meshes  of  the  capillitium 
and  the  bright  brown  colour  of  the  spores  in  the  mass. 

(Rostafiuski's  Synonyms.) 

Stemonitis  typhina,  Willd.,  Ber.,  408  (1787). 

Clathrus  nudus,  Bolt.,  t.  93,  f.  1  (1789). 

Trichia  axifera,  Bull,  t.  447,  f.  1  (1791). 

Stemonitis  fascidata,  Pers.,  Syn.,  187  (1801). 

Stemonitis  violacea,  Schum.,  Saell.,  1491  (1803). 

Stemonitis  fasciculata,  DC.,  Fl.  Fr.,  ii.,  256  (1805). 

Stemonitis  ferruginea,  Ehr.,  Syl.  Ber.,  f,  vi.  a  b  (1818) ;  Cooke, 

Hdbk.,  No.  1156. 

Stemonitis  decipiens,  Nees.  Nov.  Act.  Leop.,  xvi.  95  (1821). 
Stemonitis  heterospora,  Oudem.  Ned.  Kr.  Arch.,  L,  167  (1872). 


86  A  Monograph  of  the  Myxogastres. 

x 

Stemonitis  Morgan!,  Peck. 

Sporangia  crowded,  stipitate,  springing  from  a  well-developed 
hypothallus ;  cylindrical,  wall  evanescent;  stem  much  shorter 
than  sporangium,  black,  shining ;  mass  of  spores  Ircnon  with  a 
ferruginous  tinge  ;  columella  evanescent  just  below  the  apex  of 
the  sporangium;  threads  of  capillitium  forming  the  network 
brown,  sub-equal,  about  3  /*  thick,  meshes  large,  and  about  equal 
in  size  at  every  part,  spores  globose  smooth,  6 — 7  JA  diameter. 

Stemonitis  Morgani,  Peck,  Bot.  Gaz.,  vol.  v.,  p.  33 ;  34th 
Report  State  Mus.,  N.  Y.,  p.  43 ;  Sacc.,  Syll.,  vii.,  1,  n.  1368. 

Exsicc. — Ellis  and  Everhart,  N.  Amer.  Fung.,  Ser.  II.,  n.  2088. 

o  '  * 

On  bark,  wood,  &c.     United  States. 

Agreeing  in  the  large  meshed  capillitium  with  S.  Carlylei 
and  S.  maxima;  differing  from  the  former  in  the  much  smaller 
spores,  and  from  the  latter  in  the  brown  or  sub-ferruginous 
colour  of  the  spores  in  the  mass. 

§  §  Spores  ivartcd. 

Stemonitis  pulchella,  Bab. 

'  Scattered  or  gregarious,  springing  from  a  delicate  hypothallus  ; 
sporangic  cylindrical  or  cylindrical-ovate,  apex  obtuse,  base 
usually  slightly  umbilicate,  wall  delicate,  silvery  or  dark ;  stem 
rather  stout,  blackish,  sub-equal  or  slightly  tapering  upwards, 
expanded  at  the  base,  shorter  than  sporangium ;  columella 
reaching  nearly  to  the  apex  of  the  sporangium ;  capillitium 
dense,  threads  tapering,  arcuate,  brown,  forming  a  dense, 
irregular  net  with  the  peripheral  meshes  not  larger  than  the 
diameter  of  the  spores  ;  spores  in  tlic,  mass  clear  ferruginous,  pale 
brown  by  transmitted  light,  globose,  minutely  wartcd,  6 — S  ^ 
diameter. 

Stemonitis  pulchellat  Babington,  Linn.  Soc.  Trans.,  1830 ; 
Berk.,  Ann.  Nat.  Hist,  1841,  p.  431,  t.  12,  f.  11 ;  Cke.,  Hdbk., 
n.  1160. 

Comatricha  pulchclla,  Host.,  Mon.,  Suppl.,  p.  27;  Cke.,  Brit. 
Myx.,  p.  49 ;  Sacc.,  Syll.,  vii.,  pt.  I.,  n.  1357. 


Stemonitis.  87 

(Type  in  Herb.  Berk.,  Kew,  n.  10841.) 

On  twigs,  herbaceous  stems,  ferns,  &c. 

Britain  (Bardon) ;  Germany. 

The  peridium  is  sometimes  almost  white  with  a  silvery  sheen, 
at  others  brown.  From  4 — 6  //.  high.  Much  shorter  and  not 
so  densely  crowded  as  S.  ferruginea.  Quite  distinct  from  S. 
pulcherrima,  B.  and  C. 

(Rostafinski's  Synonyms.) 

Stemonitis  pulchella,  Bab.,  Trans.  Linn.  Soc.,  cfr.   Berk.,  A. 

and  M.  (1841),  p.  431,  t.  12,  f.  11  (1839). 
Stemonitis  tenerrima,  Curtis,  Sill.  Journ.,  1.  c.,  p.  349  (1848). 

Stemonitis  tenerrima,  B.  and  C.,  Grev.,  n.  373  (1873). 
i 

Stemonitis  herbatica,  Peck. 

Sporangia  densely  gregarious,  stipitate,  springing  from  a  thin 
hypothallus,  sub-cylindrical,  wall  evanescent ;  stem  usually 
shorter  than  sporangium,  thin,  blackish;  spores  in  the  mass 
Irmvn ;  columella  reaching  nearly  to  apex  of  sporangium ; 
capillitium  dense,  peripheral  meshes  not  larger  than  diameter  of 
spores,  threads  sometimes  furnished  with  a  few  short,  free  ends ; 
spores  globose,  very  minutely  ivartcd,  8 — 9  p  diameter. 

Stemonitis  herbatica,  Peck,  26th  Report  State  Mus.,  N.  Y., 
p.  75 ;  Sacc.,  Syll.,  vii.,  1,  no.  1367. 

(Authentic  specimen  from  author.) 

On  living  leaves,  stems,  &c.     United  States. 

Often  in  scattered,  small,  densely  crowded  clusters,  5 — 8  mm. 
high.  Allied  to  S.  ferruginca  in  the  colour  of  the  spore-mass, 
and  in  the  small  peripheral  meshes  of  the  capillitium,  differing 
in  the  very  minutely  warted  spores. 

Stemonitis  tubulina,  A.  and  S. 

Aethalium  at  first  white,  soft,  1| — 2  in.  broad,  4 — 6  lines 
high,  orbicular,  rarely  sub-oblong,  basal  membrane  stout,  silvery, 
pellucid,  iridescent,  easily  removable  from  the  substratum ; 
surface  very  smooth,  shining,  with  hemispherical  warts  above, 


88  A    Monograph  of  the  Myxogastres. 

regularly  arranged  and  corresponding  to  the  apices  of  the 
component  sporangia;  columella  (stylidia)  brown,  slender, 
capillary,  aggregated,  but  for  the  most  part  individually  free ; 
capillitium  loosely  interwoVen  into  a  common  mass;  mass  of 
spores  brown. 

Stcmonitis  Tubnlina,  Alb.  and  Schu.  Consp.,  p.  102. 

On  decorticated  pines.     Germany. 

From  the  description  given  by  Albertini  and  Schweinitz,  I 
have  very  little  doubt  but  that  the  organism  they  had  in  view 
was  Siphoptychium  Casparyi,  Rost. 

In  Saccardo's  Sylloge,  vii.,  p.  399,  the  following  synonyms  and 
remarks  are  given. 

Stcmonitis  fusca,  var.  /3  Fr.  Syst.  Myc.,  iii. ;  Amaurochaete 
speciosa,  Zukal,  Eni.  Pilze  Myx.  Bact.,  p.  5,  t.  15,  f.  3. 

According  to  Raciborski,  Hedw.  1887,  p.  3,  the  above  species 
is  neither  a  species  of  Stemonitis  nor  Amaurochaete,  but  a  new 
genus  described  under  the  name  of  Juudzillia,  Racib. 

SlPHOPTYCHIUM,   Rost. 

Sporangia  sessile,  densely  crowded,  springing  from  a  well- 
developed  hypothallus,  cylindrical,  or  prismatic  from  mutual 
pressure,  the  whole  forming  a  naked  aethalium ;  wall  of  spor- 
angium single,  thin;  columella  central,  springing  from  the 
hypothallus  and  reaching  to  the  apex  of  the  sporangium,  tubes 
of  capillitium  rather  scanty,  radiating  from  the  columella  to  the 
wall  of  the  sporangium. 

Siphoptychiwn,  Rost.,  Mon.,  App.,  p.  32;  Cke.,  Myx.  Brit., 
p.  83 ;  Sacc.,  Syll.,  vol.  vii.,  part  I.,  p.  417. 

The  general  habit  and  appearance  of  some  species  of  Tululina 
from  which  the  present  genus  differs  in  the  presence  of  a 
central  columella  and  capillitium;  yet  the  general  structure 
and  arrangement  of  the  sporangia  and  the  spore  sculpture  of 
the  only  known  species  is  so  thoroughly  that  of  Tulmlina 
cylindrica,  that  it  seems  very  probable  that  the  present  genus 
is  an  evolution  from  the  last-named  species,  or  some  close  ally, 
the  columella  and  radiating  tubes  being  derived  from  modified 
sporangial  walls. 


Siphoptychium.     Amaurochaete.  89 

Siphoptychium  Casparyi,  Rost.  (fig.  111.) 

Sporangia  crowded  on  a  well-developed  hypothallus,  elongated, 
cylindrical  or  prismatic  from  mutual  pressure,  apices  slightly 
convex,  wall  thin,  brownish,  iridescent;  mass  of  spores  umber; 
columella  thin,  reaching  nearly  or  quite  to  apex  of  sporangium, 
tubes  of  capillitium  simple,  rarely  branched,  springing  from  the 
columella  and  extending  to  wall  of  sporangium;  spores  globose, 
with  a,  minutely  raised  network,  7 — 9  /A  diameter. 

Siphoptychium  Casparyi,  Host.,  Mon.,  Append.,  p.  32,  fig.  245  ; 
Sacc.,  Syll.,  vii.,  1,  n.  1423. 

Exsicc. — Ellis  and  Everh.,  N.  Amer.  Fung.,  n.  2092. 

On  wood,  &c.     United  States. 

^Sporangia  up  to  *5  cm.  high,  and  about  '5  mm.  diameter  of 
equal  height,  and  densely  packed  side  by  side,  forming  cake- 
like  aethalia,  stated  in  letter  from  Dr.  Rex,  of  Philadelphia, 
who  has  collected  this  species  in  abundance,  to  average  from 
three  to  five  inches  in  diameter ;  but  one  aethalium  collected  in 
the  Adirondack  Mountains,  N.  Y.,  measured  one  foot  and  a 
half  in  length  by  one  foot  in  width,  with  various  prolongations 
besides. 

AMAUROCHAETE,  Rost. 

Aethalium  consisting  of  numerous  elongated,  naked  sporangia, 
compacted  together  in  several  layers,  and  enclosed  in  a  common 
delicate  cortex;  the  capillitium  consists  of  several  columella- 
like,  erect  tubes  springing  from  the  base  of  the  aethalium,  and 
anastomosing  amongst  themselves  form  tree-like  branches, 
which  along  with  the  secondary  branches  combine  to  form  an 
irregular  network ;  angles  of  the  larger  forks  of  the  capillitium 
connected  for  some  distance  by  a  thin  web-like  membrane. 

Amaurochaete,  Rost.,  Mon.,  p.  210;  Cke.,  Myx.  Brit.,  p.  52; 
Sacc.,  Syll.,  p.  401. 

Closely  related  to  if  indeed  distinct  from  Ecticularia. 

Distrib.  Europe;  United  States.     Species  1. 

Amaurochaete  atra,  Rost. 
Aethalium  variable  in  size,  pulvinate,  covered  with  a  thin, 


90  A  Monograph  of  the  Myxogastres. 

fragile,  blackish  cortex ;  capillitium  dense,  forming  an  irregular 
network,  the  two  branches  forming  the  angles  of  the  larger 
dichotomies  connected  by  a  membrane ;  spores  brownish-violet, 
globose,  minutely  warted,  14 — 17  IL  diameter. 

Amaurochaete  atra,  Host.,  Mon.,  p.  210,  fig.  67 ;  Cke.,  Myx. 
Brit.,  p.  52,  f.  67;  Sacc.,  Syll.,  vii.,  no.  1375. 

On  wood  and  bark,  especially  of  pines.  Britain  (Ascot, 
Lyndhurst,  Leicester,  Somerset,  Aboyue,  N.  B.);  Germany; 
France ;  Sweden ;  United  States. 

Varying  from  1 — 3  in.  or  more  across. 

In  the  typical  form  the  sporangia  are  very  irregular  and  have 
nearly  lost  their  individuality,  whereas  in  other  specimens  the 
whole  structure  suggests  the  idea  of  a  number  of  confluent 
individuals  of  a  sessile  Stcmonitis. 


BREFELDIA,  Rost. 

Aethalium  composed  of  numerous  naked,  elongated,  closely- 
packed  sporangia,  arranged  in  several  strata;  columellas  of  the 
various  sporangia  coalescing  to  form  tree-like  branchings, 
branches  of  the  capillitium  meeting  at  the  boundary  of 
the  sporangia  and  coalescing  by  the  formation  of  polycellular 
vesicles. 

Brcfeldia,  Rost.,  Mon.,  p.  212;  Cke.,  Myx.  Brit.,  p.  53;  Sacc., 
Syll.,  vii.,  p.  402 ;  Raunk.,  Myx.  Dan.,  p.  96. 

Like  Reticularia,  the  one  species  constituting  the  present 
genus  is  only  known  in  the  aethalioid  form,  and  the  component 
sporangia  are  much  contorted.  The  principal  feature  of  the 
genus  is  the  presence  of  numerous  very  peculiar  structures  met 
with  scattered  at  intervals  in  the  threads  of  the  capillitium. 
These  bodies  usually  consist  of  eight  cell-like  vesicles  more  or 
less  quadrate  in  outline,  measuring  8 — 15  p  in  diameter,  and 
arranged  in  a  quadrate  manner,  the  capillitium  threads  are 
attached  to  the  four  cells  forming  the  two  ends  of  the  cluster 
of  vesicles  by  short  branches,  usually  four  in  number,  one 
being  attached  to  each  vesicle.  Rostafinski  says  that  these 


Brefeldia.     Rostaftnskia.  91 

bodies   are   situated   at   the   points  where  adjacent   sporangia 
meet. 

Distrib.  Europe.     Species  1. 

Brefeldia  maxima,  Eost.  (figs.  254 — 256). 

Aethalium  large,  pulvinate,  surface  blackish  with  purple  or 
olive  tints,  rough  with  irregular  wart-like  nodules,  seated  on 
a  firm,  silvery-looking  hypothallus;  capillitium  dense,  threads 
irregularly  anastomosing,  dark  coloured,  with  numerous  inter- 
calary clusters  of  vesicles ;  spores  in  the  mass  blackish  with 
a  purple  tinge,  globose,  minutely  warted,  13 — 17  p  diameter. 

Brefeldia  maxima,  Eost.,  Mon.,  p.  213,  figs.  60,  65,  66,  69, 
70  j  Cke.,  Myx.  Brit.,  p.  53,  figs.  60,  65,  66,  69,  70 ;  Sacc.,  Syll., 
vii.,  no.  1377;  Eaunk.,  Myx.  Dan.,  p.  96,  t.  5,  f.  13. 

Licea  perreptans,  Berk.,  Gard.  Chron.,  1848,  p.  451. 

Exsicc. — Cke.,  Fung.  Brit.,  Ed.  II.,  n.  518. 

On  fallen  trunks,  &c.     Britain  (Eolleston,  Kew) ;  Germany. 

Foiming  large  pulvinate  patches  of  irregular  form  varying 
from  1 — 6  inches  across. 

(Eostafinski's   Synonyms.) 

Lycoperdon  epidendrum,  Sow.,  400,  f.  2,  3  (1809). 

Dermodium  inquinans,  Fr.  Gast.,  9  (1817). 

Rclicularia  maxima,  Fr.  S.  M.,  iii.,  85  (1829);  Eng.  Fl.,  v., 

308;  Cooke,  Hdbk.,  No.  1097;  Fungi  Britt.,  ii.,  518. 
Lycoperdon  echiniformis,  Sow.,  t.  400,  f.  1. 
Licea  perreptans,  Berk.,  Gard.  Chron.  (1848),  451 ;  Ann.  Nat. 

Hist.,  No.  392;  Cooke,  Hdbk.,  No.  1196. 

EOSTAFINSKIA,  Speg. 

Sporangia  flexuous,  intricately  combined  to  form  aethalia  of 
varying  magnitude,  seated  on  a  floccoso-papyraceous  hypothallus ; 
columellas  absent;  capillitium  well-developed,  not  furnished 
with  granules  of  lime,  persistent,  naked;  spores  globose  or 
irregular,  coloured,  present  only  in  the  central  stratum  of  the 
aethalium. 


92  A  Monograph  of  the  Myxogastres. 

RostafinsJeia,  Speg.,  Fung.  Arg.,  Pug.  III.,  p.  27 ;  Sacc.,  Syll., 
vii.,  1,  p.  403  (not  of  Raciborski). 

I  am  not  acquainted  with  the  single  species  constituting  the 
present  genus  which  appears  to  be  exceptional  in  the  septate 
tubes  of  the  capillitium,  &c. 

Distrib.  Argentine  Republic.     Species  I. 

Rostafinskia  australis,  Speg. 

Aethalia  variable  in  form,  thickly  pulvinate — effused;  ecorticate, 
surface  softly  velvety- tomentose,vat  first  with  a  longish  cottony 
tomentum,  then  breaking  up  into  powdery  filaments,  purple- 
violet  or  bright  reddish-violet;  capillitiura  tubes  of  the  inter- 
mediate stratum  cylindrical,  3 — 4  /A  thick,  branched,  not  septate, 
everywhere  rough  with  minute  warts*  hyaline  or  tinged  violet, 
tubes  of  inferior  sterile  stratum  cylindrical  septate,  nodulosely 
branched,  5 — 6  p  thick,  smooth,  brownish ;  spores  globose, 
ovoid  or  irregular,  filled  with  granular  protoplasm,  smooth, 
bright  lilac,  8—10  x  5—6  ft. 

Rostafinskia  australis,  Speg.,  Fung.  Arg.,  Pug.  III.,  n.  59; 
Sacc.,  Syll.,  vii.,  1,  n.  1381. 

On  rotten  trunks,  sawdust,  &c.     Everywhere  very  common. 

Argentine  Republic. 

RETICULARIA,  Bull. 

Aethalia  composed  of  numerous  elongated,  naked  sporangia, 
arranged  in  strata  and  covered  with  a  thin,  common  cortex ; 
capillitium  consisting  of  several  columel la-like,  slender,  thin- 
walled  tubes,  that  give  off  several  lateral  branches  which 
anastomose  to  form  an  irregular  network. 

Reticularia,  Bulliard,  Hist.  Champ.,  Host.,  Mon.,  p.  240; 
Cke.,  Myx.  Brit,  p.  60;  Sacc.,  Syll.,  vii.,  p.  418. 

In  the  present  genus  numerous  naked,  elongated  sporangia, 
arranged  in  a  few  superposed  layers  or  strata,  are  covered  with 
an  external  cortex.  Each  sporangium  has  its  own  long  colu- 
mella,  which  gives  off  lateral  branches  that  anastomose  to  form 
an  irregular  network,  the  branches  of  contiguous  sporangia  also 


Retwularia.  93 

anastomose.  The  structure  of  the  entire  body  may  be  compared 
with  the  dense  clusters  of  sporangia  in  Stemonitis,  differing  in 
the  irregularity  of  the  sporangia  and  absence  of  sporangial  walls. 
Enteridium  Rozeanum  bears  a  close  resemblance  to  the  present 
genus,  but  there  the  capillitium  is  formed  from  the  walls  of 
the  component  sporangia.  Several  exotic  species  placed  by 
Berkeley  in  Reticularia  belong  to  the  genus  Chromosporium. 
Distrib.  Europe  and  N.  America.  Species  3. 

Reticularia  lycoperdon,  Host.  (figs.  311,  312). 

Aethalium  large,  pulvinate,  completely  surrounded  by  a 
delicate  cortex  which  varies  from  dull  umber,  through  reddish- 
br9wn,  to  pale  grey  with  a  silvery  lustre ;  sometimes  rough  with 
irregular,  yellowish,  minute  warts;  threads  of  the  capillitium 
springing  from  the  base,  consisting  of  erect,  columella-like 
portions  with  slender,  anastomosing  branches ;  spores  in  the 
mass  varying  from  umber  to  chestnut-colour,  globose,  about  one- 
half  the  surface,  of  the  spore  covered  with  a  regular  network  of 
raised  lines,  the  remainder  smooth,  7 — 9  p.  diameter. 

Reticularia  lycoperdon,  Host.,  Mon.,  p.  240,  figs.  3,  4,  6,  13 ; 
Cke.,  Myx.  Brit.,  p.  60,  figs.  3,  4,  6,  13 ;  Sacc.,  Syll.,  vii.,  n.  1424. 

Exsicc. — Fuckel,  Fung.  Rhen.,  n.  2583. 

On  wood,  bark,  &c.  Britain  (Bristol,  Kew,  Ecclesfield, 
Scarboro',  Carlisle,  Coed  Coch,  Linlithgow) ;  Europe ;  United 
States. 

Forming  lumps  varying  from  1 — 3  inches  across,  more  or  less 
circular  or  elongated,  sometimes  compressed,  at  others  pulvinate, 
and  1  in.  or  more  high.  Care  must  be  taken  not  to  confound 
small  specimens  of  the  present  species  with  Lycogala  epidendrum, 
which  differs  in  the  thick  capillitium  threads  with  ornamented 
walls. 

(Rostafinski's   Synonyms.) 

Lycogala  griseum  major,  Mich.,  t.  95,  f.  1  (1729). 

Lycoperdon  fuscum,  Huds.  Fl.  Aug.,  645  (1778). 

Mucor  lycogalus,  Bott.,  t.  133,  f.  2  (1789). 

Reticularia  lycoperdon,  Bull.,  t.  446,  f.  4,  t.  476,  f.  1—3  (1791). 


94  A  Monograph  of  the  Myxogastres. 

Lycogala  argentea,  Pers.,  Disp.,  7  (1797). 
Lycogala  turbinatum,  Pers.,  Syn.,  157  (1801), 
Strongylium  fuliginoides,  Ditm.,  t.  2,  f.  1  (1809). 
Fuligo  lycopcrdon,  Schum.,  Saell.,  1409  (1803). 
Reticularia  argentea,  Poir.,  Ency.,  vi.,  20  (1806). 
Reticularia,  umbrina,  Fr.  S.  M.,  iii.,  87  (1829) ;  Corda,  Ic.,  vi., 
f.  36  ;  Eng.  Fl.,  v,  308;  Cooke,  Hdbk.,  No.  1100. 

Sub-sect.  II.    LAMPRODERMAE. 

LAMPRODERMA,  Rost. 

Sporangia  globose  or  broadly  obovate,  usually  stipitate,  stem 
continuous  within  the  sporangium  as  a  columella;  threads  of 
the  capillitium  originating  from  the  apex  only  of  the  columella, 
primary  branches  either  remaining  simple  for  some  distance 
or  branching  irregularly  from  the  base,  the  branches  combining 
to  form  an  irregular  network;  wall  of  sporangium  usually 
iridescent,  soon  disappearing. 

Lamproderma,  Rost.,  Mon.,  p.  202 ;  Cke.,  Brit.  Myx.,  p.  49 ; 
Sacc.,  Syll.,  vii.,  1,  p.  390 ;  Zopf,  p.  1 56. 

Closely  allied  to  Diachaea  and  Stcmonitis,  but  differing  from 
both  in  having  the  threads  of  the  capiliitium  originating  from 
the  apex  of  the  columella  only. 

Distrib.  Europe;  United  States;  Ceylon;  Australia;  New 
Zealand.  Species  18. 

A.     Spores  smooth. 
Lamproderma  violacemn,  Rost.  (figs.  152 — 154). 

Gregarious  on  a  strongly-developed  hypothallus;  sporangia 
sub-globose,  convex  above,  flattened  or  slightly  umbilicate  below  ; 
wall  thin,  blackish,  with  a  dark  violet  lustre ;  stem  elongated, 
black,  thick  at  the  base,  attenuated  upwards ;  columella  about 
half  the  height  of  the  sporangium,  filled  ivith  large  colourless 
cells;  branches  of  capillitium  almost  colourless,  springing  from  the 
ajjcx  and  sides  of  the  columella,  irregularly  branched  and  com- 


Lamproderma.  95 

bined  into  a  network;  spores  violet,  globose,  smooth,  9 — 12  /* 
diameter. 

Lamproderma  violacca,  Host.,  Mon.,  p.  204,  fig.  64;  Cke., 
Brit.  Myx.,  p.  50,  f.  64 ;  Sacc.,  Syll.,  vii.,  no.  1394. 

On  wood,  moss,  &c.  Britain  (Shrewsbury,  Castle  Howard, 
Yorks);  United  States. 

A  very  distinct  and  beautiful  species,  characterized  by  having 
the  sporangium  flattened  or  umbilicate  below,  and  the  almost 
colourless  capillitium  springing  from  every  part  of  the  columella. 
From  2 — 3  mm.  high. 

(Rostafinski's  Synonym.) 

Stemonitis  violacea,  Fr.  S.  M.,  iii.,  162  (1829);  B.  and  Br., 
Ann.  Nat.  Hist.,  387;  Cke.,  Hdbk.,  n.  1162. 

i 

Lamproderma  irideum,  Mass.  (figs.  149 — 151). 

Scattered ;  sporangia  globose,  wall  thin,  with  steel-blue,  green, 
or  coppery  metallic  tints;  stem  elongated,  blackish-brown, 
tapering  upwards,  expanded  at  the  base  into  a  small,  circular 
hypothallus;  columella  cylindrical,  about  one-third  the  height 
of  the  sporangium,  giving  origin  at  the  apex  to  several  thick, 
ascending  branches,  which  remain  simple  throughout  the  greater 
portion  of  their  length,  towards  the  tips  repeatedly  bifurcating, 
rarely  anastomosing  laterally,  violet-brown,  not  paler  at  the  tips  ; 
spores  globose,  violet-brown,  smooth,  11 — 15  p  diameter. 

Lamproderma  arcyrioides,  Var.  iridea,  Cke.,  Myx.  Brit.,  p.  50, 
figs.  246—249 ;  Sacc.,  Syll.,  vii.,  n.  1353. 

Exsicc.  Cke.,  Fung.  Brit.,  Ser.  I.,  523  (as  Stemonitis  arcy- 
rioides)', Cke.,  Fun:*.  Brit..  Ser.  II.,  523  (as  Lamproderma 
arcyrioides). 

(Type  in  Herb.,  Kew.) 

On  dead  leaves,  moss,  &c.     Britain  (Hampstead). 

Distinguished  by  the  scattered  habit,  smooth  spores,  and  in 
the  primary  branches  of  the  capillitium  remaining  unbranched 
except  at  the  tips. 

Lamproderma  suboeneum,  Mass. 
Scattered ;  sporangia  globose,  small,  wall  thin,  broivn,  with  a 


96  A  Monograph  of  the  Myxogastres. 

bright  coppery  tinge,  basal  portion  often  remaining  as  a  frill 
round  the  stem;  stem  elongated,  tapering  upwards,  expanding 
at  the  base  into  a  minute,  circular  hypothallus,  brown;  colu- 
mella  cylindrical,  not  more  than  one  quarter  the  height  of  the 
sporangium,  producing  at  the  apex  several  primary  branches, 
which  are  at  once  divided  into  numerous  arcuate  branches  of  equal 
thickness  that  combine  to  form  a  dense  net,  threads  broWn,  often 
studded  with  organic  lumps ;  spores  lilac-brown,  globose,  smooth, 
14 — 16  /u.  diameter. 

Rtemonitis  physarioides,  A.  and  S.,  Var.  suboeneus,  Berk.,  in 
Herb.,  n.  10842. 

On  slender  twigs,  moss,  &c.  Britain  (Bulmer,  Yorks) ;  United 
States. 

Remarkable  in  the  capillitium  consisting  entirely  of  equal, 
rather  stout,  arcuate  threads  combined  into  a  network  of  small, 
sub-equal  meshes.  From  2'5 — 3  mm.  high,  sporangium  rarely 
attaining  to  *5  mm.  diameter,  constantly  the  colour  of  new 
copper. 

Lamproderma  leucosporum,  Rost. 

Sporangia  spherical,  about  '5  mm.  diameter,  with  various 
metallic  tints ;  stem  black,  shining,  subulate,  thin,  passing  into 
the  sporangium  as  an  exactly  cylindrical,  truncate  columella; 
threads  of  the  capillitium  from,  the  base  variously  branched  and 
combined  to  form  a  compact  network,  blackish  when  the  spores 
are  blown  away ;  spores  pale  violet,  8 — 9  /u.  diameter,  smooth. 

Lamproderma  leucosporum,  Rost.,  Mon.,  App.,  26 ;  Sacc.,  Syll., 
vii.,  1,  n.  1350. 

Lamproderma  nigrcscen^  Rost.,  Mon.,  p.  205  (in  part). 

Germany. 

Lamproderma  arcyrionema,  Rost. 

Sporangia  spherical,  very  small,  with  a  silvery  metallic  lustre, 
stipitate,  stem  straight,  subulate,  black,  shining,  dilated  into  a 
very  thin,  blackish-purple  hypothallus,  and  passing  into  the 
sporangium  as  a  very  slender,  cylindrical,  truncate  columella; 
branches  of,  the  capillitium  everywhere  of  uniform  thickness, 


Lamproderma.  97 

divided  from,  the  base,  arcuate,  variously  interlaced,  and  combined 
to  form  a  dense  net  without  free  branches ;  spores  pale  violet , 
smooth,  6 — 7  /x  diameter. 

Lamproderma  arcyrionema,  Host.,  Mon.,  p.  208;  Sacc.,  Syll., 
vii.,  1,  n.  1352. 

Poland. 

Judging  from  the  description,  the  present  species  appears  to 
approach  very  closely  such  species  as  Stemonitis  Friesiana. 

B.     Spoils  warted  or  echinulate. 

Lamproderma  echinulatum,  Rost. 

Sporangia  globose,  dark  steel-blue  or  blackish,  iridescent ; 
stem  thick  at  the  base,  becoming  attenuated  upwards,  some- 
times-'sub-cylindrical,  black,  filled  with  large  cells  that  become 
smaller  upwards;  columella  thick,  filled  with  cells  like  the 
stem,  about  one-third  the  height  of  the  sporangium,  sometimes 
clavate;  capillitium  dense,  originating  from  apex  of  columella 
and  at  once  forming  an  irregular  netivork  without  the  usual 
undivided  primary  branches,  tubes  pale,  irregular,  arcuate,  often 
flattened  and  triangular  at  the  nodes;  spores  globose,  dingy- 
purple,  coarsely  echinulate,  15 — 22  //,  diameter. 

Lamproderma  echinulatum,  Rost.,  Mon.,  Append.,  p.  25  ;  Sacc., 
Syll.,  vii.,  1,  n.  1344. 

Stemonitis  echinulata,  Berk.,  Fl.  Tasm.,  p.  268. 
(Type  in  Herb.  Berk.,  Kew.) 

Amongst  moss.     Tasmania. 

Gregarious,  springing  from  a  hypothallus,  3 — 4  mm.  high, 
Departing  from  the  usual  type  of  Lamproderma  in  having  every 
part  of  the  capillitium  combined  to  form  a  network  with  arcuate 
branches.  Differs  from  Comatricha  in  the  capillitium  origin- 
ating from  apex  of  thick  columella  only.  Remarkable  in  having 
the  stem  and  columella  filled  with  large  cells. 

Lamproderma  Listeri,  Mass.  (n.  sp.)  (figs.  202,  203). 

Sporangia  globose,  dark -purple  or  blackish,  iridescent,  lower 

portion  sometimes  remaining  as  a  frill  round  the  stem;  colu- 

H 


98  A  Monograph  of  the  Myxogastres. 

mella  slender,  about  one-third  the  height  of  the  sporangium, 
capillitium  rather  dense,  the  main  branches  springing  from  the 
apex  of  the  columella  which  is  sometimes  expanded  in  a  discoid 
manner,  branches  stout,  simple  for  half  their  lengthy  then  two  or 
three  times  dichotomous,  axils  acute,  secondary  branches  straight, 
sometimes  anastomosing  laterally,  tips  colourless,  the  other 
portions  blackish ;  stcr*  elongated,  straight  or  sub-flexuous,  conical, 
smooth,  blackish -brown,  filled  with  amorphous  organic  matter, 
springing  from  a  hypothallus ;  spores  globose,  dingy  purple, 
coarsely  spinulosc,  15 — 17  M  diameter. 

Scotland  (Moffat)  ;  Tasmania ;  N.  Zealand. 

On  moss,  wood,  &c. ;  gregarious,  2  mm.  high.  A  very  fine 
species,  remarkable  for  the  elongated  stem  becoming  usually 
much  incrassated  downwards,  and  in  the  apex  of  the  columella 
being  in  some  specimens  expanded  into  a  disc  from  the  margin 
of  which  the  primary  branches  of  the  capillitium  originate. 
Both  these  features  are  characteristic  of  the  genus  Enerthenema, 
and  the  present  species  forms  a  connecting  link  between  the 
last-named  genus  and  Lamproderma.  Agreeing  with  L,  echinu- 
lata  in  the  large,  spinulose  spores ;  differing  in  the  long,  straight 
branches  of  the  capillitium,  and  the  stem  being  filled  with 
amorphous  lumps  of  organic  matter. 

Lamproderma  Ellisiana,  Cooke. 

Sporangia  globose,  stipitate,  minutely  rugulose,  blackish- 
purple,  rather  dull;  columella  short;  capillitium  originating 
from  apex  of  columella,  threads  blackish-purple,  very  slender, 
equal  throughout,  repeatedly  forking  from  the  base,  angles  very 
acute;  stem  coloured  like  the  sporangium  and  twice  as  long, 
slender  above,  becoming  very  thick  downwards,  and  expanding 
into  a  small,  circular,  brown  hypothallus;  spores  in  clusters  of 
5 — 7  ;  when  the  spores  break  up  the  clusters  are  sub-angular 
but  soon  become  globose  when  free,  pale  lilac,  minutely  warted, 
15 — 16  n  diameter. 

Lamproderma  Ellisiana,  Cke.,  Myx.,  U.  States,  p.  397. 

Badhamia  penetralis,  Cke.  and  Ellis,  Grev.,  vol.  v.,  p.  49. 


Lamproderma.  99 

(Type  in  Herb.,  Kew.) 

About  1  mm.  high ;  scattered.  "  On  pine  boards  not  much 
decayed,  white  at  first."  (Ellis.) 

United  States. 

The  clustered  spores  probably  suggested  the  genus  Badhamia, 
but  the  plant  is  a  true  Lamproderma,  and  quite  distinct  from 
a  small  species  of  Comatricha,  "with  which  it  is  mixed. 

Ellis  appears  to  have  confused  the  true  Lamproderma  of 
Cooke  with  the  Comatricha  in  the  N.  A.  F.,  Ser.  II. 

Lamproderma  robusta,  Ellis  and  Everh. 

Sporangia  globose  or  slightly  contracted  below,  stipitate, 
blackish-purple,  dull ;  when  in  perfect  condition  covered  with 
a  very  delicate  bloom,  lower  portion  usually  remaining  like 
a  frill ,v  round  the  stem ;  columella  short,  thick,  wrinkled ; 
capillitium  very  dense,  springing  from  apex  of  columella,  the 
main  branches  3 — 5  p.  thick,  simple  for  a  very  short  distance, 
then  branching  and  anastomosing  to  form  a  small-meshed,  very 
irregular  dense  netwoi*k  ;  threads  tapering  from  the  base,  mostly 
flattened,  angles  often  rounded,  with  scattered  interstitial 
swellings,  brownish-purple  at  the  base,  becoming  paler  upwards, 
attached,  at  numerous  points  to  sporangial  wall;-  stem  equal 
in  length  to  sporangium  or  a  little  longer,  blackish,  smooth, 
equal,  springing  from  a  hypothallus;  spores  globose,  dirty 
brownish-purple,  minutely  warted,  9 — 10  ^  diameter. 

Lamproderma  robusta,  Ellis  and  Everhart. 

(Described  from  portion  of  type  communicated  by  Mr. 
Wingate.) 

On  wood.     United  States. 

A  very  distinct  and  beautiful  species,  gregarious,  springing 
from  a  common  hypothallus,  2 — 2'5  mm.  high.  The  sporangium 
is  covered  with  an  exceedingly  thin  layer  of  some  substance 
resembling  the  bloom  on  a  plum,  which  may  be  lime  ;  it  cracks 
and  breaks  up  into  angular  patches  in  water. 

Lamproderma  Schimperi,  Host. 
Sporangia  spherical,  green,   becoming   blackish,    or   with   a 


100  A  Monograph  of  the  Myxogastres. 

reddish  metallic  sheen;  stem  black,  shining,  rigid,  subulate, 
entering  the  peridium  as  an  obovate  columella,  and  about  half 
its  height;  capillitium  of  dusky  threads  springing  from  apex 
of  columella,  branches  for  some  distance  simple,  then  becoming 
very  much  bra/nchcd,  laterally  connected,  and  forming  a  dense  net 
at  the  periphery r,  spores  dingy- violet,  minutely  spinulose,  10—11  ^ 
diameter. 

Lamproderma  Schimperi,  Host,  Mon.,  p.  203,  fig.  63 ;  Sacc., 
Syll.,  n.  1343 ;  Cke.,  Myx.  Brit.,  fig.  63. 

Germany. 

Lamproderma  Sauteri,  Host. 

Similar  to  L.  violaceum,  but  more  rigid  in  every  part; 
sporangia  spherical,  slightly  flattened  below,  1  mm.  broad, 
shining  with  various  metallic  tints;  stem  black,  sulndate, 
springing  from  a  well-developed  hypothallus;  columella  cylin- 
drical, truncate ;  capillitium  threads  toanched  from  the  lose  and 
forming  a  dense  network,  pale  when  the  spores  are  blown  away ; 
spores  dingy-violet,  densely  covered  with  spinules,  12 — 15  /A 
diameter. 

.Lamproderma  Sauteri,  Host.,  Mon.,  p.  205;  Sacc.,  Syll.,  vii.,  1, 
no.  1348. 

Tyrol. 

Entire  specimen  2  mm.  high. 

Lamproderma  minutum,  Host. 

Sporangia  spherical,  £  mm.  diameter,  slightly  metallic ;  stem 
black,  slender,  equal ;  columella  cylindrical,  thin,  truncate ; 
threads  of  capillitium  colourless,  rarely  fasciculately  branched, 
fascicles  blending  togctJwr  ;  spores  violet,  delicately  vcrruculose, 
6'6  /u,  diameter. 

Lamproderma  minutum,  Host.,  Mon.,  Append.,  p.  26 ;  Sacc., 
Syll.,  vii.,  1,  n.  1351. 

France. 

Lamproderma  columbinum,  Rost. 
Sporangia  stipitate,  sub-ovate  or  globose,  blackish,  reflecting 


Lamproderma.  101 

variously  coloured  metallic  tints ;  stem  slender,  attenuated  up- 
wards, longitudinally  wrinkled  below,  purple-black;  columella 
cylindrical,  more  or  less  attenuated  at  the  apex,  about  half  the 
height  of  the  sporangium ;  capillitium  pale,  primary  branches 
short,  but  distinct,  thick,  soon  branching  and  dichotomosing  in 
an  irregular  manner,  combined  by  transverse  branches  to  form 
an  irregular  network  with  numerous  free,  thin  tips;  spores 
globose,  pale  violet,  minutely  warted,  12 — 16  //.  diameter. 

Lamproderma  columbinum,  Host.,  Mon.,  p.  203,  f.  61 ;  Cke., 
Myx.  Brit.,  f.  61 ;  Sacc.,  Syll.,  n.  1345. 

Lamproderma  iridcscens,  Host.,  Mon.,  App.,  p.  25 ;  Sacc.,  Syll., 
n.  1346. 

Physarum  iridescens,  Berk.,  Hook.  Journ.,  1851,  p.  20. 

Exsicc—  Rab.,  Fung.  Eur.,  2213;  Roum.,  Fung.  Gall.  Exs., 
n.  1685., 

On  moss,  wood,  &c.  Britain  (Orton  Wood,  Leicester ;  Rudloe, 
Twycross,  Carlisle) ;  Europe  ;  United  States. 

From  2 — 3  mm.  high,  sometimes  sessile  and  even  aethalioid ; 
distinguished  by  the  very  short,  stout,  primary  branches  of  the 
capillitium,  the  smaller  branches  are  sometimes  nodulose  at 
intervals. 

(Rostafinski's   Synonyms.) 

Mucor  violaceus,  Leess.,  Fl.  Herb.,  n.  1128  (1775). 

Trichia  violacea,  Hoffm.,  Veg.  Cr.,  p.  5,  t.  2.  f.  1  (1790). 

Physarum  columbinum,  Pers.,  Syst.,  p.  173  (1801). 

Trichia  columbina,  Poir.,  Encycl.,  no.  17  (1808). 

Physarum  salicinum,  Schum.,  Fl.  Saell,  n.  1431  (1803). 

Physarum  bryophilum,  Fr.,  S.  M.,  iii.,  p.  135  (1829). 

Physarum  Iryophilum,  /3  melanocephalum,  Cda.,  Ic.  1,  p.  22, 
t.,4,  f.  287  (1837). 

Lamproderma  Saccardianum,  Mass. 

Broadly  gregarious,  altogether  blackish,  sporangia  perfectly 
spherical,  not  umbilicate,  \  mm.  broad,  at  first  yellowish  then 
opaqiLC  black,  smooth,  persistent,  erect;  stem  filiform,  \  mm. 
high,  40  ju,  thick,  black;  hypothallus  (when  evident)  distinct, 
minute,  rufescent;  columella  terete,  half  the  height  of  the 


102  A  Monograph  of  the  Myxogastres. 

sporangium,  apex  rather  obtuse ;  branches  of  the  capillitium 
springing  from  apex  of  columella,  dichotomously  branched,  fili- 
form, fuliginous;  spores  globose,  9 — 10  /*  diameter,  pale  smoky- 
violet,  minutely  echinulate. 

Lamproderma  nigrescens,  Sac.,  Michelia,  II.,  p.  262;  Sacc., 
Syll.,  vii.,  1,  no.  1354  (not  of  Host.). 

On  fallen  leaves  of  Buxus,  Robinia  Pinus,  heaps  of  chips,  &c. 
Selva,  N.  Italy. 

Distinguished  from  L.  physarioides  by  its  smaller  size  and 
smaller  spores,  and  from  L.  violaceum  by  the  black  spherical 
sporangium,  etc.  (Sacc.) 

Saccardo's  name  is  antedated  by  Rostafinski's. 


Lamproderma  arcyrioides,  Rost.  (figs.  145 — 148). 

Gregarious  or  scattered,  springing  from  a  firm  hypothallus; 
sporangia  globose,  shortly  elliptical  or  obovate,  wall  thin, 
blackish,  with  blue,  purple,  green,  or  reddish  metallic  tints ; 
stem  usually  becoming  thinner  upwards,  blackish,  shining, 
sometimes  obsolete,  passing  directly  into  the  sporangium  as 
a  short  columella  that  breaks  up  at  the  apex  into  several 
equal,  ascending  branches,  these  again  produce  numerous  lateral 
brandies,  at  some  distance  from  the  base,  that  anastomose  laterally 
and  form  a  dense,  irregular  network,  threads  pale  greyish- 
brown;  spores  globose,  dirty  violet,  minutely  warted,  11 — 16  p 
diameter. 

Lamproderma  arcyrioides,  Host.,  Mon.,  p.  206 ;  Cke.,  Myx. 
Brit.,  p.  50 ;  Sacc.,  Syll.,  vii.,  n.  1353. 

E,Ksicc.— Rab.,  Herb.  Myc.,  431;  Roum.,  Fung.  Gall.,  908; 
FuckeL,  Fung.  Rhen.,  1447 ;  Rab.,  Fung.  Eur.,  797. 

On  rotten  wood,  dead  leaves,  &c.  Britain  (New  Forest, 
Scarborough,  Carlisle);  France;  Germany;  Sweden;  Denmark; 
United  States. 

From  l-5 — 3  mm.  high.  Near  to  L.  violacea,  but  dis- 
tinguished by  the  larger  and  more  coarsely  warted  spores,  and 
in  the  main  branches  of  the  capillitium  remaining  unbranched 
for  some  distance  at  the  base. 


Lamproderma.  103 

(Rostafinski's  Synonyms.) 
Stemonit'ls  arcyrioides,  Somm.,  Tidsk.  (1827);  Berk.,  Ann.  N. 

Hist.,  No.  114;  Cke.,  Hdbk.,  n.  1163. 
Stemonitis  chalylea,  Pers.,  in  litt. 

Stemonitis  Carestiae,  Ces.  and  Not.  (1861);  Erb.  Or.  ItaL,  888. 
Stemonitis  Morthieri,  Fckl.,  Exs.,  n.  1447  (1860). 

Lamproderma  physarioides,  Rost. 

Gregarious  or  scattered ;  sporangia  globose,  wall  pale,  with  a 
silvery  sheen,  stem  elongated,  tapering  upwards,  base  expanding 
into  a  small  circular  hypothallus,  black ;  columella  about  one- 
third  the  height  of  the  sporangium,  clavate ;  threads  of  capil- 
litium  purple-brown,  springing  from  the  clavate  portion  of  the 
columella,  repeatedly  branching  in  a  dichotomous  manner,  the 
branches  anastomosing  to  form  a  network,  becoming  dense  and 
small  meshed  towards  the  periphery ;  spores  globose,  brown, 
minutely  verruculose,  11 — 15  ju.  diameter. 

Lamproderma  physarioides,  Rost.,  Mon.,  p.  202;  figs.  55,  59, 
62;  Cke.,  Myx.  Brit,  p.  49,  figs.  55,  59,  62;  Sacc.,  Syll.,  vii., 
n.  1342. 

On  rotten  wood,  moss,  &c.     Britain ;  Germany ;  U.  States. 

Distinguished  by  the  pale,  silvery  sporangial  wall,  the  clear 
brown  spores,  and  the  clavate  columella ;  2 — 3'5  mm.  high. 

(Rostafinski's  Synonym.) 

Stemonitis  physarioides,  A.  and  S.,  Consp.,  t.  11,  f.  8  (1805) ; 
B.  and  Br.,  Ann.  Nat.  Hist.,  no.  386;  Cke.,  Hdbk.,  no.  1161. 

C.     Spores  reticulated. 
Lamproderma  Fuckelianum,  Rost. 

Sporangia  globose,  almost  sessile,  slightly  umbilicate  belmv, 
reddish,  metallic ;  stem  from  its  shortness  almost  inconspicuous, 
entering  the  peridium  for  nearly  half  its  length  as  a  conical 
columella ;  threads  of  the  capillitium  sparingly  branched,  com- 
bined into  a  loose  network ;  spores  pale  violet,  with  thin  ridges 
combined  to  form  a  network,  8 — 9  /x  diameter. 


104          A  Monograph  of  the  Myxogastres. 

Lanqwoderma  Fuckclianum,  Rost.,  Mon.,  p.  207;  Sacc.,  Syll., 
vii.,  1,  n.  1347. 
Germany. 
Distinguished  more  especially  by  the  reticulated  epispore. 

Lamproderma  Lycopodii,  Raunk. 

Sporangia  single,  globose,  sessile,  on  a  violet-brown  hypo- 
thallus.  Wall,  columella,  capillitium,  and  spores  violet-brown. 
The  lower  part  of  the  wall  remains,  with  irregular,  tattered 
margin.  Columella  cylindrical,  nearly  reaching  half  the  height 
of  the  sporangium.  Capillitium  originating  singly  from  the 
upper  part  of  the  columella,  in  continuation  forked  more  and 
more,  especially  at  the  surface  of  the  sporangium,  combined 
into  a  net  by  transverse  branches,  extremities  rather  colourless, 
Spores  12 — 18  /ut  diameter,  on  the  surface  furnished  with  a 
delicate  network  of  fine  thickenings. 

Lamproderma  Lycopodii,  Raunk.,  Myx.  Dan.,  p.  108  (in 
English). 

(Raunkier's  Synonyms.) 

Stemonitis  cribrarioidcs,  Fries,  Syst.  Myc.,  iii.,  p.  163;  Sacc., 

Syll.,  vii.,  1,  no.  1370. 
Cnbraria  Lycoj>crdi,  Nees,  in  litt. 
On  the  leaves  of  Lycopodium  annotinum. 
Sealand. 

ENERTHENEMA,  Bowm. 

Sporangial  wall  very  thin,  fragile,  soon  disappearing;  stem 
continuing  as  a  columella  quite  through  the  sporangium  and 
expanding  at  its  apex  into  a  discoid  membrane  from  which  the 
capillitium  originates;  capillitium  of  slender,  sub-equal  threads 
which  bifurcate  and  anastomose  more  or  less  laterally,  tips  free ; 
spores  free  or  at  first  in  clusters. 

Enerthencma,  Bowman,  Trans.,  Linn.  Soc.  (1828),  xvi.,  p.  151 ; 
Rost.,  Mon.,  p.  209 ;  Cooke,  Myx.  Brit,  p.  51 ;  Raunk.,  Myx. 
Dan.,  p.  92 ;  Sacc.,  Syll.,  v.  7,  p.  402. 


Enerthenema.  105 

A  well-marked  genus,  characterized  by  the  capillitium 
originating  solely  from  the  peltate,  flattened  apex  of  the  colu- 
mella;  capillitium  dense,  threads  coloured,  thin,  sub-equal, 
branching  in  a  dichotomous  or  irregular  manner,  main  branches 
frequently  connected  by  transverse  bars,  tips  free ;  that  is,  not 
combined  into  a  net,  but  evidently  in  many  instances  showing 
indications  of  having  originally  been  attached  to  the  inside  of 
the  evanescent  sporangial  wall.  Connected  with  the  typical 
structure  met  with  in  the  Columelliferae  by  Raunkier's  genus 
Ancyrophorus,  which  agrees  with  Enerthenema  in  having  the 
columella  dilated  at  the  apex,  but  the  capillitium  originates 
from  the  columella  throughout  its  length  as  well  as  from  the 
disc,  and  the  tips  of  the  "threads  are  not  so  decidedly  free  from 
anastomosing  as  in  the  present  genus. 

Distrib.  Europe ;  United  States ;  New  Granada.     Sp.  3. 

Enerthenema  elegans,  Bowm.  (figs.  302 — 304). 

Sporangia  globose,  with  usually  a  minute  apical  umbo,  wall 
very  thin,  brownish,  iridescent,  fugitive ;  stem  thick,  conical, 
blackish-brown,  opaque,  continuing  as  a  thin  columella  quite 
through  the  sporangium  and  supporting  the  pendulous  capil- 
litium from  its  apical  disc,  threads  of  capillitium  brown,  siib-equal, 
2'5 — 3  fj.  thick,  often  minutely  and  irregularly  nodulose ;  spores 
globose,  free  from  the  first,  very  indistinctly  verruculose,  8 — 10  p 
diameter. 

Enerthenema  elegans,  Bowman,  Linn.  Trans.  (1828),  xvi., 
p.  151,  t.  16 ;  Rost,  MOD.,  p.  209,  figs.  45,  48,  49,  52,  57. 

Enerthenema  papillata,  Rost.,  Hon.,  App.,  p.  28 ;  Cooke,  Brit. 
Myx.,  p.  51,  figs.  45,  48,  49,  52,  57;  Sacc.,  Syll.,  no.  1378; 
Raunk.,  Myx.  Dan.,  p.  92,  t.  5,  f.  7. 

Britain  (Wothorpe,  Carlisle,  Edinburgh) ;  Germany ;  Finland ; 
United  States. 

On  wood  and  bark.  From  1*5  to  2  mm.  high,  wall  of  spor- 
angium disappearing  very  early,  hence  the  plant  is  usually 
met  with  having  the  capillitium  streaming  from  the  discoid 
apex  of  the  columella. 


106  A  Monograph  of  the  Myxogastres. 

Owing  to  an  oversight,  Enerthenema'  Berkeleyana  was  intro- 
duced by  Cooke  in  Myx.  Brit.,  p.  51,  as  a  native  of  Britain. 
This  species,  so  far  as  I  am  aware,  has  only  been  met  with  in 
S.  Carolina,  and  is  known  by  the  clustered  spores. 

(Rostafinski's  Synonyms.) 

Arcyria  atra,  Schum.,  Saell.,  no.  1487;  Fl.  Dan.,  t.  4194 

(1803). 
Enerthenema  elegans,  Bowm.,  Trans.  Linn.  Soc.,  xvi.,  p,  151, 

t.  16  (1828). 

Stemonitis  mammosa,  Fr.,  iii.,  161  (1829). 
Stemonitis  papillata,  De  Bary,  I.e.  (1859). 
Enerthenema  phoenicolcpta,  Bowm.,  msc. 

Enerthenema  Berkeleyana,  Rost. 

Sporangia  stipitate,  globose,  blackish,  wall  evanescent ;  stem 
black,  very  thick  at  the  base,  conical,  becoming  contracted  into 
a  thin,  cylindrical,  black  columella  that  reaches  to  the  apex  of 
the  sporangium,  and  there  becoming  expanded  into  a  disc ; 
capillitium  threads  dark,  springing  from  the  margin  of  the  disc, 
pendulous,  sparingly  forked,  rarely  joined  laterally;  spores 
blackish-purple  in  the  mass,  at  first  in  clusters  of  4 — 14,  sub- 
triangular  at  first,  free  portion  warted,  10 — 13  p.  diameter. 

Enerthenema  Bcrkeleyana,  Rost.,  Mon.,  Append.,  p.  29 ;  Cke., 
Myx.  Brit.,  p.  51. 

(Type  in  Herb.  Berk.,  Kew,  no.  10888.) 

On  boards.     South  Carolina. 

Closely  resembling  S.  elegans,  but  distinct  in  the  clustered 
spores  that  are  warted  on  the  free  surface  only.  The  stern  is 
not  always  thickened  below. 

Enerthenema  muscorum,  Lev. 

Gregarious,  black ;  stem  setaceous,  smooth,  expanding  at  the 
base  into  a  shield-like  hypothallus ;  sporangium  smooth ;  tubes 
of  the  capillitium  springing  from  the  lenticular  apex  of  the 


A  ncyrophorus.  107 

columella;  simple  for  some  distance,  then  branched  in  a 
dichotomous  or  vague  manner;  spores  globose,  brown. 

JSnerlhenema  muscorwm,  LeV.,  Ann.  Sci.  Nat,  Ser.  IV.,  vol. 
xix.,  p.  289  (1863) ;  Sacc.,  Syll,  vii.,  1,  no.  1380. 

On  moss.     New  Granada. 

The  information  respecting  the  present  species  is  insufficient 
to  indicate  its  specific  features  with  exactness. 


ANCYROPHORUS,  Baunk. 

Sporangium  stipitate.  Stem  prolonged  within  the  sporangium 
as  a  columella,  reaching  the  apex  of  the  sporangium  and  there 
expanding  into  a  discoid  membrane.  Capillitium  originating 
from  this  stout  discoid  membrane,  and  from  the  upper  part  of 
the  columella  proper.  Threads  of  the  capillitium  only  towards 
the  extremities  inconsiderably  forked,  the  extreme  branches 
arcuate  and  furnished  with  numerous  subulate  spines. 

Ancyrophorus,  Raunkier,  Myx.  Dan.,  in  Bot.  Tidsskrift. 
(Journ.  Bot.  Soc.  Bot.  de  Copenhague),  1888,  p.  92,  and  1889, 
p.  110  (in  English). 

Clossly  allied  to  JSnerthmema,  known  by  the  branches  of  the 
capillitium  springing  from  the  upper  portion  of  the  stem  as 
well  as  from  its  discoid  apex. 

Distrib.  Denmark.     Species  1. 

Ancyrophorus  crassipes,  Raunk. 

Sporangia  globose,  stipitate.  Stem  shorter  than  the  spor- 
angium, from  an  exceedingly  thick  base  lengthened  directly 
into  the  subulate  columella.  Threads  of  capillitium  combined 
by  very  few  transverse  branches.  The  extreme  branches  arcuate, 
and  provided  with  numerous  subulate  spines.  Stem,  columella, 
and  capillitium  dull  violet-black.  Spores  smooth  or  delicately 
warted;  bright  violet,  10 — 12  //,  diameter. 

Ancyrophorus  crassipes,  Raunk.,  Myx.  Dan.,  p.  93  (1888),  and 
p.  110  (1890)  in  English. 

On  rotten  wood.     Denmark. 


108          A  Monograph  of  the  Myxogastres. 

RACIBORSKIA,  Berl. 

Sporangia  naked,  globose,  stipitate,  stem  elongated,  entering 
the  sporangium  as  a  columella  from  one-third  to  half  its  height, 
bearing  at  the  apex  secondary,  short,  slender  columellas,  these 
in  turn  divide  in  a  similar  manner  to  the  primary  columella ; 
ultimate  branches  combined  amongst  themselves  at  every  point 
to  form  a  network ;  extreme  branchlets  not  free  but  arcuately 
combined  with  each  other. 

Hacibm'skia,  Berlese,  Sacc.,  Syll.,  vii.,  pt.  I.,  p.  400. 

Eostafinslda,  Racib.,  Myx.  Crac.,  p.  9  (not  of  Spegazzini). 

Distrib.  Poland.     Species  1. 

Raciborskia  elegans,  Berl. 

Sporangia  naked,  globose,  up  to  '5  mm.  broad,  stem  erect, 
1 — 2  mm.  high,  thickest  at  the  base,  then  subulate-attenuated, 
plicate,  black ;  columella  half  to  one-third  shorter  than  the 
sporangium,  cylindrical,  8 — 10  /u  thick ;  capillitium  blackish- 
violet,  exterior  threads  exceedingly  thin,  not  free ;  the  extreme 
branches  furnished  with  scattered  spines;  spores  9 — 10  JA 
diameter,  obscure  violet,  aculeate. 

Raciborslcia  dcgansy  Racib.,  Myx.  Crac.,  p.  10,  fig.  5. 

Poland. 

Raciborski  considers  that  the  present  species  is  allied  to 
Rostafinski's  genus  Echinostclium.  He  also  inclines  to  the  idea 
that  tire  genus  Orthotricha  may  prove  to  be  identical  with  his 
Raciboi'slcm  ( =  Rostqfinskiay  Racib.).* 

ECHINOSTELIUM,  De  Bary. 

Sporangia  stipitate,  columella  absent,  capillitium  originating 
from  apex  of  stem,  threads  arcuate,  combined  to  form  a  loose 
network,  furnished  with  numerous  spine-like  free  arms. 

Echinostelium,  De  Bary,  in  Rost.,  Mon.,  p.  215;  Cooke,  Brit. 
Myx.,  p.  53. 

*  Hedwigia,  March  and  April,  1889. 


Orthotricha.  109 

Echinostelium  minutum,  De  Bary  (fig.  202). 

Sporangia  scattered,  stipitate,  globose,  naked,  whitish ;  the 
arcuate  threads  of  the  capillitium  springing  from  the  apex  of 
the  stem,  furnished  with  numerous  acute,  free  branches ;  spores 
coloured,  6*7 — 8'3  p.  diameter,  smooth. 

Echinostdium  .minutum,  De  Bary,  in  Host.,  Mon.,  p.  215, 
figs.  53,  54,  58,  and  68 ;  Cke.,  Brit.  Myx.,  figs.  53,  54,  58,  68 ; 
Sacc.,  Syll.,  vii.,  1,  no.  1340. 

ORTHOTRICHA,  Wingate. 

Sporangium  globose  ;  stipe  elongated,  entering  the  sporangium 
as  a  very  short  or  obsolete  columella,  and  then  dividing  into 
a  few  branches  at  a  sharp  angle.  These  branches  fork  several 
times,  thus  forming  a  capillitium  of  straight  threads.  The  last 
branches  meet  at  the  surface  of  sporangium  at  a  very  sharp 
angle  by  twos  or  threes,  where  they  are  joined  together  by 
small  membranaceous  plates.  Wall  of  the  sporangium,  with 
the  exception  of  the  plates  and  a  very  small  collar  around  the 
stipe,  not  apparent. 

Orthotricha,  Wingate ;  Proc.  Acad.  Nat.  Sci.  Phil.,  1886, 
p.  125;  Sacc.,  Syll.,  vii.,  pt.  I,  p.  400. 

Distrib.  United  States.     Sp.  1. 

Orthotricha  microcephala,  Wingate. 

Sporangia  globose,  very  variable  in  size,  from  one-twelfth  to 
one-fourth  of  a  mm.  in  diameter;  stipe  elongated,  brown  or 
blackish  at  the  base,  growing  lighter  towards  the  top,  more 
or  less  translucent,  ten  to  thirty  times  the  diameter  of  the 
sporangium  in  height,  tapering,  rugose,  except  at  the  upper 
part,  where  it  more  or  less  suddenly  becomes  a  smooth  filament, 
entering  the  sporangium  as  a  very  short,  sometimes  almost 
obsolete  columella.  It  then  divides  into  a  few  (sometimes  only 
two)  branches  at  a  sharp  angle.  These  branches  fork  several 
times,  forming  a  very  loose  capillitium  of  straight  threads,  the 


110  A  Monograph  of  the  Myxogastres. 

last  branches  meeting  at  the  surface  of  the  sporangium'  by  twos 
or  threes  at  a  very  sharp  angle,  where  their  slightly  thickened 
ends  are  joined  together  by  minute,  nieinbranaceous  plates. 
Sporangium  wall  not  apparent,  except  a  slight  collar  around 
the  stipe  as  it  enters  the  sporangium ;  spores  brown  in  mass, 
very  light-violet,  almost  colourless,  under  the  microscope,  per- 
fectly smooth,  7 — 8  mm.  in  diameter. 

On  rotten  logs,  Philadelphia,  Pa. 

This  plant  has  been  found  during  three  seasons  in  Fairmont 
Park,  Philadelphia,  Pa.,  in  many  localities.  The  plasmodium 
has  a  dirty-brown  colour.  When  erecting,  the  dark,  granular 
substance  of  the  mass  is  left  in  the  matter  which  is  to  form 
the  stipe,  and  the  globule  of  the  sporangium  becomes  milky 
white.  Before  the  stipe  has  reached  its  full  height,  say  in  the 
upper  fifth,  the  sporangium  mass  leaves  behind  it,  clustered 
around  the  stipe,  several  (2 — 8)  clear,  highly-refractive,  minute 
globules,  which,  in  a  recently-matured  plant,  sparkle  like  dew- 
drops.  The  plant  continues  erecting,  but  from  the  place  where 
the  globules  are  left  behind,  the  stipe  very  frequently  suddenly 
narrows,  sometimes  to  a  mere  filament.  As  the  plants  become 
old,  the  dew-like  globules  become  amber-coloured,  but  remain 
transparent.  These  clear  globules  have  been  occasionally  noted 
by  the  writer  on  the  sporangium  wall  of  Comatrichas,  and  have 
been  considered  as  an  indication  of  some  degree  of  immaturity, 
hence  they  have  not  been  mentioned  in  the  description  as 
having  a  specific  value.  In  the  plants,  as  found  in  different 
places,  they  are  constant,  though  sometimes  fused  into  one 
mass.  The  finer  filaments  of  the  capillitium,  in  fluid  under 
the  microscrope,  are  almost  colourless.  The  plants  are  more 
or  less  sociable,  sometimes  forming  patches  an  inch  or  so  in 
diameter,  and  may  readily  be  mistaken  for  a  mould.  (Wing.) 

OrtliotrwJm  microccphala,  Wingate,  in  Proc.  Acad.  Nat.  Science, 
Philadelphia,  1886,  p.  125;  Sacc.,  Syll.,  vii.,  pt.  I.,  n. 

Exsiccs — Ellis  and  Everhart,  N.  Arner.  Fung.,  Ser.  II.,  n.  2498. 

A  very  beautiful  and  at  the  same  time  puzzling  form.  I  am 
not  at  all  convinced  in  my  own  mind  as  to  whether  the  present 
genus  belongs  to  the  present  division  or  to  the  Peritricheae. 


Calotricheae.  Ill 


CALOTRICHEAE. 

The  varied  types  of  ornamentation  under  the  form  of  warts, 
spines,  or  raised  bands,  often  arranged  in  the  form  of  half-rings, 
or  anastomosing  to  form  a  network  on  the  surface  of  the  capil- 
litium  tubes,  constitute  the  most  pronounced  character  of  the 
present  order.  In  connection  with  spore  dissemination,  the 
capillitium  here  reaches  its  highest  development,  due  to  the 
elasticity  of  the  tubes,  which  are  never  rigid  with  lime,  and 
in  the  most  perfect  genera  are  quite  free  from  the  sporangial 
wall.  The  elasticity  is  not  due  to  stretching,  but  to  the  sudden 
straightening  out  of  previously  coiled-up  tubes.  If  an  immature 
sporangium  of  Arcyria  cinerea  having  the  spores  and  capillitium 
fully  differentiated,  is  hardened  in  alcohol,  a  section  shows  the 
tubes  of  the  capillitium,  which  are  combined  to  form  a  network, 
to  be  much  contorted,  and  consequently  shortened  so  that  the 
net-like  structure  is  not  evident,  the  interspaces  between  the 
convolutions  of  the  tubes  being  filled  with  spores.  This  arrange- 
ment of  parts  continues  until  the  spores  are  mature,  and  owing 
to  the  disappearance  of  water,  form  a  powdery  mass,  when  the 
coiled-up  tubes  straighten  out  and  the  network  becomes  fully 
expanded,  resulting  in  an  increase  of  ten  or  more  times  in  the 
length  and  breadth  of  the  capillitium.  This  expansion  takes 
place  suddenly,  with  the  result  that  the  mass  of  spores  are 
carried  up  and  dispersed.  During  the  expansion  of  the  capil- 
litium the  sporangial  wall  is  torn  into  fragments,  and  disappears 
with  the  exception  of  a  small  portion  at  the  base  which,  owing 
to  its  firmer  consistency  and  comparative  freedom  from  the 
expansion  exerted  by  the  capillitium,  remains  in  the  form  of 
a  cup  or  calyculus.  In  the  genius  Trichia  the  free  tubes  or 
elaters  are  very  much  coiled  up  and  contorted  until  the  spores 
are  mature,  when  by  suddenly  straightening  out,  the  wall  of 
the  sporangium  is  ruptured  and  some  of  the  spores  thrown  out, 
but  the  arrangement  is  not  so  perfect  as  in  Arcyria.  In  some 
of  the  comparatively  imperfect  genera,  as  Perickaena,  the 
capillitium  is  scanty  or  obsolete.  Yellow  is  the  predominating 


112  A  Monograph  of  the  Myxogastres. 

colour  of  the  spores  as  seen  in  the  mass,  passing  in  some  species 
to  deep  orange  and  orange-brown ;  similar  colours  are  met  with 
in  the  sporangia!  wall.  In  the  genus  Perichaena  the  inner 
surface  of  the  sporangial  wall  is  frequently  covered  with  a  layer 
of  amorphous  granules  of  lime.  In  stipitate  forms  of  some 
species  belonging  to  the  genera  Arcyria,  Heterotrichia,  and 
Trichia,  the  stem  is  filled  with  cells  which  are  either  spherical 
or  polygonal  from  mutual  pressure.  These  cells,  when  young, 
contain  protoplasm,  and  the  wall  gives  a  cellulose  reaction ; 
they  are  usually  largest  at  the  base  of  the  stem,  and  become 
smaller  upwards,  passing  insensibly  into  normal  spores  at  the 
point  where  the  stem  expands  into  the  sporangium.  The  tubes 
of  the  capillitium  frequently  pass  down  between  these  cells 
into  the  stem.  It  would  appear  as  if  the  stem  cells  had 
originally  been  intended  for  tme  spores,  but  owing  to  the 
contraction  of  the  base  of  the  sporangium  into  a  stem  had  been 
checked  in  their  development. 


TRK 
OLIGO 
PROTOT 

IHIA. 

NEMA. 
RICHIA 

ARCYRIA. 
HETEROTRICHIA. 
LACHNOBOLOS. 

Ol'HIOTHECA 

^^^               LYCOGALA. 
^  PERICHAENA.-^ 

^ 

CALOTRICHEAE. 
/CLATHROFTYCHIDMA 

XPERITRICHEAE./ 


ANALYSIS   OF  THE   GENERA. 
CALOTRICHEAE. 

Sub-sect.    TRICHEAE. 
Maters  free,  not  forming  a  network. 
TRICHIA.    Elaters  with  well-developed  spirals. 
OLIGONEMA.     Elaters  without  distinct  spirals. 


Arcyriae.  113 

Sub-sect.    ARCYRIAE. 

Elaters  attached  to  wall  of  sporangium  only  slightly  branched 
or  forming  a  network. 

PROTOTRICHIA.  Elaters  fixed  by  one  end  to  base  of  spor- 
angium, tips  free. 

PERICHAENA.  Sporangial  wall  with  a  layer  of  lime  granules 
inside ;  capillitium  scanty. 

Ophiotheca.  Threads  of  capillitium  usually  spiny,  of  equal 
thickness,  forming  a  net  with  numerous  blunt,  free  arms. 

ffeterotrichia.  Threads  of  capillitium  of  two  distinct  thick- 
nesses, forming  a  net,  outer  network  with  numerous  free, 
pointed  arms. 

Lachnobolus.  Threads  of  capillitium  forming  a  network 
attached  at  numerous  points  to  wall  of  sporangium. 

ARCYRIA.  Threads  of  capillitium  forming  a  network  usually 
elastically  protruded  at  maturity. 

LYCOGALA.  Cortex  containing  numerous  cells  filled  with 
protoplasm,  capillitium  tubes  thick. 

Sub-sect.    ARCYRIAE. 

PERICHAENA,  Fries. 

Sporangia  sessile,  gregarious,  dehiscing  irregularly  or  in  a 
circumscissile  manner,  wall  usually  double,  the  outer  often 
containing  granules  of  lime  or  a  layer  of  granules  of  organic 
matter ;  capillitium  variously  developed,  in  some  species  form- 
ing an  irregular  network  attached  at  various  points  to  the  upper 
portion  of  sporangial  wall,  in  other  species  almost  obsolete, 
threads  of  the  capillitium  without  definite  markings,  either 
quite  smooth  or  with  a  few  scattered,  rudimentary  spinules  or 
notch-like  constrictions ;  spores  globose. 

Perichaena,  Fries,  Gast.,  p.  12;  Rost.,  Mon.,  p.  292;  Cooke, 
Myx.  Brit.,  p.  77 ;  £opf,  p.  169 ;  Sacc.,  Syll.,  vii.  pt.  I.,  p.  420. 

The  most  prominent  generic  features  are  the  circumscissile 
dehiscence  of  the  sporangium,  which  however  is  not  universal, 
the  layer  of  amorphous  particles  of  lime  or  of  organic  matter 


114  A  Monograph  of  tlie  Myxogastres. 

inside  the  sporangial  wall,  and  the  smooth  or  obsoletely  marked 
threads  of  the  capillitium.  The  present  genus  is  allied  to 
Arcyria;  in  Arcyria  parqdoxa  we  meet  with  lumps  of  lime  and 
of  organic  matter  on  the  inner  surface  of  the  sporangial  wall, 
but  the  capillitium  is  characteristic  of  Arcyria. 

The  present  genus  is  yet  more  closely  allied  to  Ophiotheca; 
in  fact  it  is  impossible  to  say  where  one  ends  and  the  other 
commences ;  in  Perichaena  the  capillitium  threads  are  typically 
without  external  markings,  whereas  in  Lachnobolus  the  threads 
have  distinct  raised  markings,  but  in  each  genus  species  occur 
deviating  from  the  typical  idea  and  in  the  direction  of  the  other 
genus,  and  it  is  doubtful  whether  the  presence  or  absence  of 
markings  on  capillitium  threads  alone,  even  if  constant,  is  of 
sufficient  value  to  constitute  a  generic  distinction. 

Distrib.  Europe ;  Borneo ;  W.  Australia  ;  Canada ;  United 
States.  Species  9. 

Perichaena  depressa,  Libert,  (figs.  118 — 120). 

Sporangia  usually  gregarious  or  much  crowded,  polygonal 
from  mutual  pressure,  very  much  depressed,  and  almost  plane 
above,  dehiscing  in  a  circumscissile  manner,  brown,  sometimes 
with  a  purple  tinge,  polished ;  mass  of  capillitium  and  spores 
bright  orange-yellow;  capillitium  usually  well-developed,  threads 
variable  in  width,  smooth,  rarely  notched  or  furnished  with 
rudimentary  scattered  spinules ;  spores  globose,  minutely  warted, 
9 — 12  \i.  diameter. 

Perichaena.  depressa,  Lib.,  PI.  Or.  Ard.,  Fasc.  IV.,  n.  378 ; 
Host.,  Mon.,  p.  292;  Cke.,  Myx.  Brit.,  p.  77;  Sacc.,  Syll, 
1434;  Raunk.,  Myx.  Dan.,  p.  54. 

Exsicc—  Sacc.,  Myc.  Ven.  500;  Ellis,  N.  Amer.  Fung.,  1218; 
Roum.  Fung.  Gall.,  2113;  Fuckel.,  Fung.  Rhen.,  2200;  Lib.,  PI. 
Crypt.  Ard.,  Fasc.  IV.,  n.  378. 

On  wood,  &c.  Up  to  1  mm.  diameter.  Characterized  by  the 
very  much  flattened  sporangia  and  bright  yellow  mass  of  spores. 

Britain  (Carlisle) ;  Germany ;  Bohemia ;  Belgium ;  Italy  ; 
France ;  United  States. 


Perichaena  corticalis.  115 


(Rostafinski's  Synonyms.) 

Perichaena  vaporaria,  Schw.,  Am.,  2311  (1831). 
Perichaena  depressa,  Lib.,  Exs.,  n.  378  (1837). 
Stegasma  depressum,  Cda.,  Ic.  V.,  f.  13  (1842). 


Perichaena  corticalis,  Rost.  (figs.  114 — 117). 

Sporangia  spherico-depressed,  crowded,  dehiscing  in  a  circum- 
scissile  manner,  lid  convex,  brown,  bluish-purple,  sometimes 
whitish,  smooth ;  mass  of  capillitium  and  spores  pale  yellow ; 
capillitium  scanty,  sometimes  almost  obsolete,  threads  thin, 
smooth,  or  here  and  there  notched ;  spores  globose,  warted,  warts 
variable  in  size,  sometimes  very  indistinct,  at  others  well- 
developed,  never  smooth,  9 — 12  ju,  diameter. 

Perichaena  corticalis,  Rost.,  Mon.,  p.  293,  figs.  188 ;  Cke.,  Myx. 
Brit.,  78,  fig.  188 ;  Sacc.,  Syll.,  n.  1435 ;  Raunk.,  Myx.  Dan., 
p.  53. 

Perichaena  fa-sco-atra,  Rost.,  Mon.,  p.  294 ;  Cke.,  Myx.  Brit., 
78 ;  Sacc.,  Syll.,  n.  1436. 

Perichaena  quercina,  Fr.,  Gast.,  p.  12.  (Specimen  from  Fries 
in  Herb.,  Kew.) 

Exsicc. — Sydow,  Myc.  March.,  1669;  Karst.,  Fung.  Fenn., 
179;  Fuckel.,  Fung.  Rhen.,  1899;  Berk.,  Brit.  Fung.,  47; 
Desm.,  Or.  Fr.,  Ser.  I.,  671. 

On  bark  and  wood.  Britain  (Lyndhurst,  Kew,  Derby,  Castle 
Howard,  Yorks ;  Carlisle,  Edinburgh,  Appin,  N.  B.) ;  Europe ; 
Canada ;  United  States ;  W.  Australia ;  Ceylon. 

Very  closely  allied  to  P.  depressa,  if  indeed  really  distinct  as 
a  species,  the  less  depressed  sporangium  and  scanty  capillitium 
are  the  distinguishing  features  of  the  present  species. 

In  some  specimens  tha  wall  of  the  sporangium  has  a  dense 
layer  of  angular  particles  of  lime,  and  is  consequently  nearly  or 
quite  white  externally,  in  others  the  lime  is  scanty  and  in  its 
place  a  layer  of  amorphous,  coloured  granules  of  organic  matter 
which  give  the  brown  or  reddish-purple  colour  to  the  sporangial 


116          A  Monograph  of  the  Myxogastres. 

wall.     The  spores  vary  in  markings  from  vague  granulations 
to  well-defined  warts. 

(Rostafinski's  Synonyms.) 

(Perichaena  corlicalis). 

Lycopcrdon  corticale,  Batsch.  EL,  p.  155  (1783). 
Sphacrocarpus  sessilis,  Bull.,  t.  417,  f.  5  (1791). 
Trichia  gymnosperma,  Pers.,  Obs.,  vi.,  f.  1,  2  (1796). 
Trichia  circumscissa,  Schrad.,  p.  19  (1797). 
Licea  circumscissa,  Pers.,  Syn.,  196  (1801). 
Physarum  luteo-album,  Schum.,  Saell.,  1430  (1803). 
Tulmlina  circumscissa,  Poir.,  Ency.,  viii.,  5  (1808). 
Perichaena  populina,  Fr.,  Gast.,  12    (1817);   Grev.,   t.   252; 

Erig.  Fl.,  v.,  321 ;  Cooke,  Hdbk.,  No.  1192. 
Pcrichaena  populina,  )3  sorbea,  Weinm.  in  Fr.  S.  M.,  iii.,  192 

(1829). 

Pcrichaena  quercina,  Fries,  Gast.,  p.  12  (1817). 
Trichia  varia  subrufescens,  Bong.  Herb. 
Licea  quercina,  Walk.  Fl.  Cry.,  2103  (1833). 
Licea  artocreas,  B.  and  Rav.,  Fungi  Car.,  ii.,  82. 
Pcrichaena  artocrcas,  B.  and  Rav.,  Grev.,  No.  370  (1873). 

(Pcrichaena  fusco-atra.) 

Mucor  lycoperdioides,  Scop.  Ann.,  iv.,  t.  1,  f.  11  (1772). 
Trichia  fusco-atra,  Sibth.  Fl.  Ox.,  1152  (1794). 
SpJuterocarjms  scssitis,  Sow.,  t.  258  (1803). 
Licea  circumscissa,  ft  abictina,  A.  and  S.,  p.  108  (1805). 
Perichaena  abietina,  Fr.,  Gast.,  p.  17  (1817) ;  Eng.  Fl.,  v.,  321 ; 

Cooke,  Hdbk.,  No.  1191. 
Perichaena   microcarpa,   Sauter.    Rabh.   DC.    Fl.,   No.    2180 

(1844). 

Perichaena  applanata,  Mass. 

Sessile,  adnate  on  a  broad  base,  much  depressed,  circular  in 
outline  or  aethalioid  and  irregular,  dehiscing  in  an  irregularly 
circumscissile  manner,  wall  with  a  dense  layer  of  granules 
of  lime  on  its  inner  surface,  bright  Uuc-grcy  ;  mass  of  capillitium 


Perichaena.  117 

and  spores  clear  orange-yellcnv  ;  capillitium  rather  scanty,  form- 
ing a  loose  net,  threads  3 — 5  ^"diameter,  sometimes  notched  or 
with  scattered  rudimentary  spinules;  spores  globose,  minutely 
warted,  11 — 12  /x  diameter. 

Hemiarcyria  applanata,  Cke.  and  Mass.,  Grev.,  vol.  xvi.,  p.  20. 
(Type  in  Herb.,  Kew.) 

On  wood.     Brisbane. 

From  1 — 2  mm.  diameter.  Readily  known  by  the  bright 
grey  sporangium  and  the  clear  orange  spore-mass.  The  present 
species,  owing  to  superficial  examination,  was  originally  described 
as  a  Hemiarcyria. 

Perichaena  microcarpa,  Schroet. 

Sporangia  distinct  or  confluent  in  minute  clusters,  generally 
globose,  0'5  mm.  diameter,  rarely  unequal,  depressed,  yellow- 
brown,  smooth,  dehiscing  irregularly  ;  capillitium  well-developed, 
threads  golden-yellow,  1*5 — 2  /x  thick,  combined  to  form  a  loose, 
regular  net,  thickened  at  the  angles,  smooth ;  spores  golden-yellow, 
globose,  15 — 17  ft  diameter,  epispore  strongly  aculeolate. 

Perichaena  microcarpa,  Schroeter,  Krypt.  Fl.  Schles.  Pilze, 
p.  108;  Sacc.,  Syll.,  vii.,  pt.  I.,  n.  1445. 

On  rotten  leaves.     Silesia. 

Perichaena  Rostafinskii,  Karst. 

Sporangia  scattered  or  sub-gregarious,  sessile,  spherical,  yellow- 
ish then  bay,  shining;  capillitium  obsolete;  spores  globose, 
smooth,  or  nearly  so,  in  the  mass  Uackish-broivn,  brownish  under 
the  microscope,  variable  in  size,  10 — 27  /^  diameter. 

Perichaena  Rostafinskii,  Karst.,  Myc.  Fenn.  IV.,  p.  130 ;  Sacc., 
Syll.,  n.  1444. 

On  dead  moss,  rotten  leaves,  &c.     Finland. 

The  variability  in  the  markings  and  size  of  the  spores  suggests 
that  Karsten  has  had  an  immature  species  under  consideration. 

Perichaena  confusa,  Mass.  (n.  sp.). 

Sporangia  hemispherical  and  scattered  or  aethalioid,  and  often 
forming  an  irregular  network,  pale  umber  or  dingy  ochraceous, 


118  A  Monograph  of  the  Myxogastres. 

dehiscing  irregularly;  capillitium  well  developed,  forming  an 
irregular,  loose  network,  threads  2 — 4  n*  thick,  irregularly 
notched;  spores  globose,  smooth,  13 — 14  /u  diameter;  mass  of 
capillitium  and  spores  dingy  ochraceous,  sometimes  with  a 
suggestion  of  olive. 

(Type  in  Herb.,  Kew.) 

Exsicc. — Ellis,  N.  Amer.  Fung.,  n.  726  (as  Ophiotheca  umbrina, 
Berk.). 

On  wood,  leaves,  &c.  Britain  (Lyme  Regis,  Yatton) ;  U. 
States. 

Berkeley's  description  of  Opkiotheca  umbrina  is  very  imperfect, 
as  shown  by  examination  of  his  type  specimen,  which  proves 
to  be  identical  with  Physarum  vermiculare,  Sz.  Rostafinski  had 
not  seen  Berkeley's  type,  but  gave  the  original  description  and 
changed  the  name  to*  Perichaena  varidbilis,  Rost.  Berkeley's 
imperfect  description  of  Ophiotheca  umbrina  curiously  agrees  in 
many  points  with  the  present  species  which  was  unknown 
to  him.  Rarely  with  simple,  normal  sporangia,  usually  elon- 
gated and  curved,  forming  rings,  flexuous  vein-like  strands,  or 
combined  to  form  a  network.  The  species  is  a  connecting  link 
between  Perichaena  and  Ophiotheca,  having  the  capillitium  of 
the  former  without  distinct  markings,  but  the  peculiar  habit 
of  Ophiotheca. 

Perichaena  li  ceo  ides,  Rost. 

Sporangia  globose,  scattered  or  gregarious,  dehiscing  in  an 
irregularly  circumscissile  manner;  spores  smooth,  globose,  9 — 10 
/*  diameter ;  capillitium  scanty,  threads  slender,  branched,  with 
minute  included  granules. 

Pcrichaena  liccoides,  Rost.,  Mon.,  p.  295 ;  Sacc.,  Syll.,  vol.  vii., 
part  I.,  n.  1438. 

Licea  pannorum,  Cienk.,  Pringsh.  Jahrb.,  vol.  in.,  p.  407, 
t.  17,  fig.  1  (not  of  Wallr.). 

On  leaves.     Germany. 

Doubtful  species. 
Perichaena  pallida,  Berl. 
Sporangia   gregarious,  very  pale  tan  colour;   spores  yellow, 


Lycogala.  119 

but  paler  than  in  Perichaena  austvajlis,  whose  chestnut-coloured 
sporangia  and  intense  golden  spore-mass  distinguish  it  from 
the  present  species. 

Perichaena  pallida,  Berl.,  Sacc.,  Syll.,  n.  1446. 

Stegasma  pallidum,  Cesati,  Myc.  Born.,  p.  12. 

Borneo  (Sarawak). 

Perichaena  australis,  Berl. 

Sporangia  often  circinnate,  angular,  central  ones  .orbicular, 
at  first  yellow,  passing  through  chestnut  to  brown,  smooth,  lid 
plane ;  capillitium  yellow ;  spores  sub-globose,  granular  within, 
opaque,  yellow. 

Perichaena  australis,  Berl.,  Sacc.,  Syll.,  vii.,  1,  n.  1447. 

Stegasma  australe,  Cesati,  Hedwigia,  1874,  p.  186. 

Borneo. 

Perichaena  ?  pseudaecidium,  Speg. 

Sporangia  cylindrical,  conical,  or  calyciform,  1 — 1*5  mm.  long, 
by  0*5 — 1  mm.  broad,  sessile  or  shortly  stipitate,  wall  very  thin, 
cartilagineo-membranaceous,  base  even  or  minutely  rugulose, 
dehiscing  at  the  apex  in  an  irregularly  laciniate  or  fimbriate 
manner,  chestnut  or  brownish;  mass  of  spores  and  capillitium 
citrin  or  yellowish ;  capillitium  threads  very  slender,  1  ju,  thick, 
sparingly  branched,  here  and  there  with  solitary  conical  or  elon- 
gated branch-like  spines,  yellowish,  hyaline;  spores  globose,  6 — 7  //, 
diameter,  often  irregularly  angular  from  mutual  pressure,  per- 
fectly smooth,  pale  vinous  with  yellow  tinge. 

Perichaena  ?  pseudaecidium,  Speg.,  Fung.  Guar.,  n.  321. 

On  living  fronds  of  many  different  species  of  fern,  and  on 
Tillandsia  muscoides. 

Argentine  Republic. 

A  very  beautiful  but  paradoxical  species  exactly  resembling 
a  folicolous  Aecidium,  will  probably  form  the  type  of  a  new 
genus  (Speg.).  Possibly  a  sp.  of  Chondrioderma. 

LYCOGALA,  Mich. 
Sporangia  aethalioid,  grouped  together  in  an  intricate  manner, 


120  A  Monograph  of  the  Myxogastres. 

and  forming  a  large  plasmodiocarp,  enclosed  in  a  well-defined, 
thick,  common  cortex,  enclosing  near  the  outer  side  numerous 
cell-like  masses  of  protoplasm ;  capillitium  originating  at 
numerous  points  in  the  inner  portion  of  the  cortex,  forming  an 
irregular,  loose  net  with  numerous  free  ends,  threads  ornamented 
with  warts  or  raised  bands  forming  irregularly  arranged  rings, 
spirals,  or  anastomosing  to  form  a  network  ;  spores  globose. 

Lycogala,  Mich.,  Host.,  Mon.,  p.  285;  Cooke,  Myx.  Brit., 
p.  74 ;  Sacc.,  Syll.,  v.,  7,  pt.  I.,  p.  435. 

Lycoper&on,  Bux.,  p.  203. 

Dcrmodmm,  Host.,  Mon.,  p.  284 ;  Sacc.,  Syll.,  p.  434 ;  Cke., 
Myx.,  p.  74. 

The  species  resemble  those  of  Heticularia  in'their  large  size, 
forming  hemispherical  or  irregularly  elongated  masses  up  to 
four  inches  in  diameter.  The  stout  cortex  covering  the  inter- 
woven mass  of  aethalioid  sporangia  presents  a  complicated 
structure.  In  L.  epidcndron,  the  most  highly  evolved  species, 
the  cortex  contains  towards  the  outside  numerous  irregularly- 
shaped  coloured  masses  of  protoplasm  of  various  sizes,  each 
surrounded  by  a  special  wall ;  these  are  sometimes  so  numerous 
as  to  present  the  appearance  of  closely  aggregated  polygonal 
cells  when  seen  in  section.  The  tubes  of  the  capillitium  originate 
in  the  thick  corte'x  from  the  cells  of  protoplasm  just  described, 
and  frequently  combine  to  form  an  irregular  reticulation  in  the 
substance  of  the  cortex ;  in  this  position  the  tubes  are  very 
thick,  reaching  to  '20  /x'in  diameter,  and  consist,  as  it  were,  of 
two  tubes,  one  enclosed  within  the  other ;  the  outer  tube,  the 
wall  enclosing  the  protoplasm,  has  very  thick,  perfectly  smooth, 
colourless  walls,  and  disappears  at  the  point  where  the  capil- 
litium breaks  through  the  walls  to  enter  the  mass  of  aethalia 
forming  the  plasmodiocarp.  The  inner  tube  has  a  very  thin, 
faintly-tinged  wall  furnished  with  intermixed  warts  and  raised 
bands  anastomosing  to  form  an  irregular  network;  the  inner 
tube  is  completely  surrounded  by  the  outer  at  its  apex,  until 
the  whole  structure  has  grown  beyond  the  inner  surface  of  the 
cortex,  when  the  inner  tube  pushes  through  the  apex  of  the 
outer  smooth  tube  and  alone  forms  the  capillitium.  The  outer 


Lycogala.  121 

common  cortex  cannot  in  the  pfesent  instance  be  considered 
as  excretory,  and  solely  for  protective  purposes,  but  must  be 
considered  as  a  living  portion  of  the  organism  giving  origin  to 
the  complex  capillitium,  the  tubes  of  which  appear  to  increase 
in  length  by  apical  growth.  The  tubes  of  the  capillitium  that 
enter  the  aethalia  collapse  before  the  spores  are  mature,  and 
consequently  exercise  no  dispersive  function.  The  scheme  of 
classification  adopted  in  the  present  work,  I  much  regret  to 
say,  is  founded  mostly  on  characters  presented  by  mature  forms, 
hence  the  elaborate  ornamention  of  the  capillitium  tubes  places 
the  present  genus  in  the  sub-family  Calotrichcae ;  whereas,  if 
the  capillitium  is  a  continuation  of  the  cortex,  or  rather  a 
development  directly  from  the  cortex,  Peritrichcae  would  be  its 
proper  position. 

Distrib.  Cosmopolitan.     Species  6. 

Lycogala  epidendrum,  Rost.  (figs.  121,  122). 

Plasmodiocarp  sub-globose,  gregarious  or  rarely  solitary,  "5 — 2 
cm.  diameter,  surface,  minutely  warted,  variable  in  colour,  rose- 
red,  dingy  vermilion,  or  brownish  red;  threads  of  capillitium 
almost  colourless,  8 — 12  n  thick,  springing  from  the  cortex, 
becoming  irregularly  branched  with  various  free,  slightly  in- 
crassated  tips,  now  and  then  anastomosing  laterally,  furnished 
with  warts,  short  bands,  irregular  rings  or  spirals,  or  with  the 
raised  bands  anastomosing  to  form  an  irregular  network ; 
frequently  all  the  above  modifications  may  be  seen  on  the 
same  tube,  wall  thin  and  soon  collapsing ;  spore-mass  variable 
in  colour,  dingy  purple,  flesh-colour,  greyish-yellow,  or  some- 
times with  a  dingy  green  tinge,  spores  globose,  minutely  but 
distinctly  wartcd,  4 — 6  n  diameter. 

Lycogala  epidendrum,  Rost.,  Mon.,  85,  figs.  1,  7 — 12;  Cke., 
Myx.  Brit.,  75,  figs.  1,  7 — 12;  Sacc.,  Syll.,  vol.  vii.,  pt.  I., 
n.  1484;  Raunk,  Myx.  Dan.,  p.  62;  Zopf,  p.  168. 

Lycogala  a/ine,  Berk,  and  Br.,  Ceylon  Fung,  (type  in  Herb. 
Berk.,  Kew,  n.  10702). 

Lycogala  atropurpureum,  B.  and  Br.,  Ceylon  Fung.,  n.  735 
(type  in  Herb.  Berk,  Kew,  n.  10703). 


122  A  Monograph  of  the  Myxogastres. 

Lycogala  nitidum,  B.  and  Br.,  Ceylon  Tung.,  n.  734. 

Lycogala  terrestre,  Fr.,  Syst.  Myc.,  iii.,  p.  83  (specimen  from 
Fries  in  Herb.  Berk.,  Kew). 

Exsicc—  Cke.,  Fung.  Brit,  Ed.  II.,  614;  Ellis,  N.  Amer. 
Fung.,  334;  Karst,  Fung.  Fenn.,  287;  Thum.,  Fung.  Austr., 
522;  Fckl.,  Fung.  Rhen.,  1475;  Rav.,  Fung.  Car.,  78;  Mong. 
and  Nest.,  n.  85 ;  Kunze,  Fung.  Sel.,  197 ;  Westendorp,  Crypt. 
Belg.,  741 ;  Jack,  Leiner  u.  Sitz.,  330 ;  Desmaz.  Cr.  Fr.,  Ser.  I., 
609;  Rab.,  Fung.  Eur.  2140;  Sydow,  Myc.  March.,  186;  Roum., 
Fung.  Gall.,  2813. 

On  decaying  trunks,  stumps,  &c.  Plasmodium  rose-coloured, 
or  sometimes  bright  scarlet.  Britain  (Kew,  New  Forest,  Rudloe, 
Scarboro',  Carlisle,  Appin,  N.  B.,  Abergavenny) ;  Europe ;  U. 
States;  Bermuda;  Venezuela;  Cuba;  Algeria;  S.  Africa; 
Himalayas ;  Ceylon ;  Madagascar ;  New  Guinea ;  W.  Australia. 

(Rostafinski's  Synonyms.) 

Fungus  coccincus,  Ray  Syn.,  ii.,  336  (1690). 

Fungus  sanguineus,  Bocc.  Mus.,  p.  304  (1697). 

Fungus  non  vescus,  Lses.  Fl.  Prus.,  96  (1703). 

Lycoperdon  sanguineurn'Rupp.  Fl.  Jen.,  304  (1718). 

Bavista  miniata,  Dill.  Cat.  PL,  197  (1719). 

Lycoperdon  epidendron,  Bux.  Hall,  p.  203  (1721) ;  Fl.  Dan., 

t.  720;  Light,  f.  Fl.  Scot.,  No.  1068;  Holms.  Ot.,  t.  31; 

Bolt.,  t  119,  f.   1;  Sow.,  t.  52;  Purt.  Midi.  Fl.,  p.  701; 

BehL  Cant.,  p.  566 :  With.  Arr.,  iv.,  p.  457. 
Lycogala  globosum,  Mich.,  t.  95,  f.  2  (1729). 
Lycoperdon  sanguincum,  Buxb.,  t.  29,  f.  2  (1740). 
Lycoperdon  spJuicricum,  Gled.  Meth.,  150  (1753). 
Mucor  iii.  sfihaericus,  Gled.  Meth.,  161  (1753). 
Mucor  secundus,  Schff.,  t.  193  (1762). 
Lycogala  sessile,  Retz.,  Ac.  Holms.,  254  (1769). 
Mucor  lycogala,  Scop.  Cam.,  ii.,  1645  (1772). 
Mucor  fragifomiis,  Schff.  Bar.,  No.  283  (1774). 
Lycoperdon  variolosum,  Huds.  Fl.  Ang.,  645  (1778). 
Lycoperdon  epiphyllum,  Huds.  Fl.  Ang.,  645  (1778). 


Lycogala.  123 

Lycoperdon  pysiforvie,  Jacq.  Misc.,  t.  7  (1788). 
Galepcrdon  epidendron,  Wigg.  Fl.  Holsat,  1148  (1780). 
Lycoperdon  ckalybeum,  Batsch.  El.,  p.  155  (1781). 
Lycoperdon  verrucosum,  Batsch.  El.,  p.  155  (1781). 
Reticularia  rosca,  DC.  Bullet.  Phil,  f.  8  A,  B,  c  (1798). 
Lycogala  miniata,  Pers.  Obs.,  ii.,  26  (1790);  Grev.  S.  C.  Fl., 

t.  38 ;  Nees.,  t.  8,  f.  97 ;  Gray.  Arr.,  L,  568. 
Lycogala  punctata,  Pers,  Syn.,  p.  158  (1801). 
Lycogala  plur/ibea,  Schum.  Saell.,  1408  (1803). 
Lycogala  ferruginea,  Schum.  Saell.,  1406  (1803). 
Reticularia  miniata,  Poir.,  Ency.,  viii.,  22  (1808). 
Reticularia  punctata,  Poir.,  Ency.,  viii.,  No.  21  (1808). 
Reticularia  rosea,  Poir.,  Ency.,  viii.,  No.  4. 
Lycogala  miniata,  Johnst.  Fl.  Berw. 
Lycogala   epidendrum,   Fr.,  S.  M.,   iii.,  80 ;   Berk.  Engl.  Fl., 

v.  307;  Cooke,  Hdbk.,  No.  1095. 
Lycogala  affinis,  B.  and  Br.,  Ceylon  Fungi,  No.  735. 

Lycogala  conicum,  Pers. 

Plasmodiocarp  sessile  on  a  broad  base,  often  attenuated 
towards  the  apex,  hence  more  or  less  conical,  shining,  purple, 
or  pale  ochraceous-brown,  at  maturity  minutely  ivarted  or  scurfy  ; 
mass  of  spores  ochraceous-olive,  sometimes  with  a  tinge  of  flesh- 
colour;  tubes  of  capillitium  numerous,  originating  from  the 
inner  portion  of  the  cortex,  8 — 10  /u.  diameter,  almost  colourless, 
frequently  branched  and  anastomosing  laterally,  free  ends 
numerous,  markings  variable,  warts  or  irregular  raised  bands 
more  or  less  anastomosing  or  sometimes  almost  obsolete ;  spores 
globose,  minutely  warted,  4 — 6  //,  diameter. 

Dermodium  conicum,  Host.,  Mon.,  p.  284;  Sacc.,  Syll.,  vii., 
•pt.  I.,  n.  1483. 

Gregarious,  "5 — 1  cm.  or  more  in  diameter. 

From  a  careful  examination  of  specimens  of  the  present 
species  that  have  been  examined  and  named  by  Rostafinski,  I 
am  satisfied  that  the  genus  Dermodium  is  synonymous  with 
Lycogala.  In  both  cases  the  leading  idea  is  a  vein-like  plas- 
modiocarp  covered  with  a  common  cortex,  the  outside  portion 


124          A  Monograph  of  the  Myxogastres. 

containing  numerous  cell-like  aggregations  of  protoplasm,  while 
the  inner  portion  gives  origin  to  the  tubes  of  the  capillitium 
which  originate  from  the  cell-like  masses  of  protoplasm. 

Rostannski's  generic  diagnosis  of  Dermodium  is  altogether 
misleading,  inasmuch  as  it  implies  that  we  are  dealing  with  a 
single  sporangium,  whereas  in  Rostannski's  own  specimens  the 
plasmodiocarp  structure  is  distinct.  Furthermore  it  is  very 
doubtful  as  to  whether  the  present  species  is  anything  more 
than  Lycogala  cpidendrum.  It  is  certain  that  Lycogala  atropur- 
pureum,  B.  and  Br.,  and  Lycogala  nitidum,  B.  and  Br.,  referred 
to  the  present  species  by  Rostafinski,  both  belong  to  Lycogala 
epidendricm. 

On  rotten  wood.     Sweden  ;  Germany ;  Ceylon. 

(Rostannski's  Synonyms.) 

Lycogala  conica,  Pers.,  Syn.,  159  (1801). 
Lycogala  conicum,  Fr.,  S.  M.,  iii.,  82  (1829). 
Lycogala    atropurpureum,   B.   and    Br.,   Ceylon    Fungi,   II., 
n.  735. 

Lycogale  nitidum,  B.  and  Br.,  Ceylon  Fungi,  II.,  n.  734. 

Lycogala  flavo-fuscum,  Rost.  (fig.  123). 

Plasmodiocarp  hemispherical  or  elongated,  3 — 9  cm.  diameter, 
coi'tex  smooth  or  slightly  wrinkled  when  dry,  yellow-brown, 
bright  chestnut-brown,  or  greyish-umber ;  mass  of  spores  greyish- 
umber  or  with  a  flesh-coloured  tinge;  tubes  of  capillitium 
rather  scanty,  almost  colourless,  4 — 5  p.  thick,  slightly  rugulose 
or  ivith  indistinctly  raised  bands,  sparingly  branched ;  spores 
globose,  very  minutely  wartcd,  5  /x  diameter. 

Lycogala  flavo-fuscum,  Rost.,  Mon.,  p.  288;  Cooke,  Brit.  Myx., 
p.  76 ;  Sacc.,  Syll.,  no.  1485  ;  Zopf,  p.  167. 

On  stumps  and  trunks.  Britain  (King's  Cliffe);  Europe; 
United  States;  Ceylon. 

A  large  species,  usually  solitary,  distinguished  from  L.  cpi- 
dendrum by  the  smooth  cortex  and  the  scanty  capillitium  with 
thinner  tubes  and  rudimentary  ornamentation. 


Lycogaia.  125 

(Rostafinski's  Synonyms.) 

Diphtherium  fiavo-fuscum,  Ehr.,  SyL,  p.  27  (1818). 
Eeticidaria  flavo-fusca,  Fr.,  S.  M.,  iii.,  p.  88  (1829) ;  B.  and  Br., 

Ann.  Nat.  Hist.,  No.  591. 
Reticu'aria  testacea,  Wallr.,  Fl.  Germ.,  209  (1833). 

Lycogaia  qchraceum,  Mass.  (n.  sp.). 

Plasmodiocarp  sessile,  sub-globose,  gregarious,  springing  from 
a  firm,  broadly  effused  hypothallus,  ochraceous,  at  first  smooth, 
becoming  minutely  furfuraceous ;  mass  of  spores  very  pale 
ochraceous;  capillitium  scanty,  tubes  sparingly  branched,  with 
a  few  indistinctly  raised  band,s,  5  jj.  diameter,  collapsing ;  spores 
globose,  3'5 — 4  ^diameter,  minutely  and  sparsely  verruculose. 

On  rotten  wood.     Bahia ;  Java.     (Challenger  exped.) 
(Type  in  Herb.  Berk.,  Kew.) 

Often  densely  gregarious  and  variously  angular  from  mutual 
pressure,  at  other  times  larger  and  scattered ;  from  "5 — 2'5  cm. 
diameter. 

Lycogaia  minutum,  Sacc.  and  Paol. 

Plasmodiocarp  gregarious,  superficial,  sessile,  base  narrow, 
globoso-depressed,  4 — 5  mm.  broad,  smooth  (not  punctate),  at 
length  with  crowded,  very  minute  depressions,  yellow,  becoming 
ochraceous;  hypothallus  scanty,  white,  mucedinous;  tubes  of 
capillitium  filiform,  short,  sulsimple,  hyaline;  spores  globose, 
aspcndosc,  3  p  diameter,  yellow,  then  colourless. 

Lycogaia  minutum,  Saccardo*  and  Paoletti,  '  Mycetes  Mala- 
censes'  Atti  del  R.  Instit.  Verieto  di  scienze,  lettere,  ed  arti. 
Tome  VI.,  Ser.  VI.,  p.  5,  t,  5,  f.  1 ;  Sacc.,  Syll.,  n.  1486. 

On  fallen  decorticated  rotten  branches.     Malacca. 

Apparently  closely  allied  to  Lycogaia  ochraceum,  but  distin- 
guished by  the  scanty  mucedinous  hypothallus  and  in  the  cortex 
not  becoming  furfuraceous. 

Lycogaia  rufo-cinnamomeum,  Mass.  (n.  sp.). 

Plasmodiocarp  hemispherical,  gregarious,  '5 — 1  cm.  diameter, 
surface  smooth,  ochraceous  or  greyish,  sometimes  with  a  tinge 


126  A  Monograph  of  the  Myxogastres. 

of  red;  mass  of  spores  bright  reddish-cinnamon;  threads  of 
capillitium  colourless,  much  branched,  walls  smooth,  not  collapsing 
when  dry,  4 — 5  p.  thick ;  spores  globose,  10  \t.  diameter,  rather 
coarsely  warted. 

On  fragments  of  rotten  wood  lying  on  the  ground. 

South  Africa. 

(Type  in  Herb.  Berk.,  n.  10706.) 

Gregarious.  Distinguished  by  the  dense  capillitium,  the 
tubes  of  which  have  thick,  smooth  walls,  and  the  large  spores. 

PROTOTRICHIA,  Host,  (emended). 

Sporangia  simple  or  fasciculate,  stipitate  or  sessile,  thin, 
reflecting  metallic  tints,  dehiscing  irregularly ;  capillitium  well- 
developed,  elaters  attached  by  one  end  to  the  basal  portion 
of  the  sporangium,  becoming  attenuated  upwards  and  dividing 
into  a  variable  number  of  slender,  tapering,  free  tips,  the  slender 
branchlets  are  sometimes  more  or  less  connected  laterally,  elaters 
furnished  with  spirals,  irregular  rings,  or  entirely  smooth. 

Prototrichia,  Host.,  Mon.  App.,  p.  38;  Cooke,  Myx.  Brit., 
p.  65;  Sacc.,  Syll.,  vii.,  pt.  I.,  p.  437;  Mass.,  Revis.  Trich., 
p.  349. 

Trichia,  B.  and  Br.,  Ann.  Nat.  Hist.,  Ser.  III.,  vol.  xviii., 
p.  56,  pi.  2.,  f.  4. 

Comuvia,  Host.,  Mon.,  p.  289  (in  part) ;  Cooke,  Myx.  Brit, 
p.  76  (in  part) ;  Sacc.,  Syll.,  vii.,  pt.  1,  p.  289  (in  part). 

Alwisia,  B.  and  Br.,  Joum.  Linn.  Soc.,  xiv.,  p.  87,  t.  2,  f.  6, 
and  xv.,  t.  2,  f.  1 ;  Mass.,  Mon.  Trich.,  p.  348. 

Trichia,  Host.,  Mon.,  p.  246  (in  part) ;  Sacc.,  Syll.,  vii.,  pt.  I., 
n.  1494  (in  part). 

As  above  denned  the  main  features  of  the  genus  are  the  thin 
iridescent  sporangial  wall  and  the  elaters  attached  at  one  end 
to  the  base  of  the  sporangium,  and  becoming  divided  above  into 
a  variable  number  of  tapering,  free  tips,  the  branchlets  are 
rarely  connected  transversely,  but  never  to  such  an  extent  as 
to  suggest  a  network. 

Distrib.  Europe  ;  Tasmania ;  Ceylon :  5  species. 


PrototricMa.  127 

A.     Spores  smooth. 

PrototricMa  flagellifera,  Rost.  (figs.  130—132). 

Sporangia  scattered,  globose,  attenuated  below  to  a  narrow 
point  of  attachment,  wall  thin,  smooth,  copper-colour,  and 
reflecting  metallic  tints;  mass  of  capillitium  and  spores  flesh- 
colour;  elaters  7 — 9  p  broad  at  the  base,  tapering  towards  the 
apex,  branching  at  some  distance  towards  the  point  of  attach- 
ment into  two  or  three  arms,  each  generally  again  divided  near 
the  apex,  spirals  thin,  not  prominent,  sometimes  crowded,  at 
others  distant,  disappearing  below  the  ultimate  branchlets, 
brown,  becoming  colourless  towards  the  tips;  spores  globose, 
smooth,  10 — 13  ju.  diameter. 

Prototrichia flagellifer,  Rost.,  Mon.  Appendix,  p.  38  (in  part); 
Cookej  Myx.  Brit.,  p.  65 ;  Sacc.,  Syll.,  n.  1492  (in  part) ;  Mass., 
Rev.  Trich.,  p.  350,  pi.  vii.,  f.  23. 

Trichia  flagellifer,  B.  and  Br.,  Ann.  Nat.  Hist.,  Ser.  III.,  vol. 
xviii.,  p.  56,  pi.  2,  f.  4  (no.  1143). 

Dermatricha  flagellifer,  Cooke,  MS. 

(Type  specimen  in  Herb.  Berk.,  Kew,  n.  10,905). 

On  dead  wood.  Britain  (Badminton,  Gloucester,  Carlisle) ; 
Sweden. 

Scattered,  or  rarely  3 — 5  in  a  cluster,  but  not  crowded 
together,  '5  or  a  little  more  in  diameter.  A  very  neat  species, 
the  sporangia!  wall  is  unusually  persistent,  hence  the  plant  is 
generally  found  in  good  condition.  The  smooth  spores  and 
elaters  thickest  at  the  point  of  attachment  mark  the  species. 

Prototrichia  metallica,  Mass. 

Sporangia  scattered,  stipitate  or  sessile  on  a  broad  base, 
spherical  or  depressed  and  lenticular,  smooth,  shining,  copper- 
colour  with  metallic  tints ;  stem  very  short,  rather  thick,  darker 
in  colour  than  the  sporangium ;  mass  of  capillitium  and  spores 
pale  flesh-colour  or  yellowish ;  elaters  elongato-fusiform,  6 — 7  p. 
at  thickest  part,  300 — 400  /m  long,  terminating  at  the  apex  in  a 


128  A  Monograph  of  the  Myxogastres. 

pencil  of  simple  or  branched,  cylindrical',  smooth,  sometimes  nodu- 
lose filaments,  2  p  thick,  and  40 — 60  /*  long;  spirals  broad,  flat, 
close  ;  spores  globose,  smooth,  9 — 11  p.  diameter. 

Prototrickia  metallica,  Mass.,  Rev.  Tdch.,  p.  350,  fig.  26. 

Trichia  metallica,  B.  and  Br.,  Fl.  Tasm.,  p.  268. 

Prototrichia  flagellifera,  Host.,  Mon.  Append.,  p.  38  (in  part) ; 
Sacc.,  Syll.,  n.  1492  (in  part). 

Prototrichia  elcgantula,  Rost.,  Mon.  Append.,  p.  39,  fig.  246 ; 
Sacc.,  Syll.,  n.  1491. 

(Type  in  Herb.  Berk.,  Kew,  n.  10,905  a.) 

On  wood.     Tasmania;  Sweden. 

Sporangia  '5 — 1  mm.  diameter.  Rostafinski  founded  his 
Prototrichia  elcgantula  on  a  specimen  in  the  Berkeley  Herbarium 
at  Kew,  which  was  sent  by  Fries,  and  marked  "  (Perichaena  ?) 
nova  species,  in  Betula,  Lindblad."  This  specimen  on  examin- 
ation proves  to  be  identical  with  Trichia  metallica,  B.  The 
last-named  species  is  given  as  a  synonym  of  P.  flageUifer,  B. 
and  Br.,  by  Rostafinski,  the  outcome  of  superficial  examination. 

Prototrichia  bombarda,  Mass. 

Sporangia  broadly  fusiform  or  elliptical,  several  seated  on  the 
apex  of  an  elongated  stem,  smooth,  dark-broum,  sometimes  with 
a  purple  tinge ;  stem  same  colour,  hollow,  springing  from  a 
well-developed  hypothallus ;  mass  of  elaters  and  spores  brown ; 
elaters  cylindrical,  6 — 7  p  thick,  sometimes  furnished  with  one 
or  two  swollen  portions,  walls  thin,  collapsing  when  dry,  un- 
branckcd,  with  a  few  scattered,  very  rudimentary  spinules,  and  a 
very  indistinct  open  spiral,  free  ends  obtuse,  rarely  attenuated 
and  bifid  ;  spores  globose,  smooth,  5 — 6  p.  diameter. 

Alwisia  lombarda,  B.  and  Br.,  Journ.  Linn.  Soc.,  xiv.,  p.  87, 
t.  2,  f.  6,  and  xv.,  t.  2,  f.  1. 

Trichia  fragilis,  Rost.,  Mon.,  p.  246  (in  part) ;  Cke.,  Brit. 
Myx.,  p.  63  (in  part) ;  Sacc.,  Syll.,  n.  1494  (in  part). 

On  decayed  wood.     Gongolla  Forest ;  Ceylon. 

(Type  in  Herb.  Berk.,  Kew,  n.  10921). 

From  2 — 3  mm.  high,  scattered.     The  fasciculate  sporangia 


Prototric/tia.  129 

are  in  some  specimens  connate  except  at  the  tips,  and  then 
present  the  appearance  of  a  single  sporangium  with  several 
subacute  apical  lobes.  The  stem  is  somewhat  contracted  and 
wrinkled  longitudinally  when  dry.  The  present  plant  resembles 
to  a  certain  extent,  when  examined  with  a  pocket-lens,  fasci- 
culate forms  of  Trichia  fragilis,  and  from  such  superficial 
examination  Rostafinski  gave  it  as  a  synonym  of  the  last- 
mentioned  species.  If  it  had  been  properly  examined  this 
mistake  would  not  have  been  made. 


B.     Spores  warted. 

Prototrichia  cuprea,  Mass.  (figs.  127 — 129). 

Sporangia  scattered  or  rather  crowded,  sub-globose,  usually 
sessile  on  a  broad  base,  rarely  attenuated  below,  or  with  a  very 
short  distinct  stem,  bright  copper-colour,  shining,  sometimes 
iridescent ;  mass  of  capillitium  and  spores  reddish  flesh-colour ; 
capillitium  copious,  elaters  6 — 8  /^  thick  at  point  of  origin  from 
wall  of  sporangium,  60 — 80  p  long,  then  branching  once  or 
twice  in  a  dichotomous  manner,  branches  tapering  upwards, 
150 — 200  fj.  long,  each  ending  in  a  corymbose  tuft  of  slender, 
smooth,  colourless  filaments,  1 — 2  n  thick,  main  trunk  and 
branches  brownish,  with  rather  close,  not  prominent  spirals ; 
spores  globose,  minutely  warted,  10 — 13  p.  diameter. 

Prototrichia  cuprea,  Mass.,  Rev.  Trich.,  p.  351,  pi.  vii.,  f.  24. 
(Type  in  Herb.,  Kew.) 

On  dead  thorn.     Scarborough  ;  Carlisle. 

Sporangia  pure  white  when  immature,  "5 — rl  mm.  diameter, 
bright  copper-colour,  polished  and  often  iridescent,  especially 
when  old  and  empty.  Characterized  by  the  warted  spores  and 
the  slender  filaments  terminating  the  main  branches  of  the 
elaters,  which  are  not  always  so  densely  corymbose  as  figured 
in  Rev.  Trich.,  pi.  vii.,  f.  24.  A  form  of  the  present  species 
sent  by  Mr.  Camm  from  Smethwick  has  the  elaters  without  a 
trace  of  spiral  marking,  thus  approaching  P.  chamaeleontina. 


130  A  Monograph  of  the  Myxoyastres. 


Prototrichia  chamaeleontina,  Mass. 

Sporangia  spherical  or  spherico-depressed,  attached  by  a 
narrow  base,  wall  very  thin,  highly  iridescent,  dehiscing  irregu- 
larly; capillitiuni  well-developed,  threads  thick  at  the  point 
of  attachment,  tapering  upwards,  often  nodulose,  without  external 
markings,  breaking  up  into  several  free,  pointed  spines  that 
are  sometimes  connected  by  transverse  bands,  dingy  brown ;  spores 
pale  pink,  globose,  minutely  warted,  9 — 11  ju,  diameter. 

Cornuvia  metallica,  Host.,  Mon.  App.,  p.  35 ;  Cooke,  Myx. 
Brit.,  p.  76 ;  Sacc.,  Syll.,  n. 

Physarum  metallicum,  Berk.,  Mag.  Zool.  and  Bot.,  No.  29, 
t.  3,  f.  8;  Cooke,  Myx.  Brit,  p.  16. 

(Type  in  Herb.  Berk.,  Kew.) 

On  twigs,  bark,  dead  leaves,  &c.  Britain  (Clifton,  Notts; 
Carlisle,  Smethwick). 

Scattered  or  in  groups  of  2 — 3,  about  1  mm.  diameter. 
Sporangial  wall  very  iridescent,  reflecting  green  or  rosy  tints, 
mass  of  spores  pinkish  or  flesh-colour.  The  previous  existence 
of  a  species  of  Prototrichia  called  metallica,  accounts  for  the 
change  of  name  in  the  present  species. 

OPHIOTHECA,  Curr.  (emended). 

Sporangia  sessile  with  single  or  double  wall,  frequently  con- 
taining amorphous  particles  of  lime,  either  regular,  circular,  or 
depressed,  with  circumscissile  dehiscence,  or  aethalioid,  or  form- 
ing a  vein-like,  anastomosing  plasmodiocarp ;  capillitium  form- 
ing a  loose  network,  attached  to  the  wall  at  various  points, 
and  usually  with  free  arms,  threads  with  spines,  warts,  or  short 
bands  irregularly  scattered  ;  spores  globose. 

Ophiotheca,  Currey,  Quart.  Joura.-  Micr.  Science,  vol.  ii., 
p.  240. 

Pcrichaena,  Host.,  Mon.,  p.  292;  Cke.,  Brit.  Myx.,  p.  77; 
Sacc.,  Syll.,  vii.,  1,  p.  420  (all  in  part). 

Cornuvia,  Host.,  Mon.,  p.  289 ;  Cke.,  Brit.  Myx.,  p.  76 ;  Sacc., 
Syll.,  vii.,  1,  p.  423  (in  part). 


Ophiotheca.  131 

Closely  allied  on  the  one  hand  to  Perichaena,  and  on  the 
other  to  Arcyria.  Differs  from  the  latter  in  the  sessile,  much 
compressed  sporangia  often  becoming  aethalioid,  presence  of 
lime  in  the  wall,  and  the  capillitium  with  numerous  free  arms 
and  attached  to  the  wall  at  many  points.  From  Perichaena 
in  the  threads  of  the  capillitium  being  in  some  way  ornamented. 
Lachnobolus  differs  in  the  stipitate  sporangia. 

Distrib.  Europe ;  United  States ;  Cuba ;  Ceylon.     Species  9. 


A.     Threads  of  capillitium  spinulose. 

^Ophiotheca  circumscissa,  Curr. 

Sporangia  either  regular,  circular,  depressed,  or  dehiscing  in 
an  irregularly  circumscissile  manner,  or  becoming  aethalioid, 
sinuous,  and  often  combined  into  a  network ;  wall  smooth, 
chestnut,  or  brown;  mass  of  capillitium  and  spores  yellow; 
threads  of  capillitium  2 — 4  /*  thick,  with  scattered,  straight,  or 
bent  spines,  1 — 2  /u,  long,  combined  to  form  an  irregular  network, 
with  numerous  free  arms  often  slightly  incrassated  at  the  tips ; 
spores  globose,  smooth,  8 — 19  p  diameter. 

Ophiotheca  chrysosperma,  Curr.  Quart.  Micr.  Journ.,  v.,  ii , 
p.  240,  t.  9,  f.  1—5. 

Cornuvia  circumscissa,  Host.,  Mon.,  p.  290 ;  Cke.,  Myx.  Brit., 
p.  76;  Sacc.,  Syll.,  n.  1452;  Schroeter,  Kr.  Fl.  Schles.,  108. 

Gornuvia  dictyocarpa,  Crupa,  Cosmos,  Lemberg,  1866;  Sacc., 
Syll.,  n.  1453. 

On  bark.     Britain ;  Germany ;  France  ;  Switzerland. 

(Rostafinski's  Synonyms.) 

Lignidium  quercimim,  Fr.,  Stirp.  Femsp.,  83  (1825). 
Trichia  circumscissa,  Wallr.,  Fl.  Cr.  Germ.,  n.  2219  (1833). 
Arcyria  glomerata,  Fr.,  Sun.  Veg.  Scand.,  457  (1849). 
Ophiotheca  chrysosperma,  Microsc.  Journ.,  p.  240,  t.  9,  f.  1 — 5 

(1854), 
Trichia  Curreyi,  Crouan,  1.  c.,  16  (1867). 


132  A  Monograph  of  the  Myxogastres. 

Var.  scabra,  Schroeter,  Kr.  FL  Schles.  (Pilze),  p.  109.  Threads 
of  capillitium  with  rigid  spines,  1 — 2  /x  long. 

Silesia.     . 

Va/r.spinosa,  Schroeter,  Kr.  Fl.  Schles.  (Pilze),  p.  109.  Threads 
of  capillitium  with  scattered  acute  spines,  5 — 6  /x  long. 

Silesia. 

Ophiotheca  Wrightii,  Berk,  and  Rav.  (fig.  197). 

Sporangia  circular,  much  depressed,  dehiscing  in  a  circum- 
scissile  manner,  or  becoming  aethalioid  and  irregularly  vein- 
like;  wall  bright  or  blackish-brown,  smooth,  with  granules  of 
lime  inside ;  mass  of  capillitium  and  spores  Iriyht,  deep  yellow, 
sometimes  with  a  flesh-coloured  tinge;  capillitium  well  de- 
veloped, forming  a  loose,  irregular  network,  the  threads  are 
densely  and  very  minutely  verruculosc,  and  in  addition  are 
furnished  with  numerous  straight  or  flcmious  sharp-pointed 
spines,  2 — 4-  ju.  long ;  spores  globose,  minutely  warted,  10 — 14  u 
diameter. 

Ophiotheca  Wrightii,  Berk,  and  Curt.,  Linn.  Journ.,  vol.  x., 
p.  349. 

Cornuvia  Wrightii,  Host.,  Mon.  App.,  p.  36 ;  Sacc.,  Syll.,  vii.,' 
1,  n.  1454. 

Exsicc. — Fung.  Cub.  Wrightiani,  540. 

(Type  in  Herb.  Berk.,  Kew,  n.  10888.) 

On  wood.     Cuba ;  Ceylon. 

Very  closely  allied  to  0.  circumscissa,  more  especially  the 
Var.  spinosa,  but  distinguished  by  the  warted  spores. 

Ophiotheca  irregularis,  Mass. 

Sporangia  spherical,  much  depressed,  rather  convex  above, 
usually  gregarious,  dehiscing  in  an  irregularly  circumscissile 
manner,  wall  bright-brown,  containing  lime  inside;  mass  of 
capillitium  and  spores  bright  yellow ;  capillitium  well-developed, 
forming  a  loose  net,  threads  3 — 4  /A  diameter,  equally  covered 
with  distinct  slender  spines  '5 — 1  /u  long  ;  spores  globose,  minutely 
verruculose,  9 — 11  jx  diameter. 


Ophiotheca.  133 

Perichaena  irregularis,  Berk,  and  Curt.,  Grev.,  vol.  ii.,  p.  68 ; 
Sacc.,  Syll.,  n.  1439. 

(Type  in  Herb.  Berk.,  Kew.) 

On  bark.     Lower  Carolina. 

Sporangia  up  to  1  mm.  diameter,  often  much  crowded  and 
consequently  irregular  in  outline.  Resembling  Perichaena 
depressa  in  general  appearance,  but  distinguished  by  the  distinct 
spines  uniformly  and  rather  thickly  scattered  over  the  capillitium 
threads. 

Ophiotheca  nitens,  Mass. 

Sporangia  single  or  few  gathered  in  clusters,  globose-pyriform, 
sessile,  or  with  a  short  stem,  splitting  irregularly,  greyish-brown 
with  a  fine  violet  tone  of  metallic  lustre,  '5  mm,  broad.  Wall 
single,  almost  without  particles.  Tubes  of  the  capillitium  long, 
slightly  branched,  by  irregular  enlargements  fastened  to  the 
wall,  unequally  and  very  delicately  spinulose,  equally  broad 
throughout,  1-^-1*5  /x  broad.  Spores  delicately  spinulose,  yellowish, 
hyaline,  10 — 12  p.  diameter. 

Perichaena  nitens,  Raunkier,  Myx.  Dan.,  p.  107,  t.  2,  f.  11. 

On  bark  of  oak  and  fir,  and  on  decayed  leaves  of  pine. 
Denmark  (Sealand,  Jutland). 

B.  Threads  of  elaters  with  raised  bands  which  may  be  short 
and  wart-like,  or  combined  to  form  rings  or  a  network. 

Ophiotheca  reticulata,  Mass.  (figs.  199,  200). 

Plasmodiocarp  venulose,  sinuous  or  anastomosing  to  form  an 
irregular  network,  clingy  ochraceous- umber,  wall  containing 
numerous  masses  of  lime  inside ;  mass  of  capillitium  and  spores 
pale  ochraceous-umber ;  capillitium  scanty,  threads  forming  a 
very  loose  network,  3 — 5  p.  thick,  densely  covered  with  short, 
straight,  or  curved  raised  bands  and  rounded  warts;  spores 
globose,  with  minute,  scattered  warts,  13 — 14  p.  diameter. 

Licea  reticulata,  B.  and  Br. 

Perichaena  reticulata,  Rost.,  Mon.  App.,  p.  35 ;  Sacc.,  Syll., 
vii.,  1,  n.  1442. 


134  A  Monograph  of  the  Myxogastres. 

(Type  in  Herk.  Berk.,  Kew,  n.  10852.) 
On  bark.     Ceylon. 

Resembling  in  many  respects  Ophiotlieca  vcrmicularis,  but 
distinguished  by  the  very  minute,  scattered  warts  on  the  spores. 

Ophiotlieca  cano-flavesceus,  Mass. 

Sporangia  gregarious,  standing  on  a  thin,  yellow-grey  hypo- 
thallus,  globose  to  hemispherical,  or  lengthened  to  reniform, 
sessile,  *5  mm.  broad,  bright  yellow-grey,  splitting  more  or  less 
regularly  with  a  lid.  The  wall  contains  numerous  round  or 
angular  particles.  The  upper  part  of  the  wall,  on  its  inner 
side,  provided  with  delicate  thickenings  combined  into  a  regular 
network  ;  meshes  of  the  network  5 — 6-gonal  and  1 2  jx  diameter. 
Capillitium  scarcely  evident,  only  consisting  of  a  few,  slightly- 
branched  or  quite  unbranched  threads  of  variable  width,  un- 
equally warted,  colourless,  yellowish ;  without  regard  to  the 
thickenings  the  tubes  are  1'5 — 2  jx  broad. 

Spores  golden-yellow,  delicately  warted,  12*5 — 14  /x  diameter. 

Perichaena  cano-flavcscens,  Raunkier,  Myx.  Dan.,  p.  107,  t.  2, 
fig.  10. 

On  bark  of  beech.     Denmark  (Lolland). 

Ophiotheca  vennicularis,  Mass.  (figs.  198,  198  a}. 

Sporangia  circular,  irregularly  lobed,  or  venulose  and  anasto- 
mosing to  form  an  irregular  network ;  when  the  sporangia  are 
circular  or  simply  lobed  there  is  usually  a  well-defined,  up- 
raised marginal  portion,  wall  smooth  with  masses  of  lime  inside, 
varying  from  flesh-colour,  through  brown  to  umber;  mass  of 
capillitium  and  spores  flesh-colour  or  bright-yellow ;  capillitium 
well-developed,  attached  at  numerous  points  to  wall  of  spor- 
angium, combined  to  form  a  loose,  irregular  net,  threads  3 — 4  /x 
diameter,  equally  covered  vjith  mimerous  short,  straight  or  curved, 
sometimes  branched,  raised  bands ;  sometimes  a  few  rounded  warts 
are  intermixed,  these  latter  now  and  again  run  out  with 
prominent  spines ;  spores  globose,  densely  and  thickly  covered 
with  small,  depressed  warts,  10 — 13  /x  diameter. 


Ophiotheca.  135 

Physarum  vermieularc,  Sz.,  Syn.  Fung.  Amer.,  n.  2296. 
(Specimen  from  Schweinitz  in  Herb.  Berk.,  Kew.) 

Perichaena  vermicularis,  Rost.,  Mon.  App ,  p.  34;  Sacc.,  Syll., 
vii.,  1,  n.  1437. 

Ophiotheca  umbrina,  B.  and  C.,  Grev.,  vol.  ii.,  p.  68  (1873). 
(Type  in  Herb.  Berk.,  Kew.)  (Not  Perichaena  variabilis,  Rost., 
Mon.,  p.  295 ;  Sacc.,  Syll.,  n.  1440.) 

Perichaena  artocreas,  B.  and  Rav.,  Grev.,  v.  ii.,  p.  68  (1873). 
(Type  in  Herb.  Berk.,  Kew). 

Perichaena  corticalis,  Rost.,  Mon.,  p.  293  (in  part) ;  Sacc.,  Syll., 
n.  1435  (in  part) ;  Cke.,  Myx.  Brit.,  p.  73  (in  part). 

Perichaena  Friesiana,  Rost.,  Mon.,  296 ;  Sacc.,  Syll.,  n.  1441. 

On  rotten  wqpd  and  bark.     United  States. 

In  Schweinitz's  specimen  there  is  a  clear  transition  shown 
from  normal  perithecia  to  the  venulose,  reticulate  plasmodiocarp. 
In  the  non-venulose  form  the  margin  is  uniformly  raised  all 
round.  The  threads  covered  with  short  raised  bands,  looking 
like  warts  under  a  low  power,  and  the  spores  densely  covered 
with  depressed  warts  are  very  characteristic. 

Ophiotheca  anomala,  Mass. 

Sporangia  scattered  or  gregarious,  sessile,  sub-sphaeroid,  dingy- 
ochraceous,  rather  shining,  about  1*5  mm.  diameter;  threads  of 
the  capillitium  4 — 6  /m  thick,  cylindrical,  ends  numerous,  truncate, 
often  terminated  ~by  clavately  swollen  tips,  with  crowded  raised 
bands  arranged  as  circles;  spores  globose,  smooth,  dingy-ochra- 
ceous,  under  the  microscope  very  pale  tinge  of  yellow,  6 — 7  ^ 
diameter. 

Corwwvia  anomala,  Karst.,  Myc.  Fenn.,  4,  p.  131 ;  Sacc.,  Syll., 
vii.,  1,  1455. 

Trichia  anomala,  Karst.,  Not.  Sallsk.  pro  Faun,  et  Flor.  Fenn., 
ix.  (1868),  p.  354. 

Ophiotheca  serpula,  Mass. 

Plasmodium  venulose,  yellow ;  mass  of  spores  and  capillitium 
golden-yellow ;  capillitium  threads  cylindrical,  3'3  //,  thick,  with 


136  A  Monograph  of  the  Myxoyastres. 

raised  bands  in  the  form  of  rings,  '4 — '7  M  high,  combined  into 
a  net  with  free,  more  or  less  swollen  tips;  spores  globose,  10  fx 
thick,  with  raised  bands  forming  a  polygonal  network. 

Arcyria   serpula,   Wigand,  Pringsh.   Jahrb.,  vol.   iii.,  p.    44, 

t;  3,  f.  is. 

Cornuma  serpula,  Host,  Mon.,  p.  289;  Sacc.,  Syll.,  n.  1451. 

On  wood.     Germany. 

Wigand  describes  the  spores  as  areolate  on  the  surface,  but 
judging  from  his  figure  of  a  spore,  mag.  720  diameters,  it  appears 
that  the  areolation  is  due  to  raised  bands  combined  to  form  a 
polygonal  network. 

Ophiotheca  pallicla,  B.  and  Curt. 

Sporangia  flcxuous,  pale  ;  threads  of  capillitium  yellow,  nodu- 
lose, minutely  echinulate ;  spores  globose,  '0004  inch  in  diameter 
(  =  about  11  \ji). 

Ophiotheca  pallida,  Berk,  and  Curt.,  Journ.  Linn.  Soc.,  vol.  x., 
p.  350  (1809). 

On  dead  stems  of  herbaceous  plants.     Upper  Carolina. 

The  flocci  are  very  irregular  in  outline,  and  have  far  shorter 
processes  than  the  other  two  species.  [0.  chrysospervia  and  C. 
Wrightii]  (M.  J.  B.) 

There  is  no  specimen  in  the  Berkeley  Herbarium. 

LACHNOBOLUS,  Fries. 

Sporangia  stipttate,  sessile,  or  aethalioid,  dehiscing  irregularly 
or  by.  the  disappearance  of  the  upper  evanescent  portion  of  the 
wall ;  capillitium  combined  into  a  net,  which  is  attached 
at  numerous  points  to  the  wall  of  the  sporangium ;  spores 
globose. 

Lachnobolus,  Fries,  Flor.  Scand.,  p.  356;  Sacc.,  Syll.,  vii., 
p.  433;  Cooke,  Brit.  Myx.,  p.  74;  Zopf,  p.  170. 

Very  closely,  allied  to  Arcyria ;  in  fact  the  only  important 
point  of  difference  consists  in  the  present  genus  having  the 
capillitium  attached  by  asrms  at  numerous  points  to  the  wall 
of  the  capillitium,  hence  it  is  not  protruded  elastically  when 


Lachnololus.  137 

mature  as  an  aid  in  spore  dispersion,  a  function  performed  by 
the  elastic  capillitium  in  some  species  of  Arcyria,  but  not  all,, 
as  in  several  species  belonging  to  the  last-named  genus,  the 
capillitium  is  in  many  places  attached  to  the  wall,  as  in  A. 
chrysospora,  A.  pallidula,  &c.  In  Arcyria  the  markings  on  the 
capillitium  threads  are  generally  more  developed  than  in 
Lachnobolus. 
Distrib.  Europe ;  United  States.  Species  4. 

Lachnobolus  globosus,  Host.  (fig.  204). 

Sporangia  globose,  stipitate,  lower  half  of  sporangial  wall 
stout,  persistcnt^upper  half  very  thin,  evanescent,  yellow,  becoming 
whitish;  stern  about  equal  in  length  to  sporangium,  straight, 
coloured  like  the  sporangium,  filled  with  large  irregular  angular 
cells;  mass  of  capillitium  and  spores  colour  of  ground  ginger; 
capillitium  dense,  combined  into  an  irregular  network,  attached 
at  many  points  to  persistent  portion  of  sporangium,  threads 
varying  from  3 — 6  /x  broad,  closely  covered  with  minute  warts; 
capillitium  not  elastic ;  spores  at  first  sub-angular  from  mutual 
pressure,  then  becoming  globose,  but  the  thick  wall  remains 
slightly  thickened  at  the  angles,  hence  looking  as  if  furnished 
with  a  few  rudimentary  warts,  6 — 7  /x  diameter. 

Lachnobolus  globosus,  Host.,  Mon.,  p.  283 ;  Sacc.,  Syll.,  vii., 
pt.  I,  n.  1479. 

On  dry  involucres  of  sweet  chestnut. 

United  States. 

(Specimen  from  Schweinitz  in  Herb.  Berk.,  Kew.) 

Gregarious,  about  T5  mm.  high. 

(Rostafinski's  Synonyms.) 

Arcyria   globosa,   Sz.,   Consp.   Fung.   Carol.,  n.    400 ;    Amcr. 

Fung.,  n.  2340  (1822). 

Craterium  globosum,  Fr.,  S.  M.,  iii.,  154  (1829). 
Nassula  globosa,  Fr.,  Summ.  Veg.  Sc.,  456  (1849). 

Var,  minor,  Ellis,  N.  Amer.  Fung.  Exs.,  n.  1397. 


138          A  Monograph  of  the  Myxogastres. 

Differs   from   the   typical   form  in   the  smaller  size  of  the 
sporangium  and  longer  stem. 
United  States. 


Lachnobolus  Rostafinskii,  Kuril). 

Sporangia  stipitate,  ovate-conoid,  apex  rounded,  yellowish- 
grey,  lower  portion  of  sporangium  with  a  distinct  membrane, 
hemispherico-patelliform,  the  upper  portion  destitute  of  a  mem- 
brane; capillitium  well-developed,  forming  a  net  adnate  to 
the  peridium  by  numerous  branches,  the  upper  portion  with 
numerous  free  branches ;  threads  with  thin,  plate-like  processes 
forming  a  reticulation,  varying  from  4*2 — 8*2  p.  diameter ;  spores 
yellow,  membrane  jinn,  smooth,  7'5 — 8*3  /a  diameter. 

Lachnobolus  Rostafinslcii,  Racib.,  Myx.  Cracov.,  p.  12,  fig.  6; 
Sacc.,  Syll,  n.  1482. 

Very  closely  allied  to  Lachnobolus  glolosus. 

Poland. 

Lachnobolus  arcyrella,  Rost. 

Sporangia  piriform,  fulvous  or  almost  straw-coloured,  stem  as 
long  as  sporangium,  or  slightly  shorter,  sub-gilvous ;  capillitium 
not  elastically  extruded,  forming  a  lax  irregular  network,  threads 
2'5 — 8'3  m  diameter,  attached  at  many  points  to  the  sporangial 
wall,  sometimes  descending  into  the  hollow  of  the  stem,  orna- 
mented with  numerous  obtuse,  small  warts  ;  spores  smooth,  7 — 8  ft 
diameter. 

Lachnobolus  arcyrella,  Rost.,  Mon.,  p.  431 ;  Sacc.,  Syll.,  vii.,  1, 
n.  1480. 

Jutland. 

Lachnobolus  incarnatus,  Schroet. 

Sporangia  when  free  globose  or  elongated,  sessile,  usually 
clustered  and  forming  a  plasmodiocarp,  wall  thin,  brittle,  pinkish, 
becoming  brown,  smooth,  shining,  dehiscing  irregularly ;  mass  of 
spores  jtesh-col&ur ;  threads  of  capillitium  combined  to  form  a 
dense  net;  4 — 5  p  thick,  ornamented  with  warts  and  short, 


Heterotrichia.  139 

irregular  bands,  incrassated  at  the  nodes  ;  spores  globose,  smooth, 
6 — 8  /u.  diameter. 

Lachnobolus  incarnatus,  Schroeter,  Kr.  Fl.  Schles.,  110;  Sacc., 
Syll,  vii.,  1,  n.  1478. 

Lachnobolus  circinans,  Host.,  Mon.,  p.  281. 

Lachnobolus  congesta,  B.  and  Br.,  Ann.  Nat.  Hist.,  n.  1604, 
t.  9,  f.  2 ;  Cke.,  Myx.  Brit.,  p.  74 ;  Sacc.,  Syll.,  n.  1481. 

On  rotten  wood,  especially  pine.  Britain  (King's  Cliffe) ; 
Germany ;  Switzerland  ;  Lapland. 

(Rostafinski's  Synonyms.) 

4 

Arcyria  circinans,  Fr.,  Stirp.  Femsj.,  p.  83;  Fr.,  S.  M.,  iii., 

p.  177  (1825). 

Lachnobolus  circinans,  Fr.,  Fl.  Scan.,  356  (1835). 
Lachnobolus  Sauteri,  Host.,  in  Fckl.  Symb.,  2,  p.  76  (1873). 


Licea  incarnata,  A.  and  S.,  Consp.,  109,  t.  10,  f.  6  (1805). 
Lycogala  incarnatum,  Swrtz,  Vet.  Ac.  Handl.,  112  (1815). 
Perichaena  incarnata,  Fr.,  S.  M.,  iii.,  p.  193  (1829). 


Lycopcrdon  pinetum,  Batsch.,  Elench..  p.  155,  n.  29  (1783). 
Physarum  congestum,  Somf.,  Fl.  Lap.,  p.  241  (1825). 
Perichaena  congesta,  Fr.,  S.  M.,  iii.,  p.  192  (1829). 
Licea  congesta,  Wllr.,  Fl.  Or.  Germ.,  n.  2108  (1833). 

HETEROTRICHIA,  Mass.  (Nov.  Gen.). 

Sporangia  densely  crowded  or  scattered,  stipitate  ;  wall  single, 
thin,  upper  portion  disappearing  at  maturity,  leaving  the  basal 
portion  as  a  calyculus ;  stem  rilled  with  large,  thick-walled  cells 
that  are  sub-angular  from  mutual  pressure;  these  become  smaller 
upwards,  and  pass  gradually  into  normal  spores;  capillitium 
free  from  wall  of  sporangium,  its  lower  branches  passing  between 
the  cells  filling  the  stem,  central  portion  composed  of  very  thin 
tubes  anastomosing  to  form  a  loose,  irregular  network ;  towards 


140  A  Monograph  of  the   Myjcogastres. 

/ 

the  periphery  the  branches  become  many  times  thicker,  and 
form  a  small-meshed  regular  network,  furnished  with  numerous 
stout,  acute,  free  tips ;  the  free  tips  are  simple,  or  once  or  twice 
furcate ;  the  entire  capillitium  is  protruded  elastically  during 
dehiscence;  colume] la  absent;  spores  globose. 

Distinguished  from  Arcyria,  its  nearest  ally,  by  the  very 
numerous  free,  pointed,  simple  or  branched  spines  springing 
from  the  tubes  of  the  stout  peripheral  portion  of  the  capillitium, 
the  meshes  of  which  are  much  more  uniform  in  size  and  shape 
than  in  Arcyria.  The  present  genus  agrees  with  Ophiothcca 
in  the  presence  of  numerous  free  arms  on  the  capillitium,  but 
in  the  last-named  genus  the  free  ends  are  not  attenuated  at 
the  point,  but  usually  inflated,  and  furthermore  the  tubes  of 
the  capillitium  are  of  equal  thickness  throughout,  and  not  of 
two  distinct  types  as  in  Heterotrichia. 

Heterotrichia  Gabriellae,  Mass.  (n.  sp.)  (figs.  205 — 207). 

Sporangia  densely  crowded,  becoming  scattered  towards  the 
margin  of  the  cluster,  cylindric-ovate,  wall  thin,  smooth,  even, 
at  first  red,  becoming  yellowish-brown  at  maturity,  upper  por- 
tion disappearing,  leaving  a  small  calyculus ;  stem  much  shorter 
than  sporangium,  thin,  filled  with  large  cells;  mass  of  capil- 
litium and  spores  yellowish-brown ;  threads  of  central  portion 
of  capillitium  about  1'5  /x  thick,  with  slightly  raised  rings  or 
short  bands  partly  encircling  the  tube,  almost  colourless,  threads 
of  peripheral  portion  bright-yellow,  5 — 6  /u  thick,  forming  an 
even  network,  free  arms  of  equal  thickness  to  tubes  of  network, 
40 — GO  fj.  long ;  every  part  densely  and  uniformly  covered  with 
warts  or  short  bands,  a  few  scattered  elliptical  swellings  are 
present  on  the  tubes  and  spines ;  spores  globose,  smooth,  7 — 8  /ix 
diameter. 

On  wood.     South  Carolina. 

(Type  in  Herb.,'  Kew.) 

Sent  to  Dr.  Cooke  by  the  late  H.  W.  Ravenal,  accompanied 
by  the  following  note: — "Arcyria  Gabriellae,  n.  sp.  Primary 
state  red,  becoming  fuscous,  closely  congregated,  elongated, 


Arcyria.  141 

stipitate,   peridia   circumscised,   upper    part    fugacious,   spores 
reddish  fuscous.     April  1850.     S.  C.,  H.  W.  R." 

The  species  was  considered  by  Cooke  to  be  Arcyria  bicolor, 
Berk. 

•ARCYRIA,  Hill  (emended). 

Sporangia  regular,  plasmodiocarp,  or  aethalioid,  wall  single, 
dehiscing  irregularly  or  in  a  circumscissile  manner,  basal  portion 
persistent,  columella  absent ;  stem  usually  filled  with  large  cells 
which  become  smaller  upwards  and  gradually  pass  into  normal 
spores ;  capillitium  dense,  usually  becoming  elastically  elongated 
and  protruding  during  dehiscence,  free,  or  the  basal  threads 
attached  to  the  inside  of  the  stem,  or  attached  at  several  points 
to  the  lower,  persistent  portion  of  the  sporangial  wall,  threads 
combined  to  form  a  dense  network  with  or  without  free  ends, 
ornamentation  in  the  form  of  continuous  ridges  arranged  in  a 
spiral,  or  prominent,  plate-like  half-rings  or  spines  arranged  in 
a  very  open  spiral,  or  wart-like  spines  scattered  equally  over  the 
entire  surface  of  the  threads. 

Arcyria.  Host.,  Mon.,  p.  270 ;  Cke.,  Myx.  Brit.,  p.  69 ;  Sacc., 
Syll.,  vii.,  p.  425. 

Hemiarcyria,  Host.,  Mon.,  p.  261 ;  Cke.,  Myx.  Brit.,  p.  67 ; 
Mass.,  Mon.  Trich.,  p.  27;  Sacc.,  Syll.,  vii.,  1,  p.  446. 

The  genus  Hemiarcyria  was  founded  by  Rostafinski  on  those 
species  of  Arcyria  having  continuous  ridges  arranged  in  a  spiral 
manner  on  the  threads,  as  in  the  genus  Trichia,  and  remodelled 
Arcyria  to  include  all  those  species  having  the  threads  orna- 
mented in  any  other  fashion  than  by  spirally  arranged  ridges. 
It  is  an  open  question  as  to  whether  ornamentation  of  the 
capillitium  threads  is  of  generic  value  even  if  constant,  as 
supposed  by  Rostafinski,  but  such  is  certainly  not  the  case; 
the  two  extreme  characteristics  overlap  and  are  combined  in 
several  species.  In  some  species  of  Hemiarcyria  the  spiral  ridges 
are  accompanied  by  numerous  spines,  as  in  H.  rubiformis  and 
H.  serpula,  whereas  in  H,  melanopeziza,  a  Brazilian  species,  the 
spines  are  abundant,  and  the  spiral  ridges  present,  but  shadowy 
in  some  individuals  and  entirely  absent  in  others,  consequently 


142  A  Monograph  of  the  Myxogastres. 

in  the  same  species,  and  sometimes  in  different  portions  of 
the  same  individual  we  meet  with  the  features  of  the  two 
supposed  genera.  Finally  in  Arcyria,  in  Rostafinski's  sense, 
the  markings,  whether  in  the  form  of  prominent,  ridge-like 
half-rings  or  spines,  are  arranged  in  a  spiral  manner,  and  may 
be  looked  upon  as  the  remaining  portions  of  continuous  spiral 
ridges,  the  greater  portions  of  which  are  obsolete.  For  the 
above  reasons  the  two  genera  proposed  by  Rostafinski  have 
been  merged  into  one  under  the  older  name  of  Arcyria. 

Distrib.  Europe;  S.  Africa;  India;  E.  Indies;  Ceylon; 
Australia ;  N.  Zealand ;  Tasmania ;  United  States ;  S.  America. 
Species  38. 

A.     Eu-Arcyria.     Threads  of  capillitium  without  continuous 
spirally  arranged  ridges. 

*  Spores  smooth. 

Arcyria  punicea,  Rost  (figs.  242 — 244). 

Sporangia  globose,  ovate  or  elliptical,  stipitate,  wall  vermilion, 
sometimes  with  a  brownish  or  purple  tinge,  rarely  yellowish- 
brown  ;  stern  slender,  about  equal  in  length  to  sporangium  or 
longer,  same  colour,  filled  with  large  cells,  expanding  at  the 
base  into  a  hypothallus,  capillitium  and  mass  of  spores  dull- 
vermilion,  crimson-lake,  brownish,  or  sometimes  yellow-brown ; 
capillitium  dense,  protruding  elastically,  attached  at  many  points 
to  the  firm,  plicate,  persistent  basal  portion  of  the  sporangial  wall, 
threads  combined  to  form  a  very  irregular  network  with  or 
without  free  ends,  furnished  with  prominent  half-rings  arranged 
in  a  very  open  spiral,  remainder  smooth ;  spores  globose,  smooth, 
pink,  or  pale-brown,  6 — 8  p.  diameter. 

Arcyria  punicea,  Rost,  Mon.,  p.  268,  figs.  190,  192,  197; 
Cke.,  Myx.  Brit,  p.  69,  figs.  190,  192,  197 ;  Sacc.,  Syll.,  vii.,  1, 
n.  1457;  Zopf,  p.  165. 

Arcyria  vcrnicosa,  Rost.,  Mon.  Supp.,  p.  69. 

Exsicc. — Jack,  Leiner  u.  Sitz.,  n.  613;  Cke.,  Fung.  Brit,  613; 
ed.  II.,  520;  Syd.,  Myc.  March.,  915;  Rab.,  Fung.  Eur.,  1914; 


Arcyria.  143 

Fckl.,  F.  Rhen.,  1441 ;  Karsten,  Fung.  Fenn.,  378 ;  Ellis,  N. 
Amer.  Fung.,  1114;  Klotzsch,  Herb.  Myc.,  671;  Eav.,  Fung. 
Car.,  80 ;  Wentendorp,  Herb.  Crypt.  Belg.,  81 ;  Desm.,  Cr.  Fr., 
Ser.  L,  1510. 

On  rotten  wood.  •  Britain  (Poole,  Woolwich,  Kew,  Chester, 
Scarboro',  Carlisle,  Aboyne,  N.  B.) ;  Europe ;  S.  Africa ;  Ceylon ; 
S.  Australia ;  New  Zealand  ;  United  States ;  Canada ;  Brazil. 

Gregarious,  often  springing  from  a  common  hypothallus, 
1-5 — 3  mm.  high.  Distinguished  by  the  capillitium  being 
attached  to  the  cup-like  permanent  portion  of  the  sporangial 
wall,  and  the  prominent,  flattened  half-rings  arranged  in  a  loose 
spiral  on  the  threads  of  the  capillitium,  which  are  otherwise 
smooth.  The  threads  of  the  capillitium  are  often  compressed 
or  triangular,  but  not  unfrequently  terete. 

(Rostafinski's  Synonyms.) 

Clathroides  purpureum,  Mich.,  t.  94,  f.  1,  1.  c.  (1729) ;  Hall., 

pi.  1,  f.  6  (1742). 

Clathrus  pediculatus,  Guett.,  Obs.  1,  16  (1747). 
Arcyria  pedicula,  Hill,  p.  47  (1751). 
Clathrus  denudatus,  Linn.,  Sp.  PL,  1179  (1753). 
Trichia,  Hall,  No.  2164,  t.  48,  f.  6  (1768). 
Mucor  dathroides,  Scop.  Carr.,  ii.,  492  (1772). 
Mucor  pyriformis,  Leers.  Fl.  Herb.,  1135  (1775). 
Clathrus  pedunculatus,  Batsch.  FL,  p.  141  (1783). 
Lycoperdon  rufum,  Dicks  Cry.,  fasc.  i.,  p.  25  (1785). 
Stemonitis  denudata,  Rehl.  FL  Cant.  (1786). 
Embolus  crocatus,  Batsch.,  t.  30,  f.  176  (1786). 
Stemonitis  crocata,  Willd.  Fl.  Ber.,  1189  (1787). 

Stemonitis  coccinea,  Roth.  Fl.  Germ.,  i.,  548  (1788). 

Trichia  denudata,  Vill.  Fl.  Dauph.,  1060  (1789)  ;  Purt.  Mid. 
FL,  t.  24,  f.  2 ;  Sow.,  t.  49. 

Trichia  graniformis,  Hoffm.  V.  Cr.,  i.,  p.  3  (1490). 

Trichia  cinnabaris,  Bull.,  t.  502,  fig.  1,  b.  c.  (1791). 

Stemonitis  crocea,  Gmel.  Sys.,  1467  (1791). 

Trichia  rufa,  With.  Arr.,  iii.,  p.  478  (1795). 


144  A  Monograph  of  the  My-xoyastres. 

Arcyria  punicea,  Pers.  Disp.,  p.  10  (1797);  Eng.  Fl.,  v.,  318; 

Cooke,  Hdbk.,  No.  1170  ;  Fung.  Brit.,  ii.,  520. 
Trichia  purpurea.,  Schum.  Saell.,  1472  (1803). 
Arcyria  rufa,  Schum.  Saell.,  1486  (1803). 
Arcyria  melanoccjtiiala,  Schum.  Saell.,  1484  (1803). 
Arcyria  conjugata,  Schum.  Saell.,  1485  (1803), 
Arcyria  cincta,  Schum.  Saell.,  1480  (1803). 
Arcyria  cylindrica,  Schum.  Saell.,  1486  (1803). 
Trichia  cinnabaris,  DC.  Fl.  Fr.,  No.  688  (1805). 
Arcyria  fusca,  Fr.  Gast.,  p.  17  (1818). 
Arcyria  vemicosa,  Rost.,  MOD.  Supp.,  p.  36. 

Arcyria  punicea.     Var.  cribroides,  Raunk. 

The  inner  meshes  equal  and  of  ordinary  width ;  on  the 
surface  of  the  capillitiura,  on  the  contrary,  groups  of  very  small 
and  single  layers  succeed  each  other  alternately. 

Raunk.,  Myx.  Dan.,  p.  108,  t.  3,  f.  12. 

Jutland. 

Arcyria  ferrnginea,  Rost.  (figs.  250 — 253). 

Sporangia  globose  or  ovate,  sometimes  deformed,  stipitate, 
dull  vermilion  or  rusty-red,  sometimes  pale  reddish-pink;  stem 
thin,  length  variable,  usually  short,  filled  with  large  cells ;  mass 
of  capillitium  and  spores  brick-red,  brownish,  sometimes  ochra- 
ceous ;  capillitium  becoming  elastically  protruded,  threads  com- 
bined to  form  a  dense,  irregular  network,  more  or  less  acutely 
triangular,  one  side  with  parallel  projecting  ridges,  the  two  others 
with  a  fine,  irregular  network ;  spores  globose,  smooth,  9 — 11  /ix 
diameter. 

Arcyria  ferrnginea,  Rost.,  Mon.,  p.  280,  fig.  194;  Cke.,  Myx. 
Brit.,  p.  73,  fig.  194 ;  Sacc.,  Syll.,  vii.,  1,  n.  1470. 

Arcyria  intricata,  Rost.,  Mon.  Suppl.,  p.  72. 

JExsicc. — Fuckel,  Fung.  Rhen.,  n.  1444. 

On  rotten  wood.  Britain  (Hampstead,  Carlisle,  Scarboro') ; 
Europe ;  United  States ;  Ceylon. 

Distinguished   amongst  the  red  species  of  Arcyria  by  the 


Arcyria.  145 

portion  of  the  capillitium  threads  not  occupied   by  the   pro- 
minent ridges  being  ornamented  with  a  delicate  network  of 

O  O 

slightly  raised  lines. 

(Rostafinski's  Synonyms.) 

Arcyria  ferruginea,  Sauter.,  p.  316  (1811). 
Arcyria  lateritia,  DeBy.  Mycet.,  24  (1859). 
Arcyria  ferruginea,  Fckl.  Sym.,  p.  337  (1869);  Berk,  and  Br., 
Ann.  Nat.  Hist.,  No.  1603 ;  Grevillea,  v.,  p.  13. 

.   Arcyria  incarnata,  Rost. 

Sporangia  crowded,  ovate  or  sub-globose,  stem  very  short  or 
absent,  wall  reddish,  often  with  a  brown  or  yellow  tinge ;  mass 
of  spores  and  capillitium  flesh-colour,  rosy,  or  reddish-brown, 
sometimes  ochraceous ;  capillitium  attached  to  the  apex  of  stem 
wall,  and  with  very  few  attachments  to  basal  portion  of  thin, 
sporangial  wall,  threads  combined  to  form  a  dense,  elastically 
protruding  network,  with  many  free,  flattened,  or  swollen  spinose 
tips,  markings  in  the  form  of  half-rings  or  spines,  or  a  mixture 
of  the  two  arranged  in  a  loose  spiral,  and  mixed  with  small, 
spinose  warts,  there  are  frequent  swellings  in  the  length  of  the 
threads;  spores  globose,  smooth,  pinkish  or  tinged  with  ochre, 
6 — 8  n  diameter. 

Arcyria  incarnata,  Rost.,  Mon.,  p.  275,  figs.  187,  199 ;  Cooke, 
Myx.  Brit.,  p.  71,  figs.  187,  199. 

Arcyria  adnata,  Rost.,  Mon.  Supp.,  p.  72. 

Eocsicc.— Fuckel,  Fung.  Rhen.,  1442. 

On  rotten  wood  and  bark.  Britain  (Lyndhurst,  Kew,  King's 
Cliffe,  Norths,  Carlisle,  Aboyne,  N.  B.) ;  Europe ;  United  States  ; 
India;  Ceylon. 

Usually  crowded,  sub-sessile,  To — 2  mm.  high.  The  wall  of 
the  sporangium  is  thinner,  and  the  permanent  base  little  or 
not  at  all  longitudinally  ribbed  ;  the  capillitium  threads  are 
generally  round,  but  sometimes  compressed.  Closely  allied  to 
A.  punicea,  of  which  the  present  is  perhaps  only  a  variety; 
intermediate  stages  between  the  two  are  not  wanting. 


146  A  Monograph  of  the  Myxogastres. 


(Rostafinski's  Synonyms.) 

Clathroides  purpureum,  Mich.,  t.  94,  f.  2  (1729). 

Arcyria  sessilis,  Hill,  p.  47  (1751). 

Clathrus  ramosus,  a.,  Retz.  Vet.  Hand.,  253  (1769). 

Lycoperdon  hypoxylon,  Pallas.,  ii.,  503  (1771). 

Clathrus  adnatus,  Batsch.,  p.  141  (1783). 

Stemonitis  trichia.,  Roth.  Fl.  Germ.,  1.,  549  (1788), 

Stemonitis  lilacina,  Schr.,  Fl.  Bav.,  ii.,  1784  (1789). 

Stemonitis  incamata,  Pers.,  in  Gmel.,  1467  (1791). 

Trichia  cinnabaris,  Bull,  t.  502,  f.  1,  D  (1791). 

Arcyria  incamata,  Pers.,  Obs.,  t.  5,  f.  4,  5  (1796) ;  Eng.  Fl., 

v.,  318;  Cke.,  Hdbk.,  1171. 
Stemonitis  carnea,  Trent.,  222  (1797). 
Stemonitis  globosa.,  Trent.,  p.  222  (1797). 
Trichia  flcmiosa,  Schum.  Saell.,  1465  (1803). 
Arcyria  lilacina,  Schum.  Saell.,  1476  (1803). 
Arcyria  carnea,  Schum.  Saell.,  1477  (1803). 
Arcyria  dentata,  Schum.  Saell.,  1478  (1803). 
Arcyria  rosea,  Spr. 

Arcyria  incarnata,  (3  flexuosa,  Fr.,  S.  M.,  iii.,  179  (1829). 
Arcyria  nutans,  ft  exigua,  Bong.,  in  Weinm.,  609  (1836). 
Arcyria  fiexuosa,  Rabh.,  Fl.  Cry.,  2158  (1844). 

Arcyria  irregularis,  Racib. 

Sporangia  pinkish-red,  stipitate ;  stem  up  to  '5  mm.  high, 
filled  unth  large,  colourless  cells;  calycidus  hemispherical,  mem- 
brane minutely  warted;  capillitium  forming  an  irregular  net, 
meshes  of  variable  size;  threads  flattened,  margin  undulate, 
from  4'5 — 9'1  /*  wide,  2'5 — 4*5  thick,  threads  everywhere  densely 
covered  ivith  irregular  obtuse  cones  0'8 — 1*5  p.  broad,  for  the  most 
part  elongated;  spores  7 — 7'5  /u  diameter,  membrane  firm, 
smooth,  almost  colourless. 

Arcyria  irregularis,  Racib.,  Myx.  Crac.,  p.  15,  fig.  10;  Sacc., 
Syll,  vii.,  1,  n.  1466. 

Poland. 


Arcyria.  147 


Arcyria  (Erstedtii,  Rost. 

Sporangia  ovate,  in  the  typical  form,  stipitate,  stem  shorter 
than  sporangium,  firm,  erect ;  like  the  sporangium,  dirty  brown  ; 
mass  of  capillitium  and  spores  brown,  often  with  a  red  tinge; 
capillitium  forming  a  rather  dense  net,  threads  cylindrical, 
3 — 5  fi  diameter,  with  scattered,  elliptical,  swollen  portions,  spar- 
ingly and  equally  covered  with  slender  spines  of  various  lengths ; 
spores  smooth,  8 — 10  /x  diameter. 

Arcyria  (Erstedtii,  Rost.,  Mon.,  p.  278,  fig.  196 ;  Sacc.,  SylL, 
vii.,  1,  n.  1468;  Raunk.,  Myx.  Dan.,  p.  60,  t.  3,  f.  1 ;  Cke., 
Myx.  Brit.,  fig.  196. 

On  wood.  Britain  (Burnham  Beeches,  Bucks) ;  Denmark ; 
Russia. 

Characterized  by  the  net,  without  free  arms,  having  its 
threads  swollen  at  intervals,  and  sparingly  and  equally  covered 
with  slender  spines  of  variable  length,  the  longest  about  equal 
to  diameter  of  thread. 

Arcyria  umbrina,  Schum. 

Sporangia  single  or  gregarious,  on  a  thin,  shining  hypothallus, 
ovate,  stipitate.  Receptacle  on  the  inner  side  provided  with 
a  network  of  delicate  thickenings.  Stem  brownish-black,  longer 
than  the  sporangium.  After  dehiscence  of  the  sporangium  the 
capillitium  enlarges  itself  but  slightly.  Capillitium  and  the 
mass  of  spores  ochre-brown.  Tubes  of  net  of  the  capillitium 
with  thickenings  in  the  form  of  half-rings  encircling  the  thread 
in  a  spiral,  without  regard  to  the  thickenings  2'5 — 3  /x,  broad. 
Spores  smooth,  5 — 7  n  diameter. 

Arcyria  umbrina,  Schum.,  t.  3,  f.  5.  Schumacher:  Fl.  Saell., 
No.  1479;  Fl.  Dan.  Tab.,  1975,  fig.  1;  Raunk.,  Myx.  Dan., 
p.  108,  t,  3,  f.  8. 

On  rotten  stumps.     Summer ;  autumn.     Near  Copenhagen. 

When  comparing  the  two  Arcyria — species  delineated  in  the 
Flora  Danica,  1975,  figs.  1  and  2,  with  the  descriptions  of  them, 
it  will  be  seen  that  the  text  to  fig.  1  in  reality  belongs 


148  A  Monograph  of  the  Myxogastres. 

to  fig.  2,  which  no  doubt  is  Arcyria  cinerea,  what  also  may  be 
seen  by  comparison  of  this  figure  with  the  authentic  figure  in 
Bulliard's  Hist,  des  champ.,  &c.,  Tab.,  447,  fig.  3. 

This  error  is  to"  be  found  in  all  authors  who  have  cited  Tabula 
1975  of  Fl.  Dan.  I  beg  to  observe  that  I  follow  the  figure  no. 
I.  of  the  Tabula  and  correct  the  text  according  to  this,  con- 
sequently for  A.  cinerea  I  have  cited  Fl.  Dan.  Tab.  1795,  fig.  2. 

Fig.  1  on  the  Tabula — fig.  2  in  the  text — Arcyria  umlrina, 
Schum.,  is  hitherto  quoted  as  synonymous  with  A.  pomiformis, 
Roth.,  but  I  think  they  are  rather  different  both  in  their  shape 
and  in  their  colour. 

On  a  rotten  stump  near  Copenhagen  I  have  found  the  above 
described  Arcyria,  which  throughout  harmonizes  with  the  figure 
named  and  with  Schumacher's  description  of  his  A.  umlrina. 
This  species  I  therefore  believe  to  have  again  found.  As  may 
be  seen  from  the  description,  A.  umbrina  is  in  the  thickenings 
on  the  tubes  of  the  capillitium  very  different  from  A.  pomi- 
formis,  and  more  connected  with  A.  punicea.  (Raunkier,  in 
Myx.  Dan.) 

From  the  above  it  appears  that  Raunkier  considers  he  has 
collected  the  species  intended  by  Schumacher.  It  will  be 
noted,  however,  that  no  type  specimens  are  factors  in  the 
determination,  but  only  figures.  . 

Arcyria  insignia,  Kalchb.  and  Cke. 

Sporangia  scattered,  very  minute,  not  more  than  '5  mm.  high, 
cylindric-ovate,  rosy  or  vermilion,  upper  portion  falling  away, 
calyculus  minute ;  stem  half  as  long  as  sporangium,  similarly 
coloured,  filled  with  large,  globose,  coloured  cells  which  pass 
into  normal  spores  at  the  apex;  capillitium  dense,  protruded 
elastically,  threads  cylindrical,  thick-walled,  combined  into  an 
irregular  network;  everywhere  densely  and  equally  covered  with 
stout,  acute  spines  about  1  p  high ;  spines  not  connected  into  a 
network  at  the  base;  spores  globose,  smooth,  11 — 12  JLI  diameter. 

Arcyria  insignis,  Kalchbr.  and  Cke.,  Grev.  x.,  p.  143 ;  Sacc., 
Syll.,  no.  1475. 

On  rotten  wood.     S.  Africa. 


Arcyria.  149 

(Type  in  Herb.,  Kew.) 

Distinguished  amongst  the  red  species  by  the  cylindrical 
threads  of  the  capillitium  being  equally  and  densely  covered 
with  short  spine-like  warts  or  very  short  bands. 

Arcyria  fusca,  Fries. 

Every  part  umber-brown,  sometimes  with  .a  tinge  of  olive; 
sporangia  stipitate,  globose  or  very  broadly  elliptical ;  basal  por- 
tion remaining  as  a  calyculus;  stem  3 — 4  times  as  long  as 
S2Jorangium,  very  thin,  equal,  filled  with  large  cells  that  become 
smaller  upwards ;  capillitium  protruded  elastically,  attached  to 
base  of  sporangium,  the  threads  passing  down  between  the 
cells  of  the  upper  portion  of  the  stem,  threads  round,  combined 
to  form  a  dense  network,  with  a  single  row  of  warts  or  very  short 
plates  arranged  in  a  very  open  spiral ;  spores  globose,  smooth, 
7 — 9  fj.  diameter. 

Arcyria  fusca,  Fries,  Gast.,  p.  17. 

Arcyria  punicea,  Host.,  Mon.,  p.  268;  Cke.,  Myx.  Brit,  p.  69 ; 
Sacc.,  Syll.,  vii.,  1,  no.  1457  (all  in  part). 

Exsicc. — Fuck  el,  Fung.  Rhen.,  1443. 

(Specimen  from  Fries  in  Herb.  Berk.) 

On  wood.     Britain  (Batheaston) ;  Sweden ;  Germany. 

Gregarious,  3 — 4  mm.  high.  Considered  by  Rostafinski  as 
synonymous  with  Arcyria  punicea,  from  which  it  differs  in  the 
ornamentation  of  the  threads,  consisting  of  spines  or  short 
flattened  plates  not  occupying  more  than  £  diameter  of  thread, 
long,  thin  stem,  colour,  &c. 

Arcyria  versicolor,  Phill. 

Sporangia  elongato-pyriform  or  clavate,  often  attenuated 
downwards  into  a  short,  thin,  weak  stem ;  wall  of  sporangium 
smooth,  polished,  varying  from  bright  clear  yellow  to  dark  olive  ; 
dehiscing  irregularly,  basal  portion  persistent;  springing  gre- 
gariously from  a  well-developed  hypothallus ;  mass  of  capillitium 
and  spores  clear  yellow  to  dusky  olive ;  capillitium  attached 
only  to  inner  surface  of  stem-like  base  of  sporangium ;  forming 


150  A  Monograph  of  the  Myxogastres. 

a  dense,  irregular  network,  protruded  elastically ;  threads  equally 
covered  in  every  part  with  short,  variously  curved,  and  frequently 
anastomosing,  slightly  raised  bands;  sometimes  a  more  or  less 
perfect  ring  occurs;  spores  globose,  smooth,  8 — 10  p.  diameter. 

Arcyria  versicolor,  Phillips,  in  herb. 

Arcyria  versicolor,  Phill.,  Grev.,  v.,  p.  115,  t.  88,  f.  8,  a — e; 
Sacc.,  Syll,  vii.,  1,  n.  1473. 

Arcyria  vitellina,  Phill.,  Grev.,  v.,  p.  115,  t.  88,  f.  7,  a — e; 
Sacc.,  Syll.,  n.  1474. 

On  trunks.     California. 

A  beautiful  species,  3 — 3'5  mm.  high.  Variable  in  colour, 
but  constant  in  all  important  characters.  I  am  indebted  to 
Mr.  Phillips  for  an  opportunity  of  examining  the  type  specimens. 


Arcyria  nutans,  Host.  (figs.  140,  141). 

Sporangia  cylindrical,  sometimes  ovate,  very  shortly  stipitate, 
wall  dingy  yellow ;  stem  same  colour,  filled  with  large  cells ; 
capillitium  and  mass  of  spores  pale  opaque  yellow ;  capillitium 
elastically  protruded,  elongated,  drooping,  threads  combined  to 
form  a  dense,  irregular  network,  thickenings  in  the  form  of 
prominent  half-rings,  often  with  projecting  spines  arranged  in 
a  diffuse  spiral,  the  remainder  covered  with  a  fine,  irregular  net- 
work ;  spores  globose,  pale  yellow,  smooth,  7 — 8  p.  diameter. 

Arcyria  nutans,  Host.,  ]\|on.,  p.  277 ;  Cke.,  Myx.  Brit.,  p.  72. 

Exsicc.—  Fuckel,  Fung.  Rhen.,  n.  1439. 

On  rotten  wood  and  bark.  Britain  (Kew,  Scarboro',  Carlisle)  ; 
Europe ;  United  States. 

Scattered  or  gregarious,  1*5 — 2  mm.  high.  Somewhat  re- 
sembling A.  cinerea,  but  distinguished  by  the  short  stem,  the 
elastically  protruded,  very  long,  drooping  capillitium,  which  is 
usually  the  colour  of  ground  ginger,  but  sometimes  tinged  with 
brown,  and  more  especially  by  the  portion  of  the  capillitium 
threads  not  occupied  by  the  half-rings  being  ornamented  with 
a  fine  network  of  slightly  raised  lines. 


Arcyria.  151 

(Rostafinski's  Synonyms.) 

Clathroidcs  flavescens,  Mich.,  p.  214  (1729). 

Clathroides  longissimum,  Hall,  p.  10  (1742). 

Clathms  ramosus,  /3.  Retz.  Vet.  Handl.,  253  (1769). 

Trichia  nutans,  Bull.,  t.  502,  f.  3  (1798) ;  Sow.,  t.  260. 

Stemonitis  nutans,  Gmel.,  Sys.,  1467  (1791). 

Arcyria  flava,  Pers.  Obs.,  i.,  85  (1796) ;  Grev.,  t.  309. 

Stemonitcs  amaena,  Trent.,  p.  222  (1797). 

Trichia  elongata,  Schum.  Saell.,  1464  (1803). 

Arcyria  alutacea,  Schum.  Saell.,  1474  (1803). 

Arcyria  nutans,  Grev.  Fl.  Ed.,  p.  455  (1824);  Eng.  Fl.,  v., 

319  ;  Cooke,  Hdbk.,  No.  1173. 
Arcyria  pattens,  Wallr.  in  litt. 

Arcyria  straminea,  Wallr.  Crypt.  Germ.,  2232  (1833). 
Arcyria  nutans,  c,  minor,  Bong.,  in  Weinm,  p.  609  (1836). 

Arcyria  cinera,  Mass.  (figs.  137—139,  and  248,  249). 

Sporangia  varying  from  globose  to  cylindrical,  stipitate, 
simple  or  digitate-fasciculate  on  a  common  stem,  wall  thin, 
smooth,  grey,  or  yellowish,  cup-like  base  persistent  after  de- 
hiscence ;  stem  slender,  about  equal  in  length  to  sporangium  or 
longer,  straight,  colour  of  sporangium,  filled  with  large  cells 
that  become  smaller  upwards;  mass  of  capillitium  and  spores 
yellowish-grey  or  grey ;  capillitium  dense,  protruding  elastically, 
and  remaining  erect,  threads  combined  to  form  an  irregular 
network,  variable  in  thickness,  often  smooth  or  minutely  warted 
towards  the  base,  the  remainder  equally  covered  with  close-set 
short  spines,  or  half-rings  or  spines  arranged  in  a  diffuse  spiral ; 
spores  globose,  smooth,  rarely  minutely  granular,  7—9  /x  diameter. 

Arcyria  cinerea,  Rost.,  Mon.,  p.  272,  figs.  182 — 185,  193 ; 
Cooke,  Myx.  Brit.,  p.  71,  figs.  182—185,  193;  Sacc.,  Syll.,  vii., 
1,  n.  1459. 

Arcyria '  pomifoi-mis,  Rost.,  Mon.,  p.  271;  Cke.,  Myx.  Brit., 
p.  70. 

Arcyria  stricta,  Rost.,  Mon.  Supp.,  p.  71. 


152  A  Monograph  of  the  Myxogastres. 

Arcyria  Friesii,  B.  and  Br.,  Ann.  Nat.  Hist.,  n.  1602  (type 
in  Herb.  Berk.,  Kew) ;  Cke.,  Myx.  Brit.,  p.  71,  figs.  251  and  259. 

Exsicc. — Fuckel,  Fung.  Rhen.,  1440;  Sydow,  Myc.  March., 
n.  1499;  Rab.,  Fung.  Eur.,  369 ;  Ellis,  N.  Amer.  Fung.,  1115. 

On  wood  and  bark.  A  variable  species,  from  1'5 — 4  mm. 
high,  the  capillitium  remains  erect  after  expansion.  In  the 
fasciculate  form  the  sporangia  are  cylindrical  and  elongated, 
2 — 8  springing  from  a  long,  slender  stem. 

Britain  (Lyndhurst,  Swansea,  Kew,  Bulmer,  Scarboro',  Car- 
lisle, Appin,  N.B.);  Europe;  United  States ;  Brazil;  Venezuela; 
S.  Africa ;  Himalayas  ;  Ceylon. 

(Rostafinski's  Synonyms.) 

(Under  A.  cinerea.) 

Clathrus  recutitus,  Linn.  Sp.,  1649  (1764). 

Trichia,  Hall.,  No.  2166  (1768). 

Trichia  cinerea,  Bull.,  t.  477,  f.  3  (1791). 

Stcmonitis  recutita,  Gmel.  Sys.,  1467  (1791). 

Stemonitis  cincrea,  Gmel.  Sys.,  1467  (1791). 

Arcyria  albida,  Pers.  Disp.,  t.  1,  f.  2  (1797). 

Stcmonitis  glauca,  Trent.,  p.  221  (1797). 

Arcyria  cinerea,  Schum.  Saell,  1480  (1803) ;  Fl.  Dan.,  t.  1975, 

f.  1 ;  Eng.  Fl.,  v.,  318;  Cooke,  Hdbk.,  No.  1172. 
Trichia  camea,  Wall,  in  litt. 
Arcyria  camea,  Wall.  Fl.  Germ.,  2234  (1833). 
Arcyria  trichioidcs,  Corda  Ic.,  ii.,  f.  86  (1838). 
Stemonitis  grizea,  Opiz.  in  Lotos,  215  (1855). 
Arcyria  pallida,  B.  and  C.  Grev.  (1873),  No.  365. 
Arcyria  stricta,  Rost.,  Mon.  Supp.,  p.  36.  . 

(Under  A.  pomiformis.') 

Stemonitis  2>omif minis,  Roth.  Fl.  Germ.,  i.,  548  (1788). 
Stemonitis  ochroleuca,  Trent,  in  Roth.,  221  (1797). 
Stcmonitis  lutea,  Trent.,  221  (1797). 

Arcyria  nmbrina,  Schum.  Saell.,  1479  (1803) ;  Berk.  Ann.  N. 
Hist.,  No.  389;  Cooke,  Hdbk.,  No.  1174. 


Arcyria.  153 

Arcyria  silacea,  Ditm.,  t.  8  (1817). 

Arcyria  ochroleuca,  Fr.-S.  M.,  iii.,  181  (1829) ;  Berk.  Ann.  N. 

Hist.,  No.  115 ;  Cooke,  Hdbk.,  No.  1175. 
Arcyria  hitea,  Schwz.  Fung.  Car.,  2339  (1831). 
Arcyria  globosa,  Weinm,  teste  Fr. 
Stemonitis  ochracea,  Opiz.  herb. 

Arcyria  cinerea.     Var.  cribroides,  Raunk. 

Tubes  of  the  capillitium  broader  than  those  of  the  type 
species,  the  inner  meshes  equal  and  of  ordinary  width,  on  the 
surface  of  the  capillitium,  on  the  contrary,  groups  of  very  small 
meshes  and  single  larger  succeed  each  other  alternately. 

Raunk.,  Myx.  Dan.,  p.  107. 

On  decayed  branches  of  fir.     Denmark. 

Arcyria  digitata,  Rost 

Scattered  or  gregarious,  several  sporangia,  3 — 7 ',  fasciculate  on 
a  common  stem;  sporangia  shortly  cylindrical,  apex  obtuse,  basal 
cup-like  portion  persistent ;  mass  of  capillitium  and  spores  pale 
opaque  greyish-yellow,  or  with  an  ochraceous  tinge ;  stem 
elongated,  equal,  rather  slender,  expanded  at  the  base  into  a 
circular  hypothallus ;  capillitium  dense,  becoming  very  much 
elongated  after  dehiscence,  threads  forming  a  network,  meshes 
very  irregular  in  size ;  here  and  there  minutely  warted,  varying 
in  thickness;  spores  globose,  smooth,  7 — 10  /u  diameter. 

Arcyria  digitata,  Rost.,  Hon.,  p.  274;  Sacc.,  Syll.,  vii.,  1 
n.  1460. 

Stemonitis  digitata,  Sz.,  Syn.  Amer.,  n.  2350. 

(Specimen  from  Schweinitz  in  Hb.  Berk.) 

Arcyria  Leprieurii,  Mont.,  Ann.  Sci.  Nat.,  Ser.  IV.,  vol.  iii., 
p.  141.  (Type  in  Herb.  Mus.,  Paris.) 

Arcyria  bicolor,  B.  and  C.,  Journ.  Linn.  Soc.,  vol.  x.,  p.  349. 
(Type  in  Herb.  Berk.) 

JExsicc. — Fung.  Cub.  Wrightian.,  542  (as  Arcyria  bicolor, 
B.  and  C.). 

On  wood  and  bark.     Cuba ;  U.  States ;  Cayenne. 


154          A  Monograph  of  the  Myxogastres. 

From  3 — 4  mm.  high;  several  sporangia  fasciculate  on  a 
common  stem,  rarely  simple.  Closely  allied  to  Arcyria  cinerea, 
differing  in  the  larger  size  of  the  sporangia.  Sometimes  the 
capillitium  and  spores  are  brownish  or  red. 

(Rostafinski's  Synonyms.) 

Stcmonitis  digitata,  Sz.,  Amer.,  f.,  n.  2350  (1834). 
Arcyria   Leprieurii,   Mont,  Ann.    Sci.  Nat.,  v.  iii.,  p.   141, 
no.  603  (1855). 

Arcyria  Cookei,  Mass.  (n.  sp.). 

Gregarious ;  every  part  Uuish-grey ;  sporangia  narrowly 
cylindrical,  elongated,  wall  very  thin  except  the  basal  portion 
which  persists  as  a  shallow  calyculus;  stem  erect,  elongated, 
very  slender,  equal,  filled  with  irregular  lumps  of  organic  matter ; 
capillitium  dense,  becoming  protruded  elastically  during  de- 
hiscence  and  remaining  erect,  innermost  threads  very  thin, 
1'5 — 2  /x  smooth,  combined  to  form  a  very  large-meshed,  irregular 
network,  outer  threads  4 — 5  jx  thick,  densely  and  uniformly 
covered  with  minute  warts,  forming  a  small-meshed  network; 
spores  globose,  smooth,  8 — 9  /x  diameter. 

On  wood.     Brazil. 

(Type  in  Herb.,  Kew.) 

From  3'5 — 4  mm.  high ;  stem  about  equal  in  length  to 
sporangium.  Placed  by  Dr.  Cooke  along  with  Arcyria  cinerea, 
from  which  it  differs  in  the  thin,  elongated  sporangium,  the 
details  of  the  capillitium,  and  in  the  thin  long  stem  being 
filled  with  amorphous  lumps  of  organic  matter. 

Arcyria  dictyonema,  Rost. 

Sporangia  ovate,  stipitate;  stems  springing  in  clusters  from 
the  substratum,  capillitium  not  very  much  divided,  threads 
cylindrical,  width  variable,  generally  3'5  p  thick,  sub-equally 
covered  with  an  elevated  network,  the  bands  of  which  are  spinulose, 
spines  1—2  jx  high ;  spores  smooth,  9 — 10  p  diameter. 


Arcyria.  155 

Arcyria  dictyonema,  Rost.,  Mon.,  p.  279,  fig.  195;  Cke.,  Myx. 
Brit.,  fig.  195 ;  Sacc.,  Syll,  vii.,  1,  n.  1469. 

Russia;  Germany. 

Appears  to  approach  very  closely  some  forms  of  A.  cinerea 
and  A.  nutans. 

(Rostafinski's  Synonyms.) 

Arcyria  nutans,  (a)  sordide  ochracea,  Bong.,  in  Wein.,  1.  c., 

p.  609  (1836). 

Arcyria  ochracea,  D.  By.,  MS. 
Arcyria  cinnamomea,  Kaulfuss,  MS. 

Arcyria  Hariotii,  Mass.  (n.  sp.). 

Gregarious  or  much  crowded  and  irregularly  polygonal  from 
mutual  pressure,  de23ressed,  sessile  on  a  broad  lose,  sporangial  wall 
primrose-yellow,  smooth,  shining,  capillitium  and  mass  of  spores 
dingy  yellow ;  threads  of  capillitium  6 — 8  //  diameter,  forming 
a  dense,  irregular  net,  uniformly  and  densely  covered  with  minute 
warts  ;  spores  globose,  wall  thick,  smooth,  7 — 9  i*.  diameter. 

France.     Communicated  by  M.  Hariot  of  the  Paris  Museum. 

On  decayed  wood.  About  "5  mm.  diameter,  superficially 
closely  resembling  Oligonema  nitens.  Agrees  in  the  smooth 
spores,  dense  capillitium,  and  polished  sporangium  with  Arcyria 
versicolor,  but  in  the  latter  the  sporangium  is  clavate  or  elongato- 
pyriform,  and  the  markings  of  the  capillitium  consist  of  short 
irregularly  arranged  bands. 

Arcyria  aurantiaca,  Raunk. 

Sporangia  gregarious,  ovate,  or  shortly  cylindrical,  stipitate ; 
stem  same  length  or  shorter  than  sporangium.  Thickenings 
on  the  inner  side  of  the  receptacle,  in  the  form  of  fine  warts ; 
wall,  capillitium,  and  mass  of  spores  brick-red  to  orange.  Tubes 
of  the  capillitium  with  irregularly  connected,  close-standing, 
ring-like  thickenings,  5 — 7  n  broad;  spores  smooth,  10 — 11  /x 
diameter. 


156  A  Monograph  of  the  Myxogastre*. 

Arcyria  aurantiaca,  Raunk.,  Myx.  Dan.,  p.  109,  t.  3,  figs.  4, 
and  9—11. 

On  rotten  wood.     Denmark. 

From  the  above  description  it  is  difficult  to  indicate  either 
the  prominent  features  of  the  species  intended,  or  its  affinity 
with  other  species. 


*  *  Spores  warted. 

Arcyria  similis,  Hacib. 

Sporangia  shortly  stipitate,  cherry-coloured ;  threads  of  capil- 
litium  thick-walled,  4'2 — 5 — 8  /x  broad,  cylindrical  or  a  little 
compressed,  everywhere  with  plate-elevations;  plates  generally  in 
the  form  of  half-rings  not  arranged  in  a  regular  spiral  manner, 
but  irregularly,  or  overlapping,  or  in  spirals  irregularly  broken 
up;  spores  8.3  /A  diameter,  almost  colourless,  wall  thin,  dis- 
tinctly verruculose. 

Arcyria  similis,  Racib.,  Myx.  Crac.,  p.  13,  f.  8;  Sacc.,  Syll., 
n.  1462. 

Poland. 

Arcyria  Raciborsckii,  Berlese. 

Sporangia  stipitate,  stem  filled  with  cells;  calyculus  hemi- 
spherical, membrane  thin,  reddish,  densely  covered  on  the  inner 
surface  with  very  short,  acuminate  warts ;  capillitium  at  the  nodes 
and  often  also  on  the  intemodcs  inflated  into  globose  vesicles, 
forming  a  loose  net ;  threads  of  lower  portion  of  the  capillitium 
flattened,  one  margin  with  incrassated  teeth,  remainder  of  threads 
smooth,  the  remainder  and  greater  portion  having  the  threads 
sub-cylindrical,  with  the  teeth  arranged  in  a  spiral,  the  remainder 
of  the  thread  with  undulating  ridges,  in  a  varying  number  of 
spirals,  here  and  there  becoming  indistinct,  or  anastomosing  to 
form  an  irregular  network  on  the  surface  of  the  thread ;  spores 
verruculose,  10'5 — 11*6  f*  diameter. 

Arcyria  Raciborsckii,  Berlese,  Sacc.,  Syll.,  vii.,  1,  n.  1467. 


Arcyria.  157 

Arcyria  decipiens,   Racib.,   Myx.   Crac.,  p.    16,  f.  9  (not  of 
Berkeley). 
Poland. 

Arcyria  inermis,  Racib. 

Sporangia  stipitate,  brick-red;  stem  filled  with  cells  of  various 
sizes,  the  interspaces  filled  with  capillitium  threads ;  capillitium 
forming  a  network,  threads  cylindrical  or  a  little  flattened, 
4'2 — 10'8  /*  broad,  protuberances  combined  into  a  network,  meshes 
1*6 — 2  u  long  and  almost  equally  broad;  spores  9'9 — 10'8  p. 
diameter,  membrane  firm,  reddish,  distinctly  verruculose. 

Arcyria  inermis,  Racib.,  Myx.  Crae.,  p.  14,  f.  7 ;  Sacc.,  Syll., 
vii.,  1,  n.  1465. 

Poland. 

Position  uncertain,  owing  to  absence  of  information  respecting 
the  spores. 

Arcyria  bonariensis,  Speg. 

Sporangia  minute,  \ — f  mm.  long,  \ — \  mm.  broad,  in  densely 
crowded  clusters  of  5 — 20  individuals,  bright  citrin-yellow ;  stem 
half  as  long  as  peridium  and  same  colour;  tubes  of  the 
capillitium  springing  from  the  hollow  of  the  stem,  equal, 
3  fj.  thick,  densely  muricate,  very  pale  yellowish-green ;  spores 
globose,  protoplasm  granular  or  guttulate,  wall  rather  thick, 
10  p.  diameter. 

Arcyria  bonariensis,  Speg.,  Fung.  Arg.,  Pug.  III.,  n.  90 ;  Sacc., 
Syll.,  vii.,  1,  n.  1471. 

On  old  worked  wood.     Argentine  Republic. 

Allied  to  A.  nutans,  but  distinct.     (Speg.) 

Arcyria  aflmis,  Rost. 

Sporangia  cylindric-ovate,  1  mm.  high,  stem  of  about  equal 
length  to  sporangium,  gregarious;  mass  of  capillitium  and  spores 
purple-ferruginous,  dull  orange-red;  threads  of  capillitium 
forming  a  network,  lower  meshes  3'6,  upper  5'4  /*  broad,  mark- 
ings as  in  C.  incarnata. 


158  A  Monograph  of  the  Myxogastres. 

Arcyria  ajfinis,  Rost.,  Mon.,  p.  276 ;  Sacc.,  Syll.,  vii.,  1,  n.  1463. 
On  trunks.     Sweden  ;  Germany. 


(Rostafinski's  Synonyms.) 

Arcyria  vermicularis,  Schum.,  Fl.  Saell.,  n.  1475,  teste  Fr. 

(1803). 
Arcyria  punicea,  /3  vermicularis,  Fr.,  1.  c.,  iii.,  p.  178  (1829). 

Arcyria  cinnamomea,  Hazsl. 

Cinnamon-colour  inside  and  out;  sporangia  gregarious,  at 
length  distinct,  cylindrical ;  stem  equal  to  sporangium  in  length, 
diaphonous- white  ;  tubes  of  capillitium  combined  into  a  hexa- 
gonal network,  3 — 4  fj.  thick,  with  short,  cylindrical,  diaphonous 
warts  ;  spores  cinnamon. 

Arcyria  cinnamomea,  Hazsl.,  Just.,  Bot.  Jahr.,  1877,  p.  156; 
Sacc.,  Syll.,  vii.,  1,  1477. 

Arcyria  decipiens.  Berk. 

Gregarious,  sporangia  stipitate,  obovate,  ochraceous,  capil- 
litium free  above,  obovate,  erect,  with  the  mass  of  spores 
ochraceous ;  spores  globose. 

Arcyria  decipiens,  Berk.,  Fung,  of  Darwin's  Voy.,  Ann.  Nat. 
Hist.,  v.,  4,  p.  447,  t.  10,  f.  3. 

On  palm  stem.     Rio  Janeiro. 

Habit  of  Trichia  clavata,  but  capillitium  reticulated,  and 
thread  without  spirals  (Berk.).  No  specimen  exists  in  Berkeley's 
herbarium. 

B.  Hemiarcyria.  Threads  of  capillitium  with  continuous 
ridges  spirally  arranged. 

§  Spores  minutely  warted. 

Arcyria  rubiformis,  Mass.  (figs.  262 — 264). 

Sporangia  olovate-oblong,  usually  fasciculate  on  a  common 
ridged  or  contorted  stem  of  variable  length,  sometimes  sub-globose 


Arcyria.  159 

and  sessile  on  a  hypothallus,  rarely  an  irregular  plasmodiocarp, 
brown  or  almost  black,  polished  and  with  a  metallic  lustre  or 
opaque ;  mass  of  capillitium  and  spores  orange-broicn ;  threads 
of  capillitium  orange-brown,  8 — 9  /A  thick,  combined  into  a 
dense  elastic  net,  which  at  maturity  elongates  considerably, 
carrying  the  apical  portion  of  the  sporangium  at  its  apex, 
where  it  remains  in  the  form  of  a  cap,  free  tips  numerous, 
usually  terminated  by  from  one  to  three  short,  smooth  spines, 
rarely  obtuse,  spirals  rather  distant,  furnished  with  numerous 
slender  spines ;  spores  globose,  very  minutely  verruculose,  10 — 12  fj, 
diameter. 

a.  genuina;  sporangia  cylindrico-turbinate,  dark-brown, 
opaque,  or  with  a  steel  lustre,  seated  on  a  common  fasciculate 
stem. 

/3.  sessilis;  sporangia  sessile,  cylindrical  or  sub-angular  from 
mutual  pressure. 

y.  plasmodiocarpa ;  irregular,  attached  by  a  broad  base  to  a 
hypothallus. 

Hemiarcyria  rubiformis,  Host,  Mon.,  p.  262;  figs.  201,  230, 
231;  Cooke,  Myx.  Brit.,  figs.  201,  230,  231;  Schroeter,  p.  114; 
Sacc.,  Syll.,  vii.,  n.  1512;  Kaunk.,  Myx.  Dan.,  p.  63,  t.  3,  f.  15, 
t,  4,  f.  6 ;  Mass.,  Kev.  Trich.,  p.  353,  fig.  31  (in  part). 

Exsicc—  Roum.,  Fung.  Gall.,  1686 ;  Fckl.,  Fung.  Rhen.,  1438 
(as  Trichia  rubiformis);  Cooke,  Fung.  Brit.,  612  (as  Trichia 
Neesiana);  Jack,  Leiner  u.  Sitz.  Krypt.  Bad.,  421  (as  Trichia 
rubiformis) ;  Sacc.,  Myc.  Ven.,  962  (as  Trichia  pyriformis) ; 
Hemiarcyria  Ellisii,  Mass.,  Rev.  Trich.,  p.  354,  f.  30;  Karst., 
Fung.  Fenn.,  700. 

A  widespread  and  very  beautiful  species,  characterized  by  the 
cylindrical  or  obovate-oblong,  brown,  fasciculate  sporangia,  fre- 
quently exhibiting  metallic  tints,  and  the  dense  orange-brown 
capillitium  of  spinulose  threads.  The  spores  vary  in  marking 
when  magnified  1200  diameters  from  being  almost  perfectly 
smooth,  to  minutely  but  distinctly  warted. 

On  rotten  wood,  moss,  &c.  Britain  (Apethorpe,  "Weybridge, 
Twycross,  Birmingham,  Bulmer,  N.  Yorks;  Orton  Wood, 
Leicester ;  Wothorpe,  Scarboro',  Carlisle) ;  France ;  Germany ; 


160  A  Monograph  of  the  Myxogastres. 

Switzerland;  Italy;  Belgium;  Denmark;  Hungary;  Finland; 
Bohemia;  Venezuela;  United  States;  Cuba;  Ceylon;  Australia; 
New  Zealand. 


(Rostafinski's  Synonyms.) 

Clathroides  pyriforme,  Hall,  t.  1,  f.  5  (1742). 
Trichia,  Hall,  t.  48,  f.  5,  No.  2167  (1798). 
Lycoperdon  vesparium,  Batsch,  t.  30,  f.  172  (1786). 
Stemonitis  cinnabarina,  Roth.  Fl.  Germ.,  347  (1788). 
Lycoperdon  favaceum,  Schr.  Fl.  Bav.,  ii.,  667  (1789). 
Trichia  pyriformis,  Hoffm.  V.  Cr.,  t,  1,  f.  1,  (1790). 
Stemonitis  fasciculata,  Pers.  in  Gmel.  Sys.,  1468  (1791). 
Stemonitis  vesparia,  Gmel.  Sys.,  1070  (1791). 
Trichia  rubiformis,  Pers.  Disp.,  t.  1,  f.  3,  t.  4,  f.  3  (1797); 

Berk.  Ann.  N.  H.,  No.  218;  Cooke,  Hdbk.,  No.  1177. 
Trichia  rubiformis,  /3  minor,  Pers.  Disp.,  54  (1797). 
Lycoperdon  ferrugineum,  Hedw.,  t.  10,  f.  1 — 4  (1802). 
Trichia  chalybea,  Chev.  Fl.  Par.,  t.  9,  f.  24  (1827). 
Trichia  Neesiana,  Corda  Ic.,  i.,  f.  288  c  (1837). 
Trichia  Ayresii,  B.  and  Br.,  Ann.  N.  H.,  No.  390;   Cooke, 

Hdbk.,  No.  1179. 


Arcyria  paradoxa,  Mass.  (fig.  272). 

Sporangia  scattered  or  aggregated,  sessile  on  a  broad  base, 
hemispherical  or  irregularly  elongated,  smooth,  rather  shining, 
dirty  ochraceous,  inner  surface  of  the  wall  with  a  layer  of  organic 
particles;  mass  of  capillitium  and  spores  pale  lemon-yellow; 
capillitium  scanty,  threads  4 — 5  fj.  thick,  much  contorted  and 
forming  a  very  loose  net  with  but  few  abrupt  free  tips,  spirals 
very  much  crowded,  not  prominent ;  spores  globose,  very  minutely 
warted,  8 — 10  /x  diameter. 

Hemiarcyria  paradoxa,  Mass.,  Rev.  Trich.,  p.  356,  357,  fig.  35. 

On  wood.     Weybridge ;  Surrey. 

Sporangia  when  hemispherical  about  *5  mm.  diameter,  1 — 2 
mm.  when  elongated.  Distinguished  amongst  species  with 


Arcyria.  161 

warted  spores  by  the  densely  crowded  spirals  of  the  elaters, 
and  the  presence  of  organic  particles  on  the  inner  surface  of 
the  sporangial  wall. 

A  note  by  Currey,  who  collected  the  specimen,  now  in  the 
Currey  collection  in  the  Kew  herbarium,  says,  "  The  spores  of 
this  specimen  sown  in  water  produced  de  Bary's  zoospores  in 
24  hours." 


Arcyria  Bucknalli,  Mass.  (figs.  270,  271)-1 

Sporangia  sessile  on  a  broad  or  narrow  base,  seated  on  a  very 
thin  hypothallus,  circular,  reniform,  or  subangular  from  mutual 
pressure,  wall  very  thin,  gilw-ochraceous,  soon  disappearing; 
mass  of  spores  dull  orange ;  capillitium  well-developed,  threads 
sparingly  branched  and  combined  to  form  an  irregular  open 
network  with  numerous,  long,  free  tips,  4 — 5  /x  thick,  walls  with 
annular  ridges  mostly  crowded,  but  here  and  there  scattered, 
and  sometimes  passing  into  a  spiral,  the  ridges  with  numerous 
thin,  straight  spines  3 — 4  ju,  long  the  free  tips  irregularly  swollen, 
without  spirals  or  rings,  Imt  bristling  with  spines,  as  are  also 
certain  interstitial  swollen  portions ;  spores  globose,  pale  yellow, 
minutely  warted,  7 — 9  f/,  diameter. 

Hemiarcyria  Bucknallii,  Mass.,  Grev.,  v.,  18,  p.  27  (1889) ; 
Bucknall,  Fungi  of  the  Bristol  district,  in  Bristol  Nat.  Soc. 
Proc.,  vol.  vi.,  pt.  II.,  1889,  1890,  p.  4,  pi.  2,  f.  5. 

On  wood.     Bristol. 

Generally  crowded,  about  *5  mm.  diameter,  but  extending 
to  1'5  mm.  when  isolated  and  elongated.  Most  closely  allied 
to  Hemiarcyria  Wigandi,  Host.,  but. at  once  distinguished  by 
the  larger  sporangia,  the  markings  on  the  elaters  being  mostly 
rings  and  not  spirals,  and  in  being  furnished  with  numerous 
spines.  The  present  species  combines  the  characters  of  Rosta- 
fmski's  genera  Hemiarcyria  and  Cornuvia,  the  spirals  on  the 
threads  of  the  capillitium  pointing  to  the  former,  and  the 
numerous  free  arms  to  the  latter.  The  spirals  technically 
separate  this  species  from  Ophiotheca  as  understood  in  the 
present  work. 


162  A  Monograph  of  the  l\fyxogastres. 

Arcyria  melanopeziza,  Mass. 

Sporangia  sessile,  creeping,  subterete,  generally  forming  rings, 
1 — 2  mm.  long,  very  Hack,  scarcely  or  not  at  all  shining,  very 
smooth ;  wall  black,  opaque,  subcellular,  rather  coriaceous, 
splitting  longitudinally  and  dehiscing  in  a  valvate  manner; 
capillitium  yellow,  protruded  elastically,  threads  round,  4 — 5  ^ 
thick,  combined  into  a  loose  net,  everywhere  covered  ivith  erect 
spines,  5 — 6  x  1  p,  spirals  almost  obsolete ;  spores  elliptico-glolose, 
papilloso-scdbrid,  10 — 12  x  10  /u,  yellow. 

ffemitrichia  melanopeziza,  Spegazzini,  Fung.  Arg.,  Pug.  IV., 
n.  268. 

Hemiarcyria  melanopeziza,  Berlese,  Sacc.,  Syll.,  vii.,  1,  n.  1520 ; 
Mass.,  Rev.  Trich.,  p.  356. 

On  bark.     Brazil. 

Looking  exactly  like  some  black  Peziza. 

Arcyria  calyculata,  Mass. 

Sporangia  simple,  gregarious,  stipitate,  globose  or  elliptical, 
dirty  foxy-brown,  1 — 2  mm.  diameter;  stem  3 — 5  mm.  long, 
200 — 250  ju  thick,  round,  glabrous,  rather  tough,  apex  dilated 
into  a  little  dimidiate  cup  equal  to  the  peridium,  base  dilated, 
fibrillose,  colour  of  the  sporangium  ;  spores  and  capillitium  dingy 
yellowish -fulvous ;  elaters  7 — 8  /*  thick,  cylindrical,  yellowish, 
sparsely  branched,  free  tips  acute ;  spirals  3 — 5,  flat,  not  very 
conspicuous,  separated  by  interspaces  their  own  width,  spinulose  ; 
spores  discoideo-lenticular,  concavo-convex,  margin  muriculate, 
10  x  3  ju  diameter. 

Hemiarcyria  calyculata,  Speg.,  Fung.  Arg.,  Pug.  III.,  n.  92 ; 
Sacc.,  Syll.,  n.  1518 ;  Mass.,  Revis.  Trich.,  p.  356. 

On  rotten  willow  trunk.     Argentine  Republic. 

It  is  very  doubtful  as  to  whether  the  spores  in  the  normal 
condition  present  the  shape  described  by  Spegazzini;  the 
spores  of  many  species  become  concavo-convex  when  dry,  but  if 
soaked  for  a  sufficient  length  of  time,  assume  the  usual  spherical 
form. 


Arcyria.  163 


Arcyria  stipitata,  Mass. 

Sporangia  pyriform,  from  2 — 5  on  a  common  stem,  or  solitary, 
pale  lemon-yellow,  opaque ;  stem  elongated,  equal,  dark  brown 
black,  longitudinally  rugulose;  mass  of  capillitium  and  spores 
dingy  ochre ;  capillitium  dense,  much  branched  and  forming  a 
net  without  free  tips,  threads  4 — 5  /x  thick,  spirals  very  open, 
rather  distant,  thin,  not  prominent;  spores  globose,  minutely 
warted,  7 — 8  p.  diameter. 

a.  genuina.     Sporangia  single  on  an  elongated  stem. 

ft.  fasciculata.     Sporangia  fasciculate  on  a  common  stem. 

Hemiarcyria  stipitata,  Mass.,  Rev.  Trich.,  p.  354,  fig.  32. 

On  palm  stems.     Java. 

(Type  in  Herb.  Berk.,  Kew.) 

Scattered  or  aggregated,  3 — 4  mm.  high,  stem  about  2  mm. 
long,  thin,  hollow.  Capillitium  elastic,  protruding  after  dehis- 
cence.  Allied  to  Arcyria  clavata,  but  distinct  in  the  dense 
capillitium  without  free  tips,  the  loose  spirals,  and  the  long> 
thin,  black  stem. 


Arcyria  Wigandii,  Mass. 

Sporangia  clavate,  discoid,  or  irregularly  subrotund,  very 
small,  almost  sessile,  mass  of  spores  and  capillitium  bay  or 
jlesh-colcur,  verging  on  yellow ;  elaters  rarely  branching,  spirals 
one  or  two,  Jlexuous,  either  separated  by  interspaces  from  three  to 
four  times  their  own  width,  or  crowded  and  almost  forming  rings, 
tips  scarcely  narrowed,  truncate  and  inflated ;  spores  minutely 
verrucidose,  10 — 11  /x  diameter. 

Hemiarcyria  Wigandii,  Host.,  Mon.,  p.  267,  fig.  232;  Sacc., 
Syll.,  vii,  1,  no.  1517;  Cooke,  Myx.  Brit.,  fig.  232;  Mass.,  Rev. 
Trich.,  p.  356. 

Germany. 

(Rostafinski's  Synonym.) 
Trichia  abietina,  Wigd.,  1.  c.,  p.  33,  t.  2,  f.  11  (1863). 


164  A  Monograph  of  the  Jtfyxogastres, 


§  §  Spores  with  raised  lands  combined  to  form  a  network. 
Arcyria  chrysospora,  Mass.  (figs.  268,  269). 

Sporangia  sessile  on  a  broad  base,  generally  closely  aggre- 
gated, bright  ochraceous  yellow ;  mass  of  capillitium  and  spores 
yellow ;  threads  5  p  thick,  forming  a  loose  net  with  many  free 
ends,  which  generally  terminate  in  slightly  expanded,  smooth, 
bent  or  straight  conical  apices,  spirals  four,  rather  close,  not 
prominent,  connected  by  less  prominent  ridges  running  parallel  to 
the  long  axis  of  the  thread  ;  spores  globose,  with  raised  flat  lands 
forming  a  polygonal  network,  16  p.  diameter. 

Hemiarcyria  chrysospora,  Lister,  Grev.,  vol.  v.,  p.  126;  Mass., 
Rev.  Trich.,  p.  357,  fig.  37. 

On  larch  twigs  lying  on  the  ground  and  on  the  surrounding 
herbage.  Lyme  Regis. 

A  fine  species  with  the  sporangia  reaching  to  1  mm.  diameter, 
approaching  in  habit  and  general  structure  the  form  sessilis  of 
Arcyria  serpula,  but  quite  distinct  in  the  larger  spores,  the 
thinner  capillitium  threads  without  spines,  and  having  the 
spirals  connected  by  ridges  parallel  to  the  axis  of  the  elaters. 
From  three  to  five  polygons  on  a  hemisphere  of  the  spore. 

Arcyria  serpula,  Mass.  (figs.  273,  274a). 

Either  a  vein-like,  creeping  plasmodiocarp,  usually  anasto- 
mosing to  form  a  net,  or  subglobose,  scattered,  and  sessile  on 
a  broad  base,  wall  thin,  fragile,  yellow,  sometimes  tinged  brown ; 
mass  of  spores  and  capillitium  yellow  or  orange ;  threads  of  the 
dense  capillitium  5 — 6  /x  thick,  forming  a  net  with  numerous 
free  ends  which  usually  terminate  in  a  smooth,  thin,  tapering 
spine  8 — 10  fi  long,  spirals  thin,  not  prominent,  rather  distant, 
furnished  with  numerous  long,  slender  spinules;  spores  globose, 
with  narrow,  raised  flat  bands  forming  an  irregular  network, 
10 — 12  n  diameter. 

a.  plasmodiocarpa.  Plasmodiocarp  vein-like,  usually  forming 
a  network. 


Arcyria.  165 

/3.  sessilis.  Sporangia  sessile  on  a  broad  base,  scattered  or 
gregarious,  capillitium  orange,  elastic. 

Hemiarcyria  serpula,  Host,  Mon.,  p.  267,  figs.  200,  227,  228 ; 
Cooke,  Myx.  Brit.,  p.  68,  figs.  200,  227,  228;  Schroeter,  p.  115; 
Sacc.,  Syll.,  vii.,  pt.  I.,  n.  1514 ;  Raunk.,  Myx.  Dan.,  p.  64,  t.  3, 
f.  16 ;  Mass.,  Rev.  Trich.,  p.  357,  f.  34. 

Exsicc. — Fuckel,  Fung.  Rhen.,  2692  (as  Hemitrichia  contorta 
(Ditm.)  Host.). 

On  rotten  wood,  branches,  leaves,  &c.  Britain  (Carlisle; 
specimen  in  Herb.  Berk.,  from  Sovverby's  herbarium,  no  locality, 
called  Trichia  reticulata,  undoubtedly  British) ;  Germany ; 
Sweden;  Belgium;  Italy;  United  States;  Cuba;  St.  Vincent; 
Bombay ;  N.  W.  Australia ;  New  Zealand ;  Ceylon. 

Distinguished  amongst  the  clear  yellow  species  by  the  very 
spiny  elaters  and  the  reticulate  spores.  The  subglobose  sessile 
form  has  not,  so  far  as  I  am  aware,  been  met  with  in  Britain, 
but,  although  differing  in  habit  and  in  the  bright  orange  elastic 
capillitium,  agrees  in  the  structure  of  the  elaters  and  the  spores. 
The  type  of  the  form  sessilis  is  in  the  herbarium  of  the  Paris 
Museum,  and  was  collected  in  Cuba. 

(Rostafinski's  Synonyms.) 

Mucor  serpula,  Scop.  Fl.  Cam.,  t.  65  (1772). 

Lycoperdon  lumbricale,  Batsch.,  f.  174  (1786). 

Trichia  spongioides,  Vill.  Fl.  Dauph.,  1061  (1789). 

Stcmonitis  lumbricalis,  Gmel.  Sys.,  1470  (1791). 

Trichia  reticulata,  Pers.  Disp.,  10  (1797) ;  Ic.  and  Desc.,  1. 12,  f.  1 

Trichia  serpula,  Pers.  Disp.,  10  (1797);   Eng.  FL,  v.,  320; 

Cooke,  Hdbk.,  1189. 

Trichia  serpula,  /3  spongioides,  Pers.  Syn.,  181  (1801). 
Trichia  venosa,  Schum.  Saell.,  1456  (1803). 
HypOrKamma  reticulatum,  Corda  Ic.,  v.,  34  (1842). 
Trichia  retiformis,  Payer.  Crypt.,  f.  574  (1850). 

Arcyria  clavata,  Mass.  (fig.  124). 
Sporangia  varying  from  clavate  to  globose,  ycllcnvish,  polished, 


166          A  Monograph  of  the  bfyxogastres. 

stem  thin,  length  variable,  yellow,  often  reddish  at  the  base, 
filled  with  large,  globose,  or  subangular  cells,  which  pass  upwards 
into  normal  spores;  mass  of  spores  clear  yellow,  ochraceous- 
orange,  or  tinged  with  olive;  threads  of  capillitium  4 — 5  /* 
thick,  forked  repeatedly  and  combined  into  an  irregular  open 
net,  free  ends  not  numerous,  obtuse,  sometimes  slightly  swollen, 
spirals  thin,  not  prominent,  rather  distant ;  spores  globose,  very 
minutely  and  irregularly  reticulated,  8 — 10  \L  diameter. 

Hcmiarcyria  clavata,  Host.,  Mon.,  p.  264,  figs.  205,  207,  210, 
238;  Cke.,  Myx.  Brit.,  p.  68,  figs.  205,  207,  210,  238;  Sacc., 
Syll.,  vii.,  1,  n.  1513;  Mass.,  Mon.  Trich.,  p.  31 ;  Raunk.,  Myx. 
Dan.,  p.  64;  Schroeter,  p.  114. 

Eocsicc. — Fckl.,  F.  Rhen.,  1434;  Jack,  Leiner  u.  Sitzenb. 
Krypt.  Badens.,  621 ;  Ellis,  N.  Amer.  Fung.,  523. 

On  decayed  wood,  &c.  Britain  (King's  Clifie,  Apethorpe, 
Scarboro',  Carlisle) ;  France ;  Germany ;  Denmark ;  United 
States ;  Cuba ;  Brazil ;  Ceylon  ;  Bonin  Islands. 

Scattered  or  gregarious,  1'5 — 2  mm.  high,  stem  slender,  often 
attenuated  downwards  and  longitudinally  wrinkled,  sometimes 
very  short,  especially  when  the  sporangium  is  almost  globose. 

The  spores  are  usually  covered  with  very  thin,  slightly  raised 
ridges  combined  into  a  very  fine,  irregular  network,  but  the 
ridires  are  sometimes  short  and  distinct  or  even  wart-like. 


(Rostafinski's  Synonyms.) 

Clathrus  pedatus,  Schm.  Ic.,  t.  33,  f.  1,  17  (1776). 
Spliacrocarpus  pyriformis,  Bull.,  t.  417,  f.  2  (1791). 
Stemonitis  pyriformis,  Gmel.  Sys.,  1469  (1791). 
Trichia  pyriformis,  Sibth.  Fl.  Ox.,  406  (1794)  ;  Sow.,  400,  f.  6. 
Trkhia  clavata,  Pers.  Disp.,  p.  11  (1797);  Eng.  Fl.,  v.,  320; 

Cooke,  Hdbk.,  1183. 

Trichia  citrina,  Schum.  Saell.,  1460  (1803). 
Arcyria  trichioidcs,  Rudolph,  Linnaea,  p.  120  (1829). 
Trichia  erythropus,  Borszczow  (1856). 
Trichia  dbtusa,  Wigand,  p  30,  t.  11,  f.  4  (1863). 
Trichia  Thwaitcsii,  B.  and  Br.,  Ceylon  Fung.,  No.  776  (1873). 


Arcyria.  1G7 

§  §  §  Spores  smooth. 
Arcyrio  leiocarpa,  Mass. 

Sporangia  scattered  or  aggregated,  obovate  or  pyriform,  rarely 
almost  globose,  pallid,  stem  same  colour,  as  long  as  diameter 
of  sporangium;  mass  of  capillitium  and  spores  concolorous,  or 
with  a  slight  ochraceous  tint ;  capillitium  sparse,  forming  a  loose 
net,  threads  5  //.  thick,  spirals  thin,  rather  close,  slightly  pro- 
minent on  the  convex  side  of  the  bent  threads,  usually  furnished 
with  scattered,  rudimentary  spinules,  free  tips  very  rare  or 
absent ;  spores  globose,  smooth,  12 — 14  p.  diameter. 

Hemiarcyria  leiocarpa,  Cooke,  Myx.,  U.  States,  in  Ann.  Syc. 
Nat.  Hist.,  New  York,  xi.,  n.  12,  p.  405;  Cooke,  Myx.  Brit., 
figs.  252,  255;  Sacc.,  Syll.,  vii.,  1,  n.  1519;  Mass.,  Rev.  Trich., 
p.  353,  fig.  33. 

In  Saccardo's  Sylloge  VII.,  pt.  I.,  p.  440,  n.  1519,  Rostafinski 
is  given  as  the  author  of  the  present  species,  and  the  reader  is 
referred  to  "Rost.,  Mon.,  p.  267"  for  the  description,  but  in 
reality  the  present  species  is  not  included  in  Rostafinski's  work. 

Arcyria  leocarpoides,  Mass. 

Sporangia  globose  or  pyriform,  0'6 — 0*8  mm.  diameter,  flesh- 
red  or  fulvous,  often  depressed  and  deeper  coloured  at  the  apex, 
not  at  all  or  only  a  little  shining,  very  smooth,  cortex  rather 
thick,  subcartilaginous,  soon  breaking  away  in  pieces  above, 
usually  persistent,  cup-like  at  the  base ;  stem  rather  rigid,  erect, 
brownish  or  blackish,  slender,  even  or  subrugulose,  about  as 
long  as  diameter  of  sporangium;  capillitium  after  dehiscence 
protruding  elastically,  attached  at  the  base,  very  persistent, 
brownish-fulvous,  or  olive-fulvous,  threads  slender,  cylindrical, 
5 — 6  /u.  thick,  forming  a  dense  net  with  numerous  terete,  abruptly 
rounded  free  arms,  threads  with  3 — 4  spirals,  very  smooth,  not 
papillate;  spores  globose,  8 — 10  ju.  diameter,  very  smooth,  proto- 
plasm granular,  fulvous-olive. 

Cornuvia  leocarpoides,  Speg.,  Fitng.  Arg.  Pug.  I.,  n.  264 ;  Sacc., 
Syll.,  vii.,  1,  n.  1546. 

On  rotten  wood.     Brazil. 


168          A  Monograph  of  the  Myxogastres. 

\ 

The  stipitate  sporangia  and  elastically  protruded  capillitium 
attached  at  the  base,  as  also  the  spiral  markings  on  the  threads 
prove  the  present  species  to  be  an  Arcyria,  in  which  genus 
free  arms  to  the  capillitium  are  frequent  in  several  species. 

Arcyria  Karsteni,  Host. 

Sporangia  effused,  vermiform,  sinuous,  sometimes  forming 
irregular  reticulations,  or  hemispherical,  scattered,  and  sessile 
on  a  broad  base,  varying  from  dirty  ochraceous  brown  to  dark 
chestnut ;  mass  of  capillitium  and  spores  dingy  ochre ;  threads 
often  irregularly  branched,  and  forming  a  very  loose  net,  3 — 4  p. 
thick,  with  scattered,  inflated  portions  12 — 15  p  thick,  and 
30 — 50  p  long,  spirals  very  indistinct,  a  few  scattered  rudimentary 
spines  now  and  then  present,  free  tips  not  distinctly  attenuated, 
usually  abrupt  or  clavate;  spores  globose,  smooth,  12 — 12  /x 
diameter. 

Hemiarcyria   Karsteni,   Host.,    Mon.   Suppl.,   p.    41 ;    Karst., 
Myx.  Fenn.,  iv.,  p.  142;  Schroeter,  p.  115;  Sacc.,  Syll.,  vii.,  1, 
n.  1510 ;  Mass.,  Rev.  Trich.,  p.  342,  fig.  36. 
(Specimen  from  Ceylon  in  Herb.  Berk.,  named  by  Rostafinski.) 

On  wood.     Finland  ;  Silesia ;  Ceylon. 

Characterized  by  the  threads  of  the  scanty  capillitium  being 
considerably  swollen  at  intervals,  and  by  the  indistinct  spirals. 

Arcyria  pusilla,  Mass. 

Sporangia  rather'  closely  gregarious,  subcylindrico-elliptical, 
0'4 — 0'5  mm.  high,  0'15 — 0'25  mm.  diameter,  rather  obtuse 
above,  abruptly  subtruncate  below,  with  only  a  trace  of  a  stem 
or  altogether  without;  at  first  Hood-red  with  an  amber  tinge, 
afterwards  rose-colour ;  capillitium  rather  dense,  forming  a  rose- 
coloured  network,  threads  round,  3 — 4  fx  thick,  spirals  three  or 
four,  furnished  with  minute  spinules ;  spores  rose  or  flesh-colour, 
globose,  smooth,  7 — 9  ^t  diameter. 

H&mitrichia  pusilla,  Speg.,  Fung.  Arg.  Pug.,  IV.,  n.  260. 

Hemiarcyria  pusilla,  Berldfee,  Sacc.,  Syll.,  IV.,  1,  n.  1512; 
Mass.,  Rev.  Trich.,  p.  352. 

On  bark.  .  Argentine  Republic. 


Arcyria.  169 


Arcyria  fuliginea,  Cke.  and  Mass.  (fig.  113). 

Sporangia  (?),  mass  of  capillitium  and  spores  smoky-olive, 
threads  round,  6 — 7  jw.  diameter,  thicldy  and  equally  covered  with 
slender  spines  3 — 4  JA  long,  combined  to  form  a  dense,  irregular 
network ;  spores  globose,  smooth,  8  fx  diameter. 

Hemiarcyria  fuliginea,  Cke.  and  Mass.,  Grev.,  vol.  xvi.,  p.  74. 

On  living  leaves.     Mount  Wilson,  N.  S.  Wales. 

Nothing  is  known  of  the  sporangium,  which  had  been  com- 
pletely crushed  and  lost;  capillitium  forming  a  large  mass 
spreading  over  the  leaves.  May  possibly  prove  to  be  a  broadly 
effused,  plasmodiocarp  form  of  an  Ophiotheca. 

Sub-sect.    TRICHEAE. 
OLIGONEMA,  Host.  4 

Wall  of  sporangium  single,  dehiscing  irregularly ;  capillitium 
scanty,  composed  of  free,  simple  or  branched  elaters,  furnished 
with  ring-like  thickenings,  or  a  single  very  diffuse,  rudimentary 
spiral,  tips  obtuse. 

Oligonema,  Host.,  Mon.,  p.  291 ;  Cooke,  Myx.  Brit.,  p.  77 ; 
Sacc.,  Syll.,  p.  436  ;  Mass.,  Rev.  Trich.,  p.  21. 

Agreeing  with  the  genus  Trichia  in  having  the  elaters  per- 
fectly free,  but  readily  distinguished  by  the  rudimentary  mark- 
ings on  their  walls,  never  having  more  than  a  single,  indistinct, 
very  open  spiral,  which  may  be  present  on  one  portion  of  an 
elater  and  absent  on  another  part,  or  not  unfrequently  altogether 
absent  from  all  the  elaters  of  one  sporangium,  and  present 
on  some  of  those  from  another  sporangium  taken  from  the 
same  group.  A  second  type  of  ornamentation  on  the  walls 
of  the  elaters  in  the  present  genus  consists  of  annular  or 
ring-like  thickenings,  which  present  the  appearance  of  thin, 
flat  discs,  rather  larger  than  the  diameter  of  the  elater,  and 
placed  at  right  angles  to  its  long  axis.  These  ring-like  thicken- 
ings are  very  unequally  distributed,  five  or  six  being  sometimes 
met  with  at  unequal  distances  on  an  elater,  whereas  they  may 


170          A  Monograph  of  the  Myxogastres. 

be  entirely  absent  from  all  the  elaters  next  examined.  These 
annular  thickenings  are  also  met  with  on  the  threads  of  the 
capillitium  of  some  species  of  Cornuvia,  Didymium,  Tilmadoche, 
&c.  In  rare  instances  the  two  ends  of  an  elater  coalesce  and 
form  a  closed  ring,  as  figured  by  Rostafinski  in  Oligonema  nitcns, 
Host.,  Hon.,  fig.  198. 

Distrib.  Europe ;  North  Africa ;  North  America.     Species  7. 

*  Epispore  reticulated. 
Oligonema  nitens,  Host.  (figs.  193 — 195). 

Sporangia  densely  crowded,  in  one  or  several  superposed 
layers,  when  scattered,  sessile  on  a  broad  or  slightly  contracted 
base,  clear  primrose-yellow,  very  smooth  and  shining;  mass  of 
capillitium  and  spores  yellow;  elaters  scanty,  4 — 5  \JL  thick, 
simple  or  sparingly  branched,  very  variable  in  marking,  with 
scattered,  thick,  projecting  rings,  or  a  very  indistinct,  open 
spiral  on  the  whole  or  part  of  an  elater,  or  a  combination  of 
both,  not  unfrequently  perfectly  smooth,  tips  obtuse  or  more 
or  less  pointed ;  spores  globose,  with  narrow  raised  ridges  of 
varying  thickness,  forming  an  irregular  network,  11 — 13  jut 
diameter. 

Oligonema  nitcns,  Host.,  Mon.,  p.  291,  f.  198  ;  Cke.,  Myx.  Brit., 
f.  198 ;  Schroeter,  p.  108  ;  Sacc.,  Syll.,  n.  1488  (the  sporangium 
described  as  of  a  gilvous  colour  by  mistake) ;  Mass.,  Rev.  Trich., 
p.  347,  f.  29. 

Oligonema  bavarica,  Balf.  and  Berl.,  Sacc.,  Syll.,  n.  1490. 

Oligonema  nitens,  a  bavarica,  Mass.,  Rev.  Trich.,  p.  347,  f.  25. 

Trichia  nitens,  Libert,  PL  Cr.  Ard.,  fasc.  iii.,  n.  227. 

Exsicc. — Lib.,  PL  Crypt.  Ard.,  fasc.  iii.,  n.  227  (as  Trichia 
nitens) ;  Klotzsch,  Herb.  Myc.,  (Rabeuh.)  137  (as  Trichia  circum- 
scissa)\  Fuckel,  F.  Rhen.,  2198  (as  Trichia  nitcns}',  de  Thum., 
Myc.  Univ.,  nos.  399  and  1497  (as  Trichia  Bavarica}. 

On  wood,  bark,  &c.  Britain  (Carlisle,  Bristol,  Birmingham) ; 
France;  Bavaria;  Germany. 

Sporangia  '5 — 1  mm.  diameter,  clear  yellow,  polished ;  the 
elaters  are  extremely  variable  in  marking,  as  is  also  the 


Oligonema.  171 

epispore,  but  the  latter  always  in  the  markings  forming  a 
reticulation. 

Oligonema  flavidum,  Mass. 

Sporangia  crowded,  sessile,  bright  yellow,  shining,  mass  of 
capillitium  and  spores  bright  yellow;  elaters  scanty,  short, 
4 — 5  p.  thick,  sometimes  with  an  elliptical  interstitial  swelling, 
tips  variable,  subacute  or  inflated,  densely  covered  with  minute 
raised  points ;  spores  globose,  ivith  thin  raised  bands  combined 
to  form  a  very  irregular  network,  bands  not  punctate,  7 — 9  jj. 
diameter. 

Perichaena  flavida,  Peck,  26th  Annual  Report  of  New  York 
State  Mus.,  p.  76  (1874). 

On  moss,  wood,  &c.     United  States. 

The  sporangia  are  irregular  in  form,  circular,  angular,  or 
elongated.  Forming  patches  of  considerable  extent. 

Superficially  resembling  0.  nitens,  but  distinct  in  the  elaters 
and  spores.  The  elaters  agree  with  those  of  0.  minutula  in 
being  rugulose  or  covered  with  small  points  or  band-like 
wrinkles,  but  in  the  present  species  the  spores  are  smaller  and 
the  reticulations  more  irregular  in  form  and  size. 

Oligonema  minutulum,  Mass. 

^Sporangia  scattered,  rarely  aggregated,  sessile  on  a  narrow 
base,  lemon-yellow,  dull,  capillitium  very  scanty,  elaters  simple, 
short,  cylindrical,  5 — 6  iJ.  thick,  rugulose,  and  with  a  very  open, 
indistinct  spiral,  tips  obtuse,  rounded ;  spores  globose,  and  with 
slightly  raised,  flattened  bands  forming  a  network  of  numerous, 
almost  regular  and  equal-sized  polygons,  12 — 14  p,  diameter. 

Oligonema  minutula,  Mass.,  Rev.  Tricb.,  p.  348,  fig.  20. 

Type  in  Herb.  Berk.,  Kew,  no.  10902,  marked  "  Trichia 
minutula,  D.  R,  et  Montag.,  Algiers,"  Algeria. 

So  far  as  I  am  aware,  the  present  species  has  not  been 
described  by  Montague.  Related  to  0.  nitens,  but  known  by 
the  scattered,  dull  sporangia,  and  the  very  few,  short  elaters 
haviDg  thick,  rugulose  walls,  with  an  indistinct  open  spiral ; 


172          A  Monograph  of  the  Myxogastres. 

in  rare  instances  a  swollen  portion  15 — 20  /u.  long,  and  8 — 12  /x 
thick  is  present  near  the  middle  of  an  elater,  but  there  is  no 
indication  of  the  narrow,  ring-like  thickenings  as  in  0.  nitens. 
From  7 — 9  complete  polygons  present  on  a  hemisphere  of  a 
spore. 

*  *  Epispore  warted. 

Oligonema  Broomei,  Mass.  (figs.  185,  186). 

Sporangia  scattered  or  in  small  groups,  adnate  by  a  broad 
base,  hemispherico-depressed,  circular  or  irregularly  elongated, 
wall  smooth,  dark  brown,  dull ;  mass  of  capillitium  and  spores 
reddish-ochre;  elaters  cylindrical,  3 — 4  /x  thick,  irregularly 
branched,  dull-orange,  furnished  with  narrow,  ring-like  thicken- 
ings, at  regular  distances,  tips  obtuse ;  spores  rather  coarsely 
warted,  dull  orange  or  yellowish,  globose,  13 — 14  /x  diameter. 

Oligon,ema  Broomei,  Mass.,  Rev.  Trich.,  Journ.  Roy.  Micr. 
Soc.,  1889,  p.  345,  pi.  vii.,  f.  22. 

(Type  in  Herb.,  Broome  in  Brit.  Mus.,  marked  "  Trichia 
scrpula"  (?).) 

On  bark.     Britain  (Warleigh,  Somerset). 

The  present  species  is  most  neai4y  allied  to  0.  aeneum,  Karst., 
which  has  up  to  the  present  been  only  met  with  in  Finland, 
and  is  distinguished  by  the  crowded  habit,  polished  sporangia 
with  metallic  tints,  and  smaller  spores. 

When  circular  the  sporangia  vary  from  '5 — 1  mrn.,  and  when 
elongated  2 — 3  mm.  long. 

Oligonema  aeneum,  Karst. 

Sporangia  densely  crowded,  often  confluent  and  venulose,  rarely 
scattered,  orbicular  or  angular  from  mutual  pressure,  depressed, 
shining,  with  copper,  green,  or  olive  metallic  tints ;  threads  of  the 
capillitium  free,  2 — 3  /x  thick,  with  scattered  thickenings  in  the 
form  of  circles;  spores  globose,  warted,  rather  ferruginous  or 
pale  reddish-ochre,  12  fi  diameter. 

Oligonema  aeneum,  Karsten,  Myc.  Fenn.,  iv.,  p.  125 ;  Sacc., 
Syll.,  n.  1487 ;  Mass.,  Rev.  Trich.,  p.  346. 

Finland. 


Oligonema.  173 

Oligonema  furcatum,  Bucknall. 

Sporangia  scattered,  globose,  shining,  bright  chrome-yellow,  as 
well  as  the  capillitium  and  spores  ;  elaters  cylindrical,  simple 
or  branched,  slightly  thickened  at  the  obtuse  ends,  with  a  faint 
open  spiral,  3  —  4  p.  diameter  ;  spores  globose,  minutely  warted, 
11  —  12  ju  diameter. 

Oligonema  furcatum,  Bucknall  in  litt. 

On  a  rotting  trunk.     Britain  (Abbotts  Leigh). 

Superficially  closely  resembling  Oligonema  nitens,  from  which 
however  it  is  quite  distinct  in  the  minutely  warted  spores,  and 
the  absence  of  thickened  rings  on  the  usually  furcate  elaters. 

Oligonema  brevifilum,  Peck. 

Sporangia  crowded  in  effused  heaps,  bright  ochraceous  yellow  ; 
elaters  few,  short,  cylindrical  or  subfusiform;  spores  globose, 
ritgose,  11  /*  diameter. 

Oligonema  nitens,  Peck,  in  31st  Report  of  State  Agric.  Mus., 
p.  42  ;  Sacc.,  Syll.,  n.  1489  ;  Mass.,  Rev.  Trich.,  p.  346. 

On  mosses.     United  States. 

Mr.  Wingate  of  Philadelphia  thinks  that  the  present  species 
prove  to  be  an  abnormal  condition  of  0.  flavida. 


TRICHIA,  Haller  (emended). 

Wall  of  sporangium  single,  dehiscing  irregularly  ;  capillitium 
consisting  of  free,  simple  or  branched  threads,  having  the  wall 
furnished  with  raised  bands  arranged  _in  a  spiral  manner  ;  spores 
globose,  epispore  smooth,  or  variously  ornamented. 

Trichia,  Haller,  Helv.,  iii.,  p.  114;  Rost.,  Mon.,  p.  243;  Cooke, 
Myx.  Brit.,  p.  61  (in  part)  ;  Sacc.,  Syll.,  vol.  vii.,  pt.  I.,  p.  438 
(in  part)  ;  Mass.,  Mon.  Trich.,  p.  328. 

The  genus  is  readily  distinguished  by  the  presence  of  well- 
developed  external  ridges  arranged  in  a  spiral  manner  on  the 
perfectly  free  elaters  or  threads  of  the  capillitium.  The  elaters 
are  in  most  species  unbranched,  cylindrical  or  fusiform,  and 
more  or  less  attenuated  at  the  tips.  In  a  few  species  the 


174          A  Monograph  of  the  Myxogastres. 

elaters  are  branched,  the  free  ends  varying  from  three  to  ten 
in  number.  The  only  other  genus  with  free  elaters  is  Oligoncma, 
but  here  the  spirals  are  at  most  rudimentary  and  the  tips 
obtuse. 

Distrib.  All  temperate  and  tropical  countries.     Species  30. 

A.     Spores  smooth. 
Trichia  Carlyleana,  Mass.  (173 — 175). 

Sporangia  clavate  or  cylindric-oblong,  stipitate,  dark  brown, 
often  with  a  purple  tinge,  smooth  ;  stem  usually  about  half  as 
long  as  sporangium,  equal,  or  slightly  thickened  downwards 
and  expanded  at  the  base  into  a  small  circular  hypothallus; 
inner  surface  of  sporangi-al  wall  and  hollmv  of  stem  with  numerous 
rather  large  organic  lumps,  of  a  bright  reddish-purple  colour; 
mass  of  spores  bright  yellow ;  elaters  fusiform,  5 — 6  /u  at  thickest 
part,  simple  or  frequently  branched,  tips  running  into  a  long, 
smooth,  very  thin,  straight  or  flexuous  spine,  spirals  crowded, 
thin,  not  prominent;  spores  globose,  smooth,  10 — 12  /x  diameter. 

Trichia  Carlyleana,  Mass.,  Mon.  Trich.,  p.  5,  f.  15. 

On  wood.     Britain  (Carlisle). 

Sporangia  in  fascicles  of  3 — 5  ;  2 — 3  mm.  high.  Superficially 
resembling  some  forms  of  Trichia  fragilis,  but  quite  distinct 
in  the  smooth  spores,  and  the  narrow,  crowded,  and  not  at 
all  prominent  spirals  of  the  elaters.  The  colouring  matter  in 
the  organic  lumps  on  the  wall  of  the  sporangium  and  in  the 
stem  is  soluble  in  dilute  potassic  or  ammonia  hydrate. 

Trichia  heterotrichia,  Balf. 

Sporangia  sessile  in  clusters,  dark  yellow,  wall  thick,  tough 
and  leathery,  inner  layer  areolate ;  elaters  few,  cylindrical,  7  /u, 
diameter  (thickenings  excluded),  with  walls  of  medium  thick- 
ness, irregularly  and  variously  thickened,  either  with  spines 
often  twice  diameter  of  elaters,  or  with  short  prickles  or  warts, 
or  with  complete  or  half-rings,  or  sometimes  with  interrupted 
and  irregular  spirals  leaving  large  intervening  unthickened 
portions,  swollen  towards  the  extremities,  and  ending  in  a 


Trichia.  175 

tapered,  rarely  smooth,  arcuate  or  twisted  point,  in  length  twice 
the  diameter  of  elater;  spores  globose,  pale  yellow,  smooth, 
16 — 17  n  diameter. 

Trichia  heterotrichia,  I.  B.  Balfour,  Grev.,  vol.  x.,  p.  117; 
Sacc.,  Syll.,  n.  1505 ;  Mass,  Mon.  Trich.,  p.  5,  f.  16. 

On  bark.     Britain  (in  Herb.  Currey,  Kew ;  no  locality). 

A  species  resembling  most  nearly  forms  of  Trichia  varia, 
Pers.,  but  the  few  elaters  with  the  very  varying  sculpturing 
and  the  larger  smooth  spores  sufficiently  separate  them.  (I. 
B.  B.) 

B.     Spores  warted. 

§  -Maters  fusiform. 
Trichia  fragilis,  Rost.  (figs.  7 — 10). 

Sporangia  varying  from  globose  to  pyriform,  stipitate,  solitary, 
or  fasciculate  on  a  common  stem,  wall  smooth,  blackish  or 
purple-brown,  pale  brown  or  yellowish  ;  stem  dark,  longitudinally 
wrinkled,  equal  or  tapering  upwards,  erect  or  curved,  often 
twisted  in  the  compound  forms,  inside  of  the  wall  often  with 
coloured  organic  lumps  ;  mass  of  .capillitium  and  spores  varying 
from  dull  orange-brown  to  primrose-yellow,  separated  from  the 
hollow  of  the  stem  ~by  a  membrane;  elaters  fusiform,  4 — 5  ju.  at 
thickest  part,  sometimes  branched,  spirals  flat,  rather  broad, 
not  very  prominent,  tips  smooth,  tapering  to  a  thin  point,  spores 
globose,  minutely  warted,  11 — 14  /x  diameter. 

a.  genuina.  Sporangia  pyriform,  solitary  or  fasciculate,  clear 
or  black-brown,  opaque ;  mass  of  capillitium  and  spores  varying 
from  reddish-brown  to  dirty  ochre  ;  stem  erect. 

/3.  Lorinseriana.  Sporangia  pyriform,  solitary  or  fasciculate, 
reddish-  brown,  polished ;  mass  of  capillitium  and  spores  dirty 
ochraceous ;  stem  generally  curved. 

y.  serotina.  Sporangia  clavate  or  pyriform,  solitary  or  fascicu- 
late; mass  of  spores  and  capillitium  clear  yellow  to  ochraceous; 
stem  erect  or  curved. 

5.  lateritia.  Sporangia  subglobose,  solitary  or  fasciculate, 
almost  black ;  mass  of  capillitium  and  spores  dark  orange-brown ; 
stem  attenuated  upwards. 


176  A  Monograph  of  the  Myxogastres. 

Trichia  fragilis,  Host,  Mon.,  p.  246,  figs.  203,  204,  225,  226 
(in  part);  Cooke,  Myx.  Brit,  p.  63,  figs.  203,  204,  205,  226 
(in  part) ;  Sacc.,  Syll.,  vii.,  1,  n.  1494  (in  part) ;  Balf.,  Gvev.  v., 
10,  p.  116  (in  part) ;  Mass.,  Mon.  Trich.,  p.  6,  figs.  14  and  28. 

Trichia  lateritia,  Lev.,  Ann.  Sci.  Nat.,  Ser.  III.,  vol.  v., 
p.  167;  Sacc.,  Syll.,  vii.,  n.  1494 ;  Balf,  Grev.,  vol.  x.,  p.  116. 

Trichia  botrytis,  Schroeter,  p.  112;  Raunk.,  Myx.  Dan.,  p.  67. 

SpJutcrocdrpuA  fragilis,  Sow.,  t.  279. 

Exsicc.— Cke.,  Fung.  Brit.,  612 ;  Rab.,  Fung.  Eur.,  244 ;  Jack, 
Leiner.  u.  Sitzenb.  Krypt.  Badens.,  329;  Erbar.  Critt.  Ital, 
640;  Ellis  and  Everh.,  N.  Amer.  Fung.,  Ser.  II.,  2097  and 
2098 ;  Fuckel,  Fung.  Rhen.,  1437. 

On  wood,  twigs,  &c.  Britain  (Brighton,  Kew,  Gloucester, 
Castle  Howard,  Yorks ;  Carlisle,  Appin,  N.  B.) ;  Europe ;  United 
States;  Canada;  Chili;  S.  Africa;  Ceylon;  S.  W.  Australia; 
Tasmania ;  N.  Zealand. 

A  variable  species  in  colour  of  sporangium  and  mass  of  spores 
and  capillitium.  The  distinguishing  characters  are  the  fusiform 
elaters  with  long,  smooth,  tapering  tips  and  flat  spirals,  and 
the  warted  spores.  Varying  from  2 — 4  mm.  high ;  solitary,  or 
in  more  or  less  confluent  clusters  of  from  2 — 7  on  a  common 
stem,  which  is  obviously  composed  of  several  confluent'  stems, 
and  hence  forming  a  stipitate  aethalium.  The  elaters  are 
sometimes  branched  near  the  tips.  I  have  examined  the  type 
specimen  of  Trichia  lateritia  in  the  Paris  Museum,  and  find 
that  it  agrees  exactly  with  Trichia  fragilis  in  the  structure  of 
the  spores  and  capillitium. 

(Rostafinski's  Synonyms.) 

Lycoperdon  bombacinum,  Batsch,  EL,  p.  153  (1783). 
Stemonitis  botrytis,  Pers.  in  Gmel.  Syst.,  1468  (1791). 
Trichia  botrytis,  Pers.  Disp.,  p.  9  (1797);   Ic.  Pict.,  t.  12, 

f.  1—2. 

Trichia  botrytis,  /3.  minor,  Pers.  Disp.,  54  (1797). 
Trichia  scrotina,  Schrad.,  Journ.,  t.  3,  f.  1  (1799) ;  Engl.  FL, 

v.,  p.  310;  Cooke,  Hdbk.,  No.  1181. 


Trie  It  i<i.  177 

Sphacrocarpus  fragilis,  Sow.,  t.  279  (1803). 

Trichia  notata,  Fl.  Dan.,  1680  (1823). 

Trichia  badia,  Fr.  Stirp.  Femsj.,  83  (1825). 

Trichia  pyriformis,  Fr.,  S.  M.,  iii.,  184  (1829) ;  Curr.,  Micr. 

Journ.,  v.,  p.  129;  Cke.,  Hdbk.,  n.  1178. 
Trichia  I/orinseriana,   Corda,   Ic.,   f.   228   D  (1837) ;    Curr., 

Micr.  Journ.,  v.,  p.  129 ;  Cke.,  Hdbk.,  n.  1180. 
Trichia  pyriformis,  j3.  serotina,  Host.,  in  Fckl.  Symb.,  2  N., 

75  (1873). 

Craterium  floriformc,  Schu.,  Ann.,  No.  2307. 
Alwisia  lombarda,  B.  and  Br.,  Ceylon  Fung.,  No.  784,  t.  2, 

f.  6  (1873). 


Trichia  purpurascens,  Nyl.  (figs.  183,  184). 

Sporangia  stipitate.  ovate  or  spherico-ovate,  solitary  or  gre- 
garious, purplish-red,  opaque;  stem  longitudinally  wrinkled, 
erect  or  cernuous,  rather  firm  and  thickish,  expanding  at  the 
base  into  a  small  hypothallus,  coloured  like  the  sporangium, 
which  it  equals  or  exceeds  in  length ;  mass  of  elaters  and  spores 
bright  ochraceous ;  elaters  rather  short,  fttsiform,  attenuated  into 
long,  tapering,  smooth,  straight  or  Jiexuous  tips,  simple  or  branched, 
about  5  ju,  thick  at  the  centre,  spirals  sharp-edged,  rather  pro- 
minent and  distant ;  spores  globose,  verruculose,  yellow,  9 — 11  /x 
diameter. 

Trichia  purpurascens,  Nyl.,  in  Sallsk.  pro  Faun,  et  Flor. 
Fenn.  notis.  Ny.,  Ser.  11.,  2,  p.  126;  Mass.,  Rev.  Trich.,  p.  332; 
Sacc.,  Syll.,  no.  1508 ;  Grev.,  v.,  18,  p.  27  (1889) ;  Karst.,  Myx. 
Fenn.,  iv.,  p.  137. 

On  fir-wood,  moss,  &c.     Britain  (Carlisle) ;  Finland. 

Requires  to  be  carefully  distinguished  from  some  forms  of 
Trichia  fragilis,  to  which  species  the  present  is  closely  allied. 
In  T.  purpurascens  the  spirals  are  sharp-edged,  in  T.  fragilis 
flattened.  The  inner  surface  of  the  sporangial  wall  is  studded 
with  amorphous,  organic  purple  particles ;  the  colouring  matter 
is  soluble  in  potassic  or  ammonic  hydrate. 


178  A  Monograph  of  the  Myxogastres. 

§  §  Maters  cylindrical. 

*  Spirals  not  spinulose. 

Trichia  varia,  Host.  (figs.  169—172). 

Sporangia  scattered  or  aggregated,  stipitate,  or  sessile  on  a 
narrow  or  broad  base,  turbinate  or  subglobose,  smooth,  yellow, 
dirty  ochraceous  or  tinged  with  olive;  stem  when  present 
blackish ;  mass  of  capillitium  and  spores  yellow ;  elaters  cylin- 
drical, 4 — 5  /x  thick,  spirals  distant,  prominent,  more  especially 
on  the  convex  side  when  curved,  rarely  branched,  tips  smooth, 
tapering,  straight  or  bent,  8 — 10  /u,  long,  sometimes  shorter;  the 
elaters  are  sometimes  swollen  at  the  commencement  of  the  taper- 
ing tips ;  spores  globose,  minutely  warted,  10 — 14  ju  diameter. 

Trichia  varia,  Host.,  Mon.,  p.  251,  figs.  191,  202,  208,  212, 
218,  237;  Cooke,  Myx.  Brit.,  p.  63,  figs.  191,  202,  208,  212, 
218,  237;  Schroeter,  p.  112;  Sacc.,  Syll.,  vii.,  1,  no.  1497; 
Raunk.,  Myx.  Dan.,  p.  65,  t.  3,  f.  14,  t.  4,  f.  3;  Mass.,  Mon. 
Trich.,  p.  9,  f.  17. 

Exsicc. — Jack,  Leiner  u.  Sitz.,  419 ;  Karst.,  Fung.  Fenn.,  288 
and  699;  Fuckel,  Fung.  Rhen.,  1431  and  1433;  Roum.,  Fung. 
Gall.,  1101  and  cent.  xiv.  1315 ;  Rab.,  Fung.  Eur.,  799,  2137 
and  2138;  Thum.,  Myc.  Univ.,  1999;  Sacc.,  Myc.  Van.,  794. 

On  bark,  wood,  moss,  &c.  Britain  (Kew,  Bishop's  Wood, 
Highgate ;  Weybridge,  Scarboro',  Carlisle,  Abergavenny,  Appin, 
N.  B.) ;  France  ;  Denmark  ;  Germany ;  Finland  ;  Italy ;  Bo- 
hemia ;  United  States ;  Tasmania ;  New  Zealand ;  Australia. 

A  variable  species,  sometimes  with  a  distinct,  dark-coloured 
stem,  at  others  quite  sessile  on  a  narrow  or  broad  base. 
Characterized  by  the  cylindrical  elaters  with  distant,  prominent 
spirals,  and  the  minutely  warted  spores.  In  the  specimen  in 
Rabenh.,  Fung.  Eur.,  n.  2137,  the  warts  show  a  slight  tendency 
to  become  elongated  and  flattened. 

(Rostafinski's  Synonyms.) 
a.  Trichia  varia,  v.  nigripes. 
Mucilago  minima,  Mich.,  t.  96,  f.  4  (1729). 


Trichia.  179 

Embolus  albissimus,  Hall,  Herb.,  p.  8  (1742). 

Emlolus,  Hall,  No.  2138  (1768). 

Mucor  pyriformis,  Scop.  Fl.  Cam.,  492  (1772). 

Mucor  pomiformis,  Leers  Fl.  Herb.,  1136  (1775). 

Mucor  lacteus,  Leers  Fl.  Herb.,  1132  (1775). 

Stemonitis  pyriformis,  Willd.  Fl.  Ber.,  409  (1787). 

Einbolus  lacteus,  Hoff.  Veg.  Or.,  t.  2,  f.  3  (1790). 

Sphaerocarpus  chrysospermus,  Bull.,  t.  417,  f.  4  (?). 

Trichia  olivacea,  Pers.  Obs.,  i.,  62  (1796). 

Arcyria  olivacea,  Kansch  (1797). 

Trichia  cylindrica,  Pers.  Obs.,  ii.,  33  (1799). 

Trichia  cordata,  Pers.  Obs.,  ii.,  33  (1799). 

Trichia  nigripes,  Pers.  Syn.,  178  (1801). 

a  pyriformis,  /3  cordata,  y  cylindrical,  o  vulgaris;  Fl.  Dan.,  t. 

1313,  f.   2;  Curr.,  Micr.  Journ.,  v.,  p.  128;  Cooke,  Hdbk., 

No.  1185. 
Trichia  cratcrioides,  Corda,  Ic.,  ii.,  f.  85  (1838). 

y  Trichia  varia,  v.  genuina. 

Lycogala  luteum,  Mich.,  t.  95,  f.  4  (1729). 

Mucor  qidntus,  Schff.,  296  (1770). 

Mucor  granulatus,  Schff.,  No.  286  (1770). 

Lycoperdon  vesiculosum,  Batsch.,  283  (1786). 

Sphaerocarpus  chrysospermus,  Bull.,  t.  417,  f.  4  (?). 

Stemonitis  varia,  Pers.  in  Gmel.  Sys.,  1470  (1791). 

Stemonitis  vesiculosa,  Gmel.  Sys.,  1470  (1791). 

Trichia  olivacea,  Pers.  Obs.,  1.,  62  (1796). 

Trichia  varia,  Pers.  Disp.,  p.  10  (1797) ;  Eng.  Fl.,  v.,  320 ; 

Cooke,  Hdbk.,  No.  1188. 

Lycoperdon  luridum,  Hedw.  Obs.,  t.  xi.  A  (1802). 
Trichia  favoginea,  Schum.  Saell.,  1455  (1803). 
Trichia  applanata,  Hedw.,  in  DC.  Organ,  t.  60,  f.  1  (1827). 

Trichia  nitens,  Fries. 

"Sporangia  sessile  on  a  broad  base,  crowded,  hemispherical, 
convex  above,  circular  or  angular  from  mutual  pressure,  prim- 


180  A  Monograph  of  the  Myxogastres. 

rose-yellow,  polished,  shining ;  mass  of  spores  and  elaters  dull- 
orange;  elaters  cylindrical,  14 — 16  ju,  thick,  rather  short,  ending 
in  a  very  short,  abrupt,  smooth  apiculus,  spirals  rather  pro- 
minent, distant,  without  spines;  spores  globose,  with  rather 
large,  rounded  warts,  14 — 16  /x  diameter. 

Trichia  nitens,  Fries,  MS.;  Mass.,  Mon.  Trich.,  p.  333,  fig.  11. 

(Specimen  from  Fries  in  Herb.  Berk.,  Kew,  and  named  by 
Fries  "  Trichia  nitens,  Fr.") 

On  wood.     Upsala. 

A  very  fine  large  species,  forming  dense  clusters  1  in.  and 
more  across.  Externally  resembling  Oligonema  nitens,  Host., 
distinct  from  T.  varia  in  the  polished,  shining  sporangia,  and 
the  thicker  elaters,  with  very  short,  abruptly  apiculate  tips. 

Trichia  inconspicua,  Rost. 

Sporangia  very  minute,  brown,  shining,  subspherical,  collected 
in  clusters  or  scattered  ;  hypothallus  absent ;  elaters  cylindrical, 
3 '3  /u  thick,  tips  pointed,  6 — 7  /x  long,  curved,  sometimes  with 
elongated  swellings  near  the  ends,  spirals  3 — 4,  but  slightly 
prominent,  rather  close;  spores  delicately  vcmiculose,  10 — 12  pt 
diameter. 

TricJiia  inconspicua,  Rost.,  Mon.,  p.  259 ;  Sacc.,  Syll.,  n.  1502  ; 
Mass.,  Mon.  Trich.,  p.  335. 

Germany;  France. 

Trichia  proximella,  Karst. 

Sporangia  substipitate  or  sessile,  circular  or  irregularly  angular 
from  pressure,  yellow  or  dingy  ochraceous,  polished ;  mass  of 
elaters  and  spores  ochraceous;  elaters  cylindrical,  sometimes 
branched,  ending  abruptly  in  a  short,  smooth,  straight  or  oblique 
apiculus,  4 — 5  p  thick,  spirals  prominent,  distant ;  spores  globose, 
rather  coarsely  wartcd,  12 — 14  p.  diameter. 

Trichia  proximella,  Karst.,  Myc.  Fenn.,  iv.,  p.  139;  Sacc., 
Syll.,  vii.,  1,  no.  1507;  Mass.,  Mon.  Trich.,  p.  335. 

On  wood.     Finland. 


Trichia.  181 

Allied  to  Trichia  nitens,  but  known  by  the  much  thinner 
elaters.  Forming  crowded  patches  of  considerable  extent. 

Trichia  advenula,  Mass.  (figs.  142 — 144). 

Sessile  on  a  broad  base,  densely  crowded  or  with  a  few  out- 
side scattered  sporangia,  circular,  or  subangular  from  mutual 
pressure,  rather  depressed,  primrose-yellmu,  shining ;  mass  of 
capillitium  and  spores  orange;  elaters  cylindrical,  4 — 5  p  thick, 
usually  inflated  at  one  or  loth  ends,  and  also  with  1 — 3  interstitial 
swollen  portions,  the  swollen  ends  terminating  in  a  thin,  straight, 
or  usually  flexuous  slender  spine,  15 — 20  p  long,  spirals  very 
close,  but  little  prominent,  almost  obsolete  on  the  swollen 
portions ;  spores  globose,  minutely  verruculose,  12 — 14  /x  diameter. 

Trichia  advenula,  Mass.,  Rev.  Trich.,  p.  336,  fig.  38. 

On  rotten  wood.     Glamis,  N.  B. 

Sporangia  '5  mm.  diameter,  forming  densely  crowded  patches 
1 — 2  inches  across.  Most  nearly  related  to  Trichia  minima, 
but  distinguished  by  the  long,  slender  tips  to  the  elaters,  and 
the  interstitial  swollen  parts ;  in  T.  minima  the  capillitium  and 
spores  are  pale  primrose  in  the  mass,  and  not  orange  as  in  the 
present  species. 

Trichia  nana,  Mass. 

Sporangia  scattered  or  aggregated  in  small  clusters,  rarely 
exceeding  '5  mm.  in  diameter,  sessile  on  a  broad  base,  smooth, 
pale  bright  ochre,  opaque,  wall  very  thin ;  mass  of  spores  and 
elaters  pale  primrose  yellow;  elaters  cylindrical,  short,  3 — 4  p. 
thick,  spirals  irregular,  very  distant,  prominent,  tips  abrupt,  not 
apiculate,  the  spirals  usually  running  quite  to  the  end;,  spores 
globose,  minutely  verruculose,  6 — 8  /x  diameter. 

Trichia  nana,  Mass.,  Mon  Trich.,  p.  336. 
(Type  in  Herb.,  Kew.) 

On  wood.     Westbrook,  Maine,  U.  S. 

Sporangia  hemispherical  or  sausage-shaped ;  by  far  the 
smallest  of  known  species,  resembling  superficially  T.  minima, 
from  which  it  differs  in  the  distant  and  prominent  spirals  of 


182  A  Monograph  of  the  Myxogastres. 

the  elaters ;  in  the  latter  character  it  agrees  with  T.  varia,  but 
differs  in  the  spirals  not  being  markedly  more  prominent  on 
the  convex  side  of  the  bent  elaters,  the  abrupt  tips,  and  smaller 
size  of  every  part.  The  elaters  are  rarely  more  than  200  JA 
long. 

Trichia  minima,  Mass. 

Sporangia  crowded,  sessile  on  a  broad  base,  circular,  elliptical, 
or  irregular  from  mutual  pressure,  pale  primrose-yellow ;  mass 
of  elaters  and  spores  same  colour;  elaters  cylindrical,  5 — 7  /* 
thick,  ending  in  smooth,  tapering  points  about  8 — 10  /u  long, 
spirals  thin,  rather  distant,  not  prominent,  without  spines; 
spores  globose,  very  minutely  warted,  10  p.  diameter. 

Trichia  minima,  Mass.,  Rev.  Trich.,  p.  336,  fig.  18. 

On  wood.     Britain  (Oldham). 

Sporangia  '5  mm.  diameter,  forming  dense  clusters.  Allied 
to  T.  scalra,  but  distinct  in  the  smaller  size  of  every  part,  and 
in  the  absence  of  spines  on  the  spirals  of  the  elaters. 

Trichia  contorta,  Host. 

Plasmodiocarp  creeping,  flexuous,  subcompressed,  umber  or  bay- 
brmvn ;  mass  of  elaters  and  spores  yellow ;  elaters  2'5 — 3'5  p, 
cylindrical,  tips  usually  swollen  and  terminated  by  a  long, 
slender  spine;  there  is  sometimes  an  interstitial  swelling ;  spirals 
indistinct;  spores  globose,  minutely  warted,  12 — 15  p.  diameter. 

Trichia  contorta,  Host.,  Mon.,  p.  259,  f.  229 ;  Cooke,  Myx. 
Brit,  f.  229;  Schroeter,  p.  113;  Sacc.,  SylL,  vol.  vii.,  pt.  I., 
no.  1503;  Raunk.,  Myx.  Dan.,  p.  68,  t.  3,  f.  13;  Mass.,  Rev. 
Trich.,  p.  337. 

On  rotten  wood.  Britain ;  Germany ;  France ;  Denmark  ; 
Sweden;  Australia. 

I  have  seen  no  specimen  of  the  present  species,  which  is 
said  to  have  occurred  in  Britain.  The  cylindrico-compressed 
flexuous  plasmodiocarp  of  a  dark  brown  colour,  and  the  elaters 
with  long,  spine-like  tips  and  indistinct  spirals  mark  the  species. 
The  elaters  appear  to  agree  in  structure  with  those  of  Trichia 


Trichia.  183 

advenula,  but  the  latter  differs  in  every  other  character.     The 
figure  of  the  elater  is  copied  from  Rostafinski. 

(Rostafinski's  Synonyms.) 

Lycogala  contortum,  Dit.,  in  Sturm.  Dent.  Cr.  FL,  t.  5  (1817). 
Trichia  reticulata,  b.,  Grev.  Sc.  Cr.  Fl.,  t.  266  (1827). 
Perichaena  contorta,  Fr.,  S.  M.,  iii.,  192  (1829). 
Licea  cmitorta,  Wallr.,  Fl.  Cr.  Germ.,  n.  2110  (1833). 
Hemitrichia   contorta,  Rost.,  ap   Fckl.  Syn.,  2,  Nach.,  p.   75 
(1873). 

Trichia  subfusca,  Rex. 

Sporangia  stipitate,  simple,  very  rarely  double  or  triple, 
generally  exactly  spherical,  exceptionally  globose-turbinate, 
about  £ — I  of  a  mm.  in  diameter.  Colour  of  sporangia,  a  dull 
tawny  brown  above,  shading  to  a  dark  brown  at  the  base. 
Stipes  uniform  in  diameter,  and  equal  in  height  to  the  diameter 
of  the  sporangium,  brown  or  brownish-black  in  colour,  longi- 
tudinally rugose  and  separated  from  the  cavity  of  the  sporangia 
by  the  internal  layer  of  the  sporangium  wall.  Spores  and 
capillitium  concolourous,  of  a  bright  yellow  colour  in  mass/ 

Elaters  cylindrical  3'5 — 4  p.  in  diameter,  terminating  generally 
in  a  smooth  elongated  end  10 — 12  /A  long,  which  is  either  sharp 
or  blunt,  straight  or  curved  to  one  side.  Spirals  four  in 
number,  non-spinulose,  winding  more  or  less  unevenly,  with 
interspaces  as  wide  or  wider  than  the  thickness  of  the  spirals. 
Spores  11*5 — 12'5  ^  in  diameter,  delicately  but  distinctly  wfirted. 

Adirondack  Mts.,  New  York. 

This  Trichia  is  more  nearly  allied  to  some  of  the  forms  of 
Tr.  fragilis  than  to  any  other  species.  There  seem,  however, 
to  be  sufficiently  well-marked  specific  differences.  In  addition 
to  the  different  external  characters,  the  elaters  are  undoubtedly 
cylindrical  in  a  majority  of  the  specimens.  Occasionally 
individual  sporangia  are  found  in  which  the  elaters  are  a  little 
thicker  in  the  centre,  narrowing  slightly  toward  the  ends,  but 
even  these  exceptions  terminate  abruptly  in  the  same  form  of 
ends  as  the  true  cylindrical  elaters.  Occasionally  also,  as  with 


184  A  Monograph  of  the  Myxogastres. 

all  Trichias,  sporangia  will  be  found  in  which  the  elaters  are 
branched  or  distorted,  or  have  a  tendency  to  bulbous  expansions 
near  the  ends  or  in  their  course,  but  these  are  abnormal  and 
exceptional.  The  specimens  distributed  under  this-  number 
(2495)  were  collected  in  August  1889,  with  a  few  exceptions. 
The  unusually  wet  season  had  the  effect  of  rendering  many  of 
them  much  darker  in  colour  than  is  indicated  in  the  foregoing 
specific  diagnosis,  which  was  drawn  from  types  developed  and 
collected  under  the  most  favourable  conditions.  (Rex.) 

Trichia  subfusca,  Rex,  Proc.  Acad.  Sci.  Phil.,  1890,  p.  192. 

Exsicc.  —  Ellis  and  Everh.,  N.  Amer.  Fung.,  n.  2495. 

Trichia  reniformis,  Peck. 

Sporangia  gregarious  or  clustered,  sessile,  subglobose  or  reni- 
form,  small,  brown  ;  flocci  few,  short,  sparingly  branched  ;  spores 
globose,  minutely  echinulate,  yellow-ochre,  sometimes  tinged 
with  green,  '0005  in.  in  diameter  (  =  12  —  13  p}. 

Peck,  26th  Report  of  the  State  Museum,  New  York,  p.  76  ; 
Sacc.,  Syll.,  no.  1510;  Mass.,  Rev.  Trich.,  p.  337. 

United  States. 

I  am  not  acquainted  with  the  present  species,  and  the  inform- 
ation given  by  Peck  is  too  scanty  to  insure  future  identification. 


§  §  Spirals  sin 
Trichia  erecta,  Rex. 

Sporangia  stipitate,  usually  simple,  occasionally  double  or 
triple  and  very  rarely  fasciculate,  with  a  cluster  'of  6  —  8  on  a 
single  stipe.  Single  sporangia  globose  or  globose-turbinate 
£  —  §  of  a  mm.  in  the  transverse  diameter. 

Colour  of  sporangia  a  dark  nut-brown,  which  is  uniform 
below,  but  checkered  or  broken  above  into  irregular  patches 
with  broad  septa  of  a  bright  yellow  colour. 

Stipes  about  1  mm.  in  height,  rough  or  granular  on  the 
surface,  quite  thick  and  equal  throughout  their  length,  and 
dark  brown  in  colour.  Spores  and  capillitium  concolourous, 
being  a  bright  yellow  colour  in  mass. 


Trichia,  185 

Elaters  cylindrical,  375 — 4  /x  in  diameter,  terminating  in 
short,  sharp,  smooth  ends  4 — 6  /*  long.  Elater  spirals  4  in. 
number,  spinulose  with  numerous  irregular  spines,  coarse,  wind- 
ing irregularly.  Adjoining  spirals  often  united  with  each  other 
by  interspiral  branches  which  run  either  longitudinally  or 
obliquely  in  the  direction  of  the  spirals. 

Spores  12 — 13  //.  in  diameter,  delicately  warted  when  examined 
under  a  high  power  lens. 

Shawangunk  and  Adirondack  Mts.,  N.  Y. 

This  Trichia  is  conspicuous  for  the  checkering  or  areolation 
of  the  upper  surface  in  the  perfectly  mature  sporangia,  showing 
a  sharp  contrast  between  the  adjoining  nut  brown  and  bright 
yellow  colours.  In  this  respect  it  resembles  Tr.  fragilis,  which 
sometimes  exhibits  in  its  var.  lateritia  and  also  in  one  of  its 
simple  forms,  a  dull  mottling  of  the  colour  of  the  upper  surface 
of  the  sporangia. 

Trichia  erecta,  Rex,  Proc.  Acad.  Sci.  Phil.,  1890,  p.  193. 

Exsicc. — Ellis  and  Everh.,  N.  Amer.  Fung.,  Ser.  II.,  n.  2496. 

Trichia  Decaisneana,  De  Bary. 

Sporangia  pyriform,  brownish  flesh-colour,  shining,  stipitate ; 
stem  red,  then  blackish-brown,  very  much  plicate,  equal ;  mass 
of  capillitium  and  spores  yellowish  flesh-colour ;  inclosed  in  an 
inner  membrane  connate  with  the  outer  wall  of  the  sporangium ; 
elaters  cylindrical,  inflated  near  the  tips  and  ending  in  smooth, 
tapering,  curved  spines  3 — 6  times  as  long  as  elater,  spirals  5 — 6, 
flcxuous,  spinulose,  in  some  cases  parts  of  the  elaters  have  the 
spirals  in  the  form  of  distant  ridges  or  wrinkles ;  spores  delicately 
warted,  10 — 11  /u.  diameter. 

Trichia  Decaisneana,  De  Bary,  in  Host.,  Mon.,  p.  250,  figs. 
219,  220;  Schroeter,  p.  112;  Cooke,  Myx.  Brit.,  figs.  219,  220; 
Mass.,  Mon.  Trich,  p.  338. 

On  Jungermannia.     Germany. 

According  to  Schroeter  the  spores  measure  from  13 — 14  p, 
the  elaters  have  4  spirals,  and  are  4 — 5  mm.  thick.  As  these 
measurements  differ  from  those  given  by  the  author  of  the 


186          A  Monograph  of  the  Myxogastres. 

species,  the  question  that  naturally  suggests  itself  is,  has 
Schroeter  had  the  true  species  in  view?  In  Rostafinski's 
Monograph,  fig.  220,  the  spirals  of  the  elaters  are  represented 
as  broad  and  flat,  no  spines  are  shown  in  the  figure. 

C.  Spores  with  elongated,  raised,  flat  bands  not  combined  to 
form  a  network. 

§  Sands  not  punctate. 
Trichia  Balfourii,  Mass. 

Sporangia  sessile,  base  broad  or  narrowed,  crowded,  hemi- 
spherical or  angular  from  mutual  pressure,  clear  primrose-yellow ; 
mass  of  elaters  and  spores  deeper  and  duller  yellow;  elaters 
cylindrical,  9 — 10  fx  thick,  sometimes  swollen  near  the  apex, 
which  is  abruptly  narrowed  into  from  1 — 3  short,  smooth  spines, 
generally  more  or  less  bent,  spirals  thin,  not  prominent,  rather 
distant,  furnished  with  scattered,  rudimentary  spines;  spores 
globose,  with  a  few  broad,  slightly  raised,  flat  lands,  not  punctate, 
nor  combined  in  a  reticulate  manner ;  16 — 18  /*  diameter. 

Trichia  Balfourii,  Mass.,  Rev.  Trich.,  p.  339,  fig.  4. 
(Type  in  Herb.,  Kew.) 

On  wood.     Cape  of  Good  Hope. 

Closely  allied  to  T.  Jackii,  but  known  by  the  absence  of 
punctiform  markings  on  the  raised  bands  of  the  spores.  In 
T.  verrucosa  the  bands  on  the  spores  are  much  shorter  and 
more  numerous,  the  elaters  of  the  last-named  species  also  differ 
in  the  crowded  spirals  without  spines  and  the  simple  stout 
tips. 

Trichia  snlphurea,  Mass. 

Sporangia  densely  crowded,  subdepressed,  circular,  angular, 
or  reniform  in  outline,  pale  yellow,  smooth,  mass  of  elaters  and 
spores  pale  lemon-yellow;  elaters  cylindrical,  simple,  or  fre- 
quently branched,  especially  near  the  tips,  9 — 10  jw.  thick,  spirals 
crowded,  not  very  prominent,  tips  not  thickened,  smooth,  acute, 
straight  or  slightly  curved,  10 — 14  p.  long;  spores  globose,  with 
numerous  short,  slightly  raised,  straight  or  crescent-shaped  flat 
lands,  10 — 14  /x  diameter. 


Trichia.  187 

Trichia  sulphurca,  Mass.,  -Rev.  Trich.,  p.  339,  fig.  3. 
(Type  in  Herb.  Berk.,  Kew,  n.  10906.) 

On  wood.  Ceylon. 

A  very  fine,  large  species  with  sporangia  up  to  1  mm. 
diameter,  forming  densely  crowded  patches  of  considerable  size. 
Characterized  by  the  thick  cylindrical  elaters  with  crowded 
spirals,  and  the  numerous  short  flat  bands  on  the  spores,  which 
look  like  warts  under  a  low  power.  Most  nearly  allied  to 
T.  nitens,  but  the  spores  of  the  latter  have  true  rounded  warts, 
and  the  spirals  on  the  elaters  are  further  apart. 

§  Sands  with  minute  depressions. 
Trichia  abrupta,  Cooke. 

Sporangia  densely  gregarious,  sessile  on  a  broad  base,  hypo- 
thallus  firm,  usually  angular  from  mutual  pressure,  pale  yellow ; 
mass  of  elaters  and  spores  orange ;  elaters  cylindrical,  7 — 9  /x 
diameter,  spirals  rather  distant,  not  prominent,  with  scattered, 
rudimentary  spinules,  tips  usually  smooth  and  equal  in  thick- 
ness to  elater  for  a  length  of  8 — 10  p,  then  terminating  abruptly 
in  two  or  three  thin,  straight  or  curved  spines  8 — 10  /^  long; 
spores  globose,  with  numerous  slightly  raised,  straight  or  curved 
short  lands  of  irregular  width,  furnished  with  minute,  scattered 
pits,  10 — 16- ju,  diameter. 

Trichia   abrupta,   Cooke,    Ann.    Lye.   Nat.    Hist.,  N.   York., 
vol.  xi.,  No.  12,  p.  404;  Cooke,  Myx.  Brit.,  fig.  256;  Mass.,  Mon. 
Trich.,  p.  16,  f.  2;  Sacc.,  Syll.,  vii.,  1,  n.  1511. 
(Type  in  Herb.,  Kew.) 

On  wood.  Britain  (Ken  Wood,  Hampstead ;  Kew,  Carlisle) ; 
United  States. 

Allied  to  Trichia  Jaclrii,  but  distinguished  by  the  more 
numerous  and  shorter  bands  on  the  spores  and  the  different 
elaters;  separated  also  from  T.  intermedia  by  the  numerous 
hands  on  the  spores  not  anastomosing,  and  by  the  absence  of 
thin  ridges  parallel  to  the  long  axis  of  the  elaters. 


188  A  Monograph  of  the  Myxogastres. 

Trichia  Jackii,  Rost. 

Sporangia  usually  crowded,  sessile  on  a  narrow  or  broad  base, 
hypothallus  well-developed,  circular,  angular,  or  elliptical  in 
shape,  dull  yellow;  mass  of  elaters  and  spores  yellow;  elaters 
cylindrical,  5 — 7  n  thick,  tips  smooth,  acute,  straight  or  a  little 
bent,  spirals  not  very  prominent,  distant,  sometimes  with 
rudimentary  spinules;  spores  globose,  with  scattered,  slightly 
elevated,  irregular,  broad  fiat  bands,  slightly  curved  or  sinuous, 
not  combined  to  form  a  network,  surface  of  bands  with  minute 
pits,  12 — 15  /x  diameter. 

Trichia  Jackii,  Rost.,  Mon.,  p.  258,  f.  242 ;  Cooke,  Myx.  Brit., 
f.  242;  Schroeter,  p.  113;  Sacc.,  Syll.,  vii.  1,  no.  1500;  Raunk., 
Myx.  Dan.,  p.  69,  t  4,  f.  5 ;  Mass.,  Mon.  Trich.,  p.  16,  f.  5. 

On  wood  and  bark.  Britain  (Brighton,  Highgate,  Castle 
Howard,  Yorks ;  Glainis,  N.  B.) ;  Germany  ;  Italy ;  Switzerland  ; 
Denmark. 

Allied  to  Trichia  abrupta,  but  distinguished  by  the  fewer 
and  longer  bands  on  the  epispore,  and  the  undivided  tips  of 
the  elaters. 

Trichia  intermedia,  Mass.  (figs.  180 — 182). 

Sporangia  subglobose,  sessile  on  a  broad  base,  crowded,  often 
irregular  from  mutual  pressure,  smooth,  shining,  bright  ochre ; 
mass  of  spores  and  capillitium  clear  pale  chrome-yellow ;  threads 
simple,  cylindrical,  8 — 10  p  thick,  ending  rather  abruptly  in  a 
short,  smooth  apiculus,  spirals  rather  close,  not  prominent, 
sometimes  branched,  with  a  few  rudimentary  scattered  spinules, 
and  connected  by  thinner  raised  bands  running  more  or  less 
parallel  to  the  long  axis  of  the  elater;  spores  globose,  with  a 
few  distant  raised  flat  flexuous  bands  that  anastomose  to  form 
an  irregular  network,  often  leaving  free  ends,  surface  of  bands 
with  minute  depressions  usually  arranged  in  a  single  row,  9 — 11  p 
diameter. 

Trichia  intermedia,  Mass.,  Rev.  Trich.,  p.  341,  pi.  v.,  fig.  1. 
(Type  in  Herb.,  Kew.) 

On  trunks.     Scarborough,  Epping  Forest ;  Finland. 


Trichia.  189 

The  spores  somewhat  resemble  those  of  Trichia  Jackii,  Host., 
but  are  smaller ;  the  raised  bands  are  narrower  and  anastomose 
irregularly,  and  the  minute  depressions  more  constantly  arranged 
in  a  single  row.  Agreeing  with  Trichia  chrysospcrma,  Host.,  in 
having  the  spirals  on  the  elaters  connected  by  ridges,  but  at 
once  distinguished  by  the  bands  on  the  spores  being  furnished 
with  minute  depressions.  I  was  at  one  time  led  to  believe, 
from  examination  of  a  specimen  supposed  to  be  authentic, 
communicated  by  Mr.  H.  Wingate,  of  Philadelphia,  who  received 
it  from  the  author,  that  the  present  species  was  synonymous 
with  Trichia  proximella,  Karst.,  but  a  second  authentic  speci- 
men of  the  last-named  species  agrees  with  the  characters  given 
by  Karsten,  hence  T.  intermedia  will  remain  as  a  distinct  species. 

Var.  persimilis,  elaters  very  much  and  irregularly  branched, 
Ranches  usually  short,  and  as  thick  as  the  elaters;  rest  as  in 
typical  form. 

Trichia  persimilis,  Karst.,  in  Not.  Sallsk.  pro  Faun,  et  Flor.  ( 
Fenn.,   Forh.,  1868,  ix.,  p.  353;   Karst.,  Myx.  Fenn.,  p.  139; 
Sacc.,  Syll.,  n.  1506 ;  Mass.,  Rev.  Trich.,  p.  338. 

On  wood.     Finland. 

An  authentic  specimen  from  the  author  proves  the  present 
form  to  be  a  variety,  or  more  probably  an  abnormal  form,  of 
the  present  species. 

D.     Spwes  with  raised  flat  bands  combined  to  form  a  network. 

*  Sands  plain. 
Trichia  chrysosperma,  Rost. 

Sporangia  crowded  or  scattered,  sessile,  base  broad  or  narrow, 
yellow  or  ochraceous  cinnamon;  mass  of  elaters  and  spores 
bright  primrose-yellow;  elaters  cylindrical,  5 — 7  /x  thick,  tips 
short,  smooth,  straight  or  curved,  spirals  not  very  prominent, 
rather  distant,  sometimes  with  a  few  scattered  spinules,  con- 
nected by  thin  ridges  running  parallel  to  the  long  axis  of  the 
elater;  spores  globose,  with  deep,  narrow  raised  bands  combined 
to  form  an  irregular  polygonal  network;  surface  of  bands  not 
punctate,  12 — 14  /*  diameter. 


190  A  Monograph  of  the  Myxogastres. 

Trichia  chrysosperma,  Rost.,  Mon.,  p.  255,  figs.  209,  213,  240  ; 
Cooke,  Myx.  Brit.,  p.  65,  figs.  209,  213,  240;  Schroeter,  p.  113; 
Sacc.,  SylL,  vii.,  1,  n.  1498;  Raunk.,  Myx.  Dan.,  p.  69,  t.  4,  f.  1 ; 
Mass.,  Mon.  Trich.,  p.  17,  f.  10. 

Exsicc—  Rab.,  Fung.  Eur.,  n.  567. 

On  wood,  bark,  moss,  &c.     Britain  (Highgate) ;  Germany. 

A  rare  species,  characterized  by  the  deep  narrow  ridges 
forming  a  network  on  the  epispore  and  the  surface  of  the  bands 
not  being  punctate,  and  by  the  narrow,  raised  lines  running 
parallel  to  the  long  axis  of  the  elaters. 

It  is  amazing  how  Rostafinski  managed  to  give  so  many 
synonyms  for  the  present  species,  considering  that  the  specific 
characters  require  for  their  elucidation  at  least  a  TVth  oil 
immersion  objective,  yet  this  is  done,  and  without  any  query 
as  to  their  accuracy,  although  presumably  not  many  of  the 
types,  if  indeed  any,  were  forthcoming. 

(Rostafinski's  Synonyms.) 

Lycflpcrdon  grcgarium,  Retz.  Obs.,  i.,  33  (1769). 

Lycoperdon  favogineum,  Batsch.,  f.  173  (1786). 

Stcmonitis  pyrtformis,  Roth.  Fl.  Germ.,  i.,  548  (1788). 

fyhaerocarpus  chrysospcrmns,  Bull.,  t.  417,  f.  4  (1791). 

Stemonitis  favoginca,  Gmel.  Sys.,  1470  (1791). 

Trichia  nitcns,  Pers.  Obs.,  i.,  62  (1796). 

Trichia  favoginea,  Pers.  Disp.,  10  (1797). 

Trichia  chrysosperma,  DC.  Fl.  Fr.,  673  (1805) ;  Eng.  FL,  v., 

320;  Cooke,  Hdbk.,  No.  1187;  Fung.  Britt.,  ii.,  524,  527. 
Trichia  turUnata,  Purt.  Brit.,  ii.,  1115  (1817). 
Clathroides  fluvcsccns,  HalL  t.  1,  f.  7  (1742). 
Trichia,  Hall,  2168,  t.  48,  f.  7  (1768). 
Lycoperdon  aggregatum,  Retz.  Fl.  Scan.,  1627  (1769). 
Lycoperdon  epiphyllum,  Light.  FL  Sc.,  1069  (1777). 
Clathrus  turUnatus,  Huds.  Fl.  Ang.,  632  (1778) ;  Bolt.,  t.  94, 

f.  3. 

Trichia  pyriformis,  Vill.  Fl.  Dauph.,  1060  (1789). 
Stemonitis  pyrif wtnis,  Pers.,  in  Gmel.  Sys.,  1468  (1791). 


Trichia.  191 

Trichia  turbinata,  With.  Arr.,  iv.,  480  (1792) ;    Sow.,  t.  85 ; 

Eng.  Fl.,  v.,  320;  Cooke,  Hdbk.,  1186. 
Trichia  pyriformis,  Pers.  Disp.,  10  (1797). 
Trichia  olivacea,  Pers.  Obs.,  i.,  62  (1796),  in  part. 
Trickia  ovata,  Pers.  Obs.,  ii.,  35  (1796) ;  Schum.  Saell.,  1454 ; 

Fl.  Dan.,  t.  1313,  f.  1. 
Trichia  vulgaris,  Pers.  Obs.,  ii.,  32  (1799). 
Physarum  contextum,  Spr.  Sys.,  ix.,  20  (1817). 

Trichia  verrucosa,  Berk. 

Sporangia  pyriform,  brown  or  chestnut,  shining,  passing  down- 
wards into  a  long,  slender  stem,  simple  or  botryoid,  scattered, 
springing  from  a  thick,  broadly  effused  Uypoihallus ;  mass  of 
capillitium  and  spores  ochraceous;  threads  of  capillitium  not 
branched,  cylindrical,  8 — 10  //.  thick,  with  smooth,  tapering  tips 
of  variable  length,  and  straight  or  curved,  spirals  close,  thin, 
not  prominent ;  spores  globose,  with  narrow,  raised  fiat  lands 
combined  into  a  few  large,  irregular,  polygonal  meshes,  bands  not 
punctate,  14 — 16  JJL  diameter. 

Trichia  verrucosa,  Berk.,  Flor.  Tasm.,  p.  269 ;  Mass.,  Rev. 
Trich.,  p.  343,  fig.  9. 

(Type  in  Herb.  Berk.,  Kew,  n.  10906.) 

On  wood.     Tasmania. 

Differs  from  T.  chrysosperma  and  T.  dictyospora  in  the  scat- 
tered sporangia  springing  from  a  stout  hypothallus,  and  also 
in  the  characters  of  the  elaters  and  spores.  From  2 — 3  mm. 
high.  Usually  not  more  than  one  complete  polygon  is  present 
on  a  hemisphere  of  the  spore. 

Trichia  Kalbreyeri,  Mass. 

Sporangia  crowded,  sessile,  often  irregular  from  mutual 
pressure,  pale  yellow,  smooth ;  mass  of  capillitium  and  spores 
pale  primrose-yellow;  threads  of  capillitium  cylindrical,  9 — 10 p 
thick,  with  short,  smooth,  tapering  ends,  spirals  not  prominent, 
thin,  close ;  spores  globose,  with  raised,  narrow  flat  bands  form- 
ing an  irregular,  polygonal  network,  bands  not  punctate,  11 — 14  p 
diameter. 


192  A  Monograph  of  the  Myxogastres. 

Trichia  Kalbreyeri,  Mass.,  Rev.  Trich.,  p.  344,  fig.  8. 

On  wood  and  living  leaves.     New  Granada. 

Externally  resembling  T.  ckrysosperma,  but  known  by  the 
absence  of  ridges  between  the  spirals,  and  the  bands  forming 
more  numerous  polygons,  2 — 3  complete  ones  being  present  on 
a  hemisphere  of  the  spore. 

TricMa  scabra,  Host. 

Sporangia  gregarious  or  scattered,  attached  by  a  broad  base 
to  a'hypothallus,  circular  or  irregular  from  mutual  pressure, 
varying  from  pale  yellow,  through  dirty  orange  to  brown ;  mass 
of  elaters  and  spores  clear  orange ;  elaters  cylindrical,  6 — 8  JM 
thick,  ending  in  smooth,  acute,  straight  or  slightly  bent  tips 
7 — 10  M  long,  spirals  not  very  prominent,  rather  distant,  hearing 
numerous  short,  acute,  straight  spines;  spores  globose,  covered 
with  a  very  fine  network  of  raised  lines,  8 — 12  /u,  diameter. 

Trichia  scabra,  Host.,  Mon.,  p.  258,  figs.  214—217,  239; 
Cooke,  Myx.  Brit.,  figs.  214—217,  239;  Mass.,  Mon.  Trich., 
p.  13,  fig.  13  (spore  incorrectly  drawn  with  a  warted  instead 
of  a  very  delicately  reticulated  epispore);  Schroeter,  p.  113; 
Sacc.  Syll.,  vii.,  n.  1500 ;  Raunk.,  Myx.  Dan.,  p.  68,  t  4,  f.  2. 

Trichia  scabra,  v.  aurea,  Cke.,  Myx.,  U.  States,  Ann.  Lye. 
Nat.  Hist.,  N.  York.,  v.  xi.,  No.  12,  p.  403. 

Exsicc—  Roum.,  Fung.  Gall.,  1005;  Ellis  and  Everh.,  N. 
Amer.  Fung.,  2100. 

On  wood,  moss,  &c.  Britain  (Queen's  Cottage  Grounds,  Kew, 
Birmingham ;  Taunton,  Notts ;  Scarboro' ;  Carlisle) ;  France ; 
Germany ;  Denmark  ;  U.  States ;  Ceylon ;  Australia. 

Var.  analogia.  Spores  on  spirals  of  elaters  rudimentary  or 
absent. 

Cke.,  Myx.,  U.  States,  Ann.  Lye.  Nat.  Hist.,  N.  York,  vol.  xi., 
No.  12,  p.  403. 

Britain  (Carlisle) ;  U.  States. 

Trichia  fallax,  Rost. 

Sporangia  pyriforaa,  stipitate  or  subsessile,  ochraceous,  some- 
times tinged  olive,  dull  or  shining;  stem  dark,  usually  longi- 


Trichia.  193 

tudinally  wrinkled,  filled  with  large,  globose,  subangular  cells 
which  become  smaller  upwards  and  pass  into  normal  spores; 
elaters  pyriform,  simple  or  branched,  5 — 6  /*  thick,  ending  in 
long,  smooth,  tapering  tips,  spirals  rather  close,  thin,  not  pro- 
minent; spores  globose,  epispore,  covered  with  a  very  fine, 
irregular  network,  10 — 12  /*  diameter. 

Trichia  fallax,  Rost.,  Mon.,  p.  243,  figs.  211,  221,  222,  233— 
236;  Cke.,  Myx.  Brit,  p.  61,  figs.  211,  222,  233—236;  Sacc., 
SylL,  vii.,  1,  n.  1493;  Mass.,  Mon.  Trich.,  p.  8,  figs.  21  and 
27  (the  spores  incorrectly  represented  as  warted  instead  of  being 
delicately  reticulated);  Schrceter,  p.  Ill;  Raunk.,  Myx.  Dan., 
p.  66,  t.  4,  f.  4. 

Exsicc. — Fuckel,  Fung.  Rhen.,  1435 ;  Jack,  Leiner  u.  Sitz., 
420;  Rab.,  Fung.  Eur.,  1666;  Mong.  and  Nest.,  284;  Roum., 
Fung.  Sel.  Gall,  42. 

On  rotten  wood.  Britain  (Bristol,  Kew,  King's  Cliffe, 
Norths ;  Carlisle,  Scarboi'o',  Linlithgow,  Glamis,  N.  B.)  ;  France  ; 
Germany ;  Switzerland  ;  Denmark ;  United  States ;  Cuba ; 
Venezuela. 

Distinctly  marked  amongst  the  species  with  fusiform  elaters 
by  the  stem  being  filled  with  large  cells,  and  the  very  delicately 
and  minutely  reticulated  spores. 

(Rostafinski's  Synonyms.) 

Mucor  capitulis  pyriformis,  Fl.  Dan.,  t.  647,'  f.  2  (1770). 

Mucor  miniatus,  Jacq.  Misc.,  t.  299  (1778). 

Stemonitis  Jlavcscens,  Schrank.,  p.  19  (1792). 

Lycoperdon  aggregation,  Liljeb.  Fl.  Scan.,  460  (1792). 

Lycoperdon  pusillum;  Hedw.  Abh.,  t.  3,  f.  2  (1793). 

Trichia  fallax,  Pers.  Obs.,  iii.,  t.  4,  5  (1797);  Nees,  f.  113; 

Corda  Ic.,  iv.,  97;  Eng.  Fl.,  v.,  319;  Cooke,  Hdbk.,  1182. 
Physarum  pyriforme,  Schum.  Saell.,  1448  (1803). 
Trichia  mrcscens,  Schum.  Saell.,  1459  (1803). 
Trichia  cerina,  Ditm.,  t.  25  (1817) ;  Curr.  Micr.  Journ.,  v., 

p.  127;  Cooke,  Hdbk.,  No.  1184. 
Trichia  fuha,  Purt.  Mid.  Fl,  1534  (1817). 
Trichia  clavata,  Wigand,  No.  3  (1863). 


194  A  Monograph  of  the  ^Myxogastres. 

Trichia  furcata,  Wigand,  No.  4  (1863). 
Arcyria  elongata,  Bong.  Herb. 

*  Bands  with  minute  depressions  on  the  surface. 
Trichia  affinis,  De  Bary. 

Sporangia  clustered,  circular  or  elliptical,  sessile  on  a  broad 
base,  seated  on  a  distinct  hypothallus,  clear  pale  yellow ;  mass 
of  elaters  and  spores  pale  yellow;  elaters  cylindrical,  4 — 6  fi 
thick,  ending  in  short,  tapering,  smooth  tips,  spirals  thin,  rather 
close,  not  prominent,  sometimes  with  short  spinules;  spores 
globose,  with  broad,  slightly  raised  flat  bands  combined  into  a 
network,  or  sometimes  with  free  ends,  surface  of  bands  pitted, 
10 — 14  p.  diameter. 

Trichia  affinis,  Host.,  Mon.,  p.  257,  f.  241 ;  Cke.,  Myx.  Brit, 
f.  241 ;  Schroeter,  p.  113;  Sacc.,  Syll.,  n.  1499  (?);  Mass.,  Mon. 
Trich.,  p.  20,  f.  7. 

On  wood,  twigs,  moss,  &c.  Britain  (Epping,  Brandon, 
Scarboro',  Castle  Howard,  Yorks ;  Carlisle,  Appin,  N.  B.) ; 
Europe  ;  United  States ;  Cuba ;  Australia ;  Tasmania. 

Superficially  resembling  T.  chrysosperma,  distinguished  by  the 
presence  of  pits  on  the  raised  bands  of  the  epispore,  and  the 
absence  of  raised  ridges  running  parallel  to  the  long  axis  of 
the  elater. 

Trichia  superba,  Mass. 

Botryoid,  rarely .  simple.  Sporangia  broadly  obovate,  pale 
yellow,  common  stem  more  or  less  wrinkled  longitudinally, 
often  twisted,  colour  of  the  sporangium  above,  becoming  orange 
downwards,  springing  from  a  well-developed  hypothallus ;  mass 
of  capillitium  and  spores  deep  yellow ;  elaters  simple,  cylindrical, 
9 — 11  fx  thick,  with  abruptly  tapering,  smooth,  short  ends,  often 
more  or  less  bent,  spirals  close,  thin,  but  little  prominent; 
spores  globose,  with  raised  flat  bands  combined  into  a  polygonal 
network;  bands  with  a  row  of  minute  depressions,  17 — 20  f* 
diameter. 

Trichia  superba,  Mass.,  Rev.  Trich.,  p.  345  f.  6. 

\ 


Trichia.  195 

(Type  in  Herb.,  Kew.) 

On  mosses  and  logs.     New  Zealand. 

Scattered,  3 — 4  mm.  high,  stem  about  equal  in  length  to 
the  sporangium,  thin  and  weak,  so  that  the  sporangia  are  often 
drooping.  Allied  to  T.  affinis,  but  distinct  in  the  much  larger 
spores,  with  smaller  and  more  numerous  reticulations,  and  the 
stipitate,  obovate  sporangia  usually  arranged  in  a  botryoid 
manner. 

Trichia  Kickxii,  Rost. 

Sporangia  spherical,  sessile,  in  several  crmvded  strata,  forming 
cakes  some  mm.  high,  and  sometimes  cm.  long  and  broad;  walls 
of  single  sporangia  rigid,  flesh-colour,  polished  and  shining; 
elaters  simple,  either  flexuous  or  curved  into  circles,  4'2  p  thick, 
spirals  two,  not  very  prominent ;  tips  obtuse ;  spores  with  an 
irregular  network,  14 — 15  \i.  diameter. 

Trichia  Kickxii,  Rost.,  Mon.  App.,  p.  40 ;  Sacc.,  Syll.,  vii.,  1, 
n.  1504 ;  Mass.,  Rev.  Trich.,  p.  345. 

I  have  no  knowledge  of  the  present  species  except  from 
Rostafinski's  diagnosis,  which  strongly  suggests  to  my  mind  a 
species  closely  allied  to  Oligonema  nitens. 

Trichia  pusilla,  Schroeter. 

Sporangia  subglobose,  very  small,  0'3 — 0'5  mm.  diameter, 
gregarious,  scattered  or  collected  in  clusters,  golden  or  brownish- 
yellow,  smooth,  shining,  fragile ;  hypothallus  absent ;  elaters 
very  short,  about  100  ju,  long,  4 — 5  p  thick,  here  and  there  thick- 
ened, apices  rounded,  often  mucronate  and  curved,  spirals  2 — 3, 
slightly  prominent,  here  and  there  inconspicuous ;  spores  globose, 
unequally  costulato-reticulate,  11 — 12/x  diameter. 

Trichia  pusilla,  Schroeter,  p.  114;  Sacc.,  Syll.,  vii.,  1,  n.  1509  ; 
Mass.,  Rev.  Trich.,  p.  345. 

On  bark.     Germany. 

LITHODERMEAE. 

The  most  pronounced  characteristic  of  the  present  section  is 
the  almost  universal  presence  of  carbonate  or  rarely  bicarbonate 


196          A  Monograph  of  the  -Myxogastres. 

of  lime  in  the  form  of  crystals,  or  more  frequently  as  minute 
amorphous  particles.  In  the  sub-section  Phyxarae,  which  in- 
cludes the  terminal  members  of  the  section,  lime  is  present  in 
very  considerable  quantity  both  on  the  sporangium  and  in  the 
threads  of  the  capillitium,  whereas  in  the  sub-section  Didymeae 
lime  is  abundant  on  the  sporangium,  but  absent  from  the 
capillitium,  although  usually  present  in  the  columella  when  the 
latter  is  present.  The  genus  Cratcriachea  is  intermediate 
between  the  two  sub-sections  as  regards  the  disposition  of  lime. 
In  the  genus  Diadiaca  lime  is  absent  from  the  sporangium, 
although  present  in  quantity  in  the  columella  and  stem  ;  this 
genus,  as  explained  later  on,  forms  a  connecting  link  between 
the  present  section  and  the  Columelltfcrae,  and  as  such,  does 
not  come  within  the  diagnosis  of  either.  Owing  to  rigidity 
due  to  the  abundance  of  lime,  especially  in  the  sub-section 
Phywrcw,  there  are  no  marked  contrivances  for  spore  dispersion, 
which  appears  to  be  effected  by  wind  on  the  dissolution  of  the 
sporangium,  but  in  the  Didymeae,  where  the  capillitium  is  free 
from  lime  and  possesses  a  certain  amount  of  elasticity,  the 
sporangium  frequently  dehisces  in  a  definite  manner. 

BADHAMIA. 

CRATERIUM. 

I 
LEOCAIIPUS. 

CIENKOWSKTA.  PHVBAHUM. 

.  TlLMADOCHE. 

CHOXDRIODERMA.  Crateriachea. 

I  v  I 

DlDYMIUM.  FUUGO. 

I  M 

LEPIDODKBMA.  SPUMARIA. 


DlACHAEA. 

LITHODERMEAE. 

/       LAMPRODERMA.       \ 
\COLUMELLIFERAE./ 


Lithodermeae.  197 

ANALYSIS   OF  THE   GENERA. 

Sect.     LITHODERMEAE. 

Sub-sect.    DIDYMEAE. 

CHONDRIODERMA.  Sporangia  with  a  continuous  porcelain- 
like  coat  of  lime. 

DlDYMlUM.  Sporangia  with  a  pulverulent,  crystalline  coat 
of  lime. 

LEPIDODERMA.  Sporangia  with  isolated,  large  patches  of 
lime. 

SPUMARIA.  Aethalium  consisting  of  sporangia  arranged  in  a 
dendritic  manner. 

DlACHAEA.     Sporangia  iridescent,  without  lime. 

Sub-sect.    PHYSARAE. 

BADHAMIA.  Threads  of  capillitium  thick,  containing  lime 
throughout  their  length. 

CRATERIUM.  Sporangia  with  a  well  differentiated  lid,  or 
splitting  in  a  circumscissile  manner. 

PHYSARUM.  Capillitium  with  numerous  large,  irregular  nodes 
containing  lime,  and  connected  by  thinner  portions  with- 
out lime. 

TlLMADOCHE.  Capillitium  with  small,  scattered,  elliptical 
nodes  containing  lime  internodes  thin,  elongated,  with- 
out lime. 

LEOCARPUS.     Sporangia  obovate,  polished. 

OEINKQWSKIA.     Capillitium  with  curved,  free  tips. 

Crateriachea.  Columella  present;  threads  of  capillitium 
mostly  without  nodes,  containing  lime. 

FULIGO.     A  cake-like  aethalium. 

Sub-sect.    DIDYMEAE. 

CHONDRIODERMA,  Rost.  (in  part). 

Sporangium  stipitate  or  sessile,  wall  single  or  double,  outer 
wall  charged  with  lime,  perfectly  smooth,  porcelain-like,  dehis- 


198          A  Monograph  of  the  Myxogastres. 

cing  irregularly  or  in  a  stellate  manner;  inner  wall,  when 
present,  very  thin,  containing  no  lime,  often  iridescent;  colu- 
mella  present  or  absent;  threads  of  capillitium  thin,  without 
lime;  either  sparingly  bifurcating,  or  branching  and  anasto- 
mosing to  form  a  more  or  less  dense  net. 

O 

Ckondrioderma,  Host.,  Mon.,  p.  167 ;  Cooke,  Brit.  Myx.,  p.  36 ; 
Schroeter,  p.  123 ;  Sacc.,  Syll.,  v.,  7,  pt.  I,  p.  362. 

The  characteristics  of  the  present  genus  are,  a  well-developed 
capillitium  not  containing  lime,  and  the  outer  wall  highly 
charged  with  lime,  externally  perfectly  smooth  and  porcelain- 
like.  Closely  allied  to  Didymium;  in  fact  so  closely  allied,  that 
leaving  out  imaginary  or  book  distinctions,  the  only  point  of 
difference  consists  in  the  outer  surface  of  the  wall  in  Didymiutn 
never  being  porcelain-like,  but  always  more  or  less  granular 
or  pulverulent.  Such  a  division  is  convenient  from  the  system- 
atic point  of  view,  as  to  whether  it  is  of  generic  value  or  not 
is  a  question  that  cannot  perhaps  be  decided  in  the  present 
state  of  knowledge  as  to  what  constitutes  affinity  in  the 
Myxogastres.  The  space  between  the  outer  and  inner  wall  I 
do  not  find  sufficiently  constant  to  adopt  as  part  of  the  generic 
character,  its  presence  depends  on  the  contraction  of  the  spore 
forming  mass  of  protoplasm,  due  to  expulsion  of  water  after 
the  outer  calcareous  wall  has  become  rigid ;  in  C.  sublateritium, 
the  contraction  of  the  inner  spore-mass  takes  place  before  the 
outer  calcareous  wall  becomes  rigid,-  hence  the  latter  also 
collapses  and  becomes  normally  umbilicate  above.  The  same 
condition  of  things  may  sometimes  be  met  with  in  species  that 
usually  have  a  space  between  the  two  -walls. 

Distrib.  Temperate  and  tropical  regions;  most  abundant  in 
the  former.  Species  34. 

Sub-Gen.  Leangium.     Sporangium  flitting  in  a  stellate  manner. 

A.     Columella  present. 
Chondriodenna  floriforme,  Rost.  (figs.  58,  59).  t 

Gregarious,  springing  from  a  well-developed  hypothallus ; 
sporangia  broadly  obovate,  stipitate,  yellowish-brown,  dehiscing 


Chondrioderma.  199 

in  a  stellate  manner ,  the  lobes  becoming  rcflexed  ;  stem  longer 
than  height  of  sporangium,  equal,  minutely  longitudinally 
rugulose,  erect,  colour  of  sporangium ;  columella  clavate,  stipitate, 
rugulose  above,  pale  brown  or  ochraceous ;  mass  of  spores  blackish 
with  purple  tinge ;  threads  of  capillitium  brownish-purple,  3  /* 
thick,  branching  at  acute  angles  and  combining  laterally  to 
form  an  irregular  network,  furnished  with  irregular  thickenings ; 
spores  globose,  dingy  violet,  with  a  few  rather  large  conical  warts, 
10 — 12  //,  diameter. 

Chondrioderma  floriforme,  Host,  Mon.,  p.  184  (excl.  syn. 
Diderma  concinnum,  B.  and  Br.,  added  by  Rostafinski  in  Mon. 
Append.) ;  Cooke,  Brit.  Myx.,  p.  41 ;  Sacc.,  Syll.,  n.  1285  (excl. 
syn.  Diderma  concinnum,  B.  and  Br.) ;  Raunk.,  p.  84. 

Exsicc. — Ellis,  N.  Amer.  Fung.,  1121 ;  in  Fuckel,  Fung. 
Rhen.,  2496,  the  specimen  agrees  in  every  respect  with  the 
above  description  except  that  the  spores  are  almost  smooth. 
Rostafinski  describes  the  spores  as  having  scattered  spines, 
which  is  translated  by  Cooke,  Myx.  Brit.,  p.  41,  as  "  rarely 
spinulose,"  and  the  description  in  Saccardo's  "  Sylloge "  is  a 
translation  of  Cooke's  version,  hence  incorrect. 

On  decaying  wood.  Britain  (Queen's  Cottage  Wood,  Kew  ; 
Grace  Dieu,  Leicester)  ;  Germany ;  France  ;  Denmark ;  United 
States. 

About  2-5  mm.  high,  sporangia  polished,  wall  thick ;  super- 
ficially resembling  some  stipitate  forms  of  Lepidoderma  radiatum 
before  dehiscence,  but  the  latter  is  distinguished  by  the  stem 
being  much  attenuated  towards  the  base. 

(Rostafinski's  Synonyms.) 

Sphaerocarpus  floriformis,  Bull.,  t.  371  (1791). 
Stcmonitis  floriformis,  Gmel.,  Syst.,  1469  (1791). 
Lycoperdon  floriforme,  With.,  Arr.,  iv.,  379  (1792). 
Reticularia  floriformis,  Poir.,  Ency. 
Didymium  florifwme,  Schrad.,  N.  G.,  25  (1797). 
Diderma  floriforme,  Pers.  Syn.,  164   (1801) ;   Fr.,  S.  M.,  iii., 
p.  99  ;  Berk.,  Engl.  Flora,  v.,  p.  310 ;  Cooke,  Hdbk.,  No.  1105. 


200  A  Monograph  of  the  Myxogastres. 

Chondrioderma  radiatum,  Rost.  (figs.  92—95).  •• 

Sporangia  stipitate  or  sessile,  subglobose  or  depressed,  umbili- 
cate  below,  pallid  or  with  a  brown  tinge,  when  mature  splitting 
in  an  irregularly  stellate  manner  from  the  apex,  segments  re- 
flexed,  persistent;  stem,  when  present,  shorter  than  sporangium, 
attenuated  downwards ;  columella  large,  globose  or  slightly  elon- 
gated, rugulose,  pallid  or  with  a  rufous  tinge ;  threads  of  capil- 
litium  thin,  fuliginous,  or  almost  colourless,  simple  below,  then 
bifurcating  at  acute  angles,  now  and  then  combining  laterally  ; 
spores  globose,  violet-brown,  minutely  wartcd,  9 — 12  fj.  diameter. 

Cliontlriodcrma  radiatum,  Rost.,  Hon.,  p.  182,  figs.  152,  153, 
155,  156,  170;  Cooke,  Myx.  Brit.,  p.  40,  figs.  152,  153,  155,  156, 
170;  Schroeter,  p.  125. 

Diderma  stellare,  Fries.     Seler.  Succ.  Exs. 

On  wood,  bark,  &c.  Britain  (King's  Cliffe,  Scarboro'); 
Sweden  ;  Germany ;  Denmark  ;  France ;  United  States. 

Sporangia  scattered  or  loosely  gregarious,  about  '5  mm. 
diameter  before  dehiscence.  Recognized  amongst  the  species 
that  dehisce  in  a  stellate  manner  by  the  umbilicate  sporangium, 
which  is  constant  when  the  specimens  are  sessile,  the  large 
rugulose  pale  columella,  and  the  minutely  warted  spores. 

(Rostafinski's  Synonyms.) 
Lycoperdon  radiatum,  Linn.,  sp.,  1654  (1753). 
Didymium  stellare,  Schrad.,  t.  5,  f.  3,  4  (1797). 
Diderma  stellare,  Pers.  Syn.,  164  (1801). 
Diderma  umbilicatum,  Pers.  Syn.,  165  (1801) ;  Eng.  Fl.,  v., 

310 ;  Cke.,  Hdbk.,  No.  1106. 
Ditlerma  vrassipcs,  Sdhum.  Saell.,  1421  (1803). 
Reticularia  umbilicata,  Poir.,  Ency. 
Didymium  gcaster,  Link,  diss.  ii.,  42  (1809). 
Leangium  stellare,  Link,  diss.  ii.,  42  (1809). 
Cionium  stellare,  Spr.  Syst,  iv.,  529  (1827). 
Cionium  nmbilicatnm,  Spr.  Syst.,  iv.,  529  (1827). 
Leangium  umlilicatum,  Rabh.  Fl.  Crypt.,  285  (1844). 
Didymiu^i  complanatum,  Fckl.,  Sym.  Myc.,  341  (1869). 


Chondrioderma.  201 

Chondrioderma  geasteroides,  Phil.     - 

Sporangia  sessile  or  shortly  stipitate,  globose  or  broadly 
pyriform,  ochraceous-brown,  polished,  dehiscing  in  a  stellate 
manner  into  five  or  six  unequal,  acute  segments  which  become 
strongly  reflexed,  inner  surface  of  wall  white,  rough  with 
granules  of  lime ;  stem,  when  present,  shorter  than  sporangium, 
thick,  obscure  brown;  columella  globose,  ochraceous-brown; 
threads  of  capillitium  brownish  or  almost  colourless,  repeated 
branching  in  a  dichotomous  manner,  and  anastomosing  laterally 
to  form  a  network;  base  of  each  bifurcation  swollen  and  dark- 
coloured;  spores  globose,  brown,  minutely  •.  warted,  11 — 14  ju, 
diameter. 

Chondrioderma  geasteroides,  Phil.,  in  Herb. 

Diderma  geasteroidcs,  Phil.,  Grev.,  v.,  5,  p.  113,  t.  87,  fig.  1, 
a— f ;  Sacc.,  Syll.,  1293. 

Diderma  laciniatum,  Phil.,  Grev.,  v.,  5,  p.  113,  t.  87,  fig.  2, 
a— f;  Sacc.,  Syll.,  n.  1294. 

(Types  in  Herb.,  Phillips.) 

On  rotten  wood,  mosses.  &c.     California. 

For  an  opportunity  of  examining  the  present  and  other  types 
of  Myxogastres  from  California,  I  am  indebted  to  the  kindness 
of  Mr.  Wm.  Phillips,  F.L.S.,  of  Shrewsbury. 

Gregarious  or  scattered,  f — 1  mm.  high.  After  dehiscence 
the  present  species  is  a  very  beautiful  object  under  a  low  power, 
the  snow-white  inner  surface  of  the  reflexed  segments  standing 
out  in  contrast  to  the  purple-black  mass  of  spores,  and  the 
ochraceous-brown  or  fulvous  outside  colour.  Distinct  from  C. 
radiatwn,  its  nearest  ally,  in  the  peculiar  structure  of  the 
capillitium  and  the  colour  and  coarsely  granular  inside  of  the 
sporangial  wall,  the  spores  are  also  larger  in  the  present  species. 

Chondrioderma  Lyallii,  Mass.  (n.  sp.)>Acv»*a.  mv 

VAv.  Uv«-» 

Scattered  or  aggregated ;  sporangia  globose  or  broadly  obovate, 
stipitate,  wall  thick,  polished,  whitish  or  pallid,  splitting  in  an 
irregularly  stellate  manner ;  stem  shorter  than  sporangium, 


202  A  Monograph  of  the  Myxogastres. 

thick,  irregularly  rugulose,  expanding  at  the  base  into  a  small 
hypothallus,  pale  ochraceous ;  columella  cylindraceo-clavate,  nearly 
Jialf  the  height  of  the  sporangium,  smooth,  pallid  ;  mass  of  spores 
blackish- violet;  capillitium  copious,  threads  dingy  lilac,  3 — 3'5/* 
thick  at  the  base,  tapering,  branching  irregularly  and  anasto- 
mosing laterally,  furnished  with  numerous  elongated  swellings 
usually  containing  a  few  dark  granules;  spores  globose,  deep 
violet,  almost  opaque,  coarsely  warted,  13 — 15  p  diameter. 

On  thin  decorticated  twigs.  Fort  Colville,  Canada.  (Dr. 
Lyall.) 

(Type  in  Herb.,  Kew.) 

From  1'5 — 2  mm.  high,  with  the  habit  of  Chondrioderma 
Oerstedii,  differing  in  the  highly  developed  columella  and  irregular 
mode  of  dehiscence. 

Chondrioderma  Carmichaeliamim,  Cooke  (figs.  245 — 247).  '•• 

Sporangia  spherical,  quite  sessile,  splitting  when  mature  into 
4 — 5  acute  segments,  pale  red,  polished;  columella  sphericat, 
attenuated  at  the  base,  pale  red  ;  threads  of  capillitium  very  thin, 
colourless,  branching  in  a  dichotomous  manner,  here  and  there 
laterally  connected ;  spores  globose,  dark- violet,  smooth,  11 — 13  /u, 
diameter. 

Chondrioderma  Carmichaelianum,  Cooke,  Myx.  Brit.,  p.  42. 

ChondriodcrDia  radiatum,  Host.,  Mon.  Append.,  p.  40  (in 
part) ;  Sacc.,  Syll.,  1284  (in  part). 

Uiderma  Carmichaelianum,  Berk.,  Eng.  Fl.,  vol.  v.,  p.  34; 
Cooke,  Hdbk.,  no.  1112. 

(Type  in  Herb.  Berk.,  Kew.) 

On  moss.     Britain  (Appin,  N.  B. ;  Trifreu,  Wales). 

Sporangia  about  '5  mm.  diameter;  distinguished  from  C. 
radiatum  in  being  sessile  and  globose,  not  umbilicate  below, 
and  in  the  smooth  spores. 

Chondrioderma  Trevelyana,  Rost.  fci. 

Sporangia  ovate  or  subglobose,  sessile,  wall  single,  polished 
ivory  coloured,  splitting  half  way  to  the  base  into  numerous 


\ 


Chondrioderma.  203 

narrow  segments  which  become,  reftexed ;  columella  white,  minute ; 
mass  of  spores  blackish-purple;  capillitium  dense,  threads 
colourless,  2 — 3  /u  thick,  frequently  forking  at  a  wide  angle, 
and  combined  laterally  to  form  a  net,  slightly  thicker  at  the 
point  of  bifurcation ;  spores  globose,  minutely  verruculose,  12 — 14  /u, 
diameter. 

Leangium?  Trevelyani,  Grev.,  Scot.  Cr.  FL,  pi.  132. 

Chondrioderma  Trevelyana,  Host.,  Mon.,  p.  182,  figs.  161 — 163 ; 
Cooke,  Brit.  Myx.,  p.  40,  figs.  161—163 ;  Sacc.,  Syll.,  n.  1289. 

In  the  Appendix  to  Rostafinski's  Monograph,  the  present 
species  is  referred  as  a  synonym  to  Chondrioderma  radiatum. 

On  living  leaves  of  Bryum  ligulatum.  Britain  (Northumber- 
land). 

Sporangia  scattered  ;  1 — 15  mm.  diameter  before  dehiscence. 
The  above  description  is  drawn  up  from  a  specimen  originally 
in  Sowerby's  Herbarium,  and  now  in  the  Berkeley  Herbarium, 
Kew,  and  said  to  be  from  Greville.  It  is  certainly  quite 
distinct  from  G.  radiatum,  in  the  greater  number  of  segments 
(14 — 16)  into  which  the  sporangial  wall  splits,  the  colourless 
capillitium,  and  larger  spores. 

(Rostafinski's  Synonyms.) 

Leangium  (?)  Trevelyani,  Grev.,  Scot.  Cr.  FL,  t.  132  (1825). 

Cionium  Trevelyani,  Spr.,  Syst.,  iv.,  529  (1827). 

Diderma  Trevelyani,  Fr.,  S.  M.,  iii.,  105  (1829);  Eng.  Fl.,  v., 

311 ;  Cooke,  Hdbk.,  No.  1111. 
Polyschismiu7n  Trevelyani,  Corda,  Icon.,  v.,  p:  20  (1842). 

B.     Columella  absent. 
Chondrioderma  Oerstedtii,  Rost.  (figs.  87,  88).  ^'^n 

Sporangia  stipitate,  subglobose  or  broadly  pyriform,  when 
mature,  splitting  in  a  stellate  manner  into  4 — 6  irregular,  acute 
segments,  pallid ;  stem  short,  usually  darker  than  sporangium ; 
columella  entirely  absent;  threads  of  capillitium  colourless  or 
dirty-lilac,  combined  to  form  a  net,  often  furnished  with  darker 


204  A  Monograph  of  the  Myxogastres. 

thickenings;  spores  globose,  violet,  densely  covered  with  minute 
warts,  10 — 14  /x  diameter. 

Chondriodcrma,  Oerstcdtii,  Host.,  Mon.,  p.  184,  figs.  154,  157; 
Cooke,  Brit.  Myx./ p.  41,  figs.  154,  157;  Sacc.,  Syll,  1286; 
Grev.,  vol.  v.,  p.  12. 

(Specimen  named  by  Rostafinski  in  Herb.  Berk.) 

On  wood,  &c.     Britain  (Jedburgh) ;  Germany. 

I  have  not  been  able  to  observe  the  glistening  glassy  warts 
described  by  Rostafinski  as  present  on  the  sporangium.  Dis- 
tinguished from  C.  radmtum  by  the  absence  of  columella,  and 
from  G.  Carmichtielianum  in  the  presence  of  a  stem. 

Chondrioderma  lucidum,  Cooke.  ^ 

Sporangia   subglobose,  sessile,  either   scattered   or  crowded, 
splitting  in  an  irregular  stellate  manner,  bright  reddish-yellow ; 
internally  yellow,  mass  of  spores  globose;   capillitiuui   brown, 
irregular  at  the  points  of  ramification,  yellowish,  spores  globose,     ^ 
violet-black,  '0125  mm.  (  =  12  JA)  diameter,  minutely  echinulate. 

Chondrioderma  lucidum,  Cooke,  Myx.  Brit,  p.  42;  Sacc.,  1288. 

Diderma  lucidum,  B.  and  Br.,  Ann.  Nat.  Hist.,  n.  938,  t.  15, 
fig.  9;  Cke.,  Hdbk.,  n.  1110. 

On  moss  and  Jungermannia.     Britain. 

I  have  seen  no  specimen  of  the  present  species. 

According  to  Berkeley's  figure  the  sporangium  is  sometimes 
furnished  with  a  short,  distinct  stem  thickened  upwards,  the 
sporangium  may  be  spherical  or  considerably  depressed ;  after 
dehiscence  the  basal  portion  is  persistent  with  an  irregularly 
toothed  margin  ;  an  "  obscure  columella  "  is  also  present.  May 
not  this  be  a  form  of  C.  radiatum  ? 

Sub-Gen.  Cltondrioderma.     Sporangium  irregularly  ruptured. 

A.     Columclla  jircsent. 

\     Chondrioderma  Michelii,  Rost.  (fig.  312).  tu 
Sporangia  springing  from  a  well-developed  more  or  less  torn 
hypothallus,   stipitate   or   almost    sessile,    circular    in    outline, 


Ckondrioderma.  205 

discoid,  thin,  flat  or  slightly  convex  above,  rather  concave  below, 
white  or  cream-coloured;  the  wall  breaking  away  in  irregular 
patches  above ;  stem  equal,  pale  ochraceous  or  whitish,  longi- 
tudinally wrinkled,  the  ridges  continuing  on  the  under  side  of  the 
sporangium;  in  some  specimens  the  stem  is  obsolete,  and  a 
broadly  extending  plasmodiocarp,  forming  continuous  patches, 
or  an  irregularly  branched  anastomosing  structure  is  produced  ; 
columclla  flattened,  dingy  red  ;  mass  of  spores  black  with  purple 
tinge ;  threads  of  capillitium  1 — 2  p.  thick,  pale  or  colourless, 
forked,  combining  laterally  to  form  a  loose  net;  spores  globose, 
dingy  lilac,  smooth,  8—9  //.  diameter. 

Chondrioderma  Michelii,  Host.,  Fckl.,  Symb.  Myc.,  Nach.  2, 
p.  74;  Rost.,  Hon.,  p.  172,  figs.  131;  146,  149,  150;  Cooke, 
Brit.  Myx.,  p.  37,  figs.  131,  146,  149,  150;  Sacc.,  Syll,  n.  1268; 
Schroeter,  p.  123. 

Didymium  Michelii,  Lib.,  PI.  Crypt.  Ard.,  Fasc.  II.,  no. -180 
(1832). 

JExsicc.— Lib.,  PL  Crypt.  Ard.,  Fasc.  II.,  n.  180;  Fuckel, 
Fung.  Rhen.,  2691 ;  Ellis,  N.  Amer.  Fung.,  615. 

On  living  or  dead  leaves,  twigs,  wood,  &c. ;  some  of  the 
specimens  were  found  on  horse-dung.  Britain  (specimen  from 
Sowerby's  Herbarium ;  Appin,  N.  B.) ;  Sweden ;  Germany ; 
France ;  Belgium  ;  Italy ;  United  States ;  India. 

Sporangia  1—1  '5  mm.  diameter.  Resembling  an  Agaric 
in  miniature ;  the  stem  is  sometimes  obsolete,  and  then  the 
sporangia  frequently  coalesce  in  series  of  three  or  four.  In 
the  Indian  form  there  is  a  very  thin  ochraceous  inner  pellicle 
without  lime ;  in  every  other  respect  it  agrees  with  the  typical 
state  of  the  plant. 

(Rostafinski's  Synonyms.) 

Diderma  contortum,  Hoffm.,  t.  9,  f.  2a  (1795). 
Reticularia  contorta,  Poir.,  Ericy.,  vi.,  182. 
Reticularia  hemispherica,  Sow.,  t.  12  (1797). 
Physarum  depression,  Schum.  Saell.,  No.   1439    (1803) ;   Fl. 
Dan.,  t.  1972,  f.  2. 


206          A  Monograph  of  the  Myxogastres. 

Didemna  physarioides,  Schum.,  Herb. 
Didemia  depressum,  Fr.,  S.  M.,  iii.,  108  (1829). 
Diderma  lenticulare,  Wallr.,  Herb. 
Didymium  Michelii,  Lib.,  Exs.  ii.,  180  (1832). 
Didymium  hemisphericum,  Berk.,  Engl.  Fl.,  v.,  p.  312  (1836) ; 
Cke.,  Hdbk.,  No.  1119. 

Chondrioderma  globosum,  Rost.  k 

Sporangia  globose,  seated  on  a  broad  or  narrow  base,  Tiypoihallus 
strongly  developed,  chalk-iohite,  containing  much  lime,  outer  wall 
thick,  white,  at  length  irregularly  ruptured ;  inner  wall  cine- 
reous, often  iridescent ;  columella  white,  small,  globose  or 
ellipsoid ;  threads  of  capillitium  bright  violet,  sometimes  almost 
colourless,  forming  a  dense  net;  spores  lilac  with  tinge  of 
brown,  minutely  warted,  8 — 10  /*  diameter. 

Chondrioderma  globosum,  Rost.,  Mon.,  p.  180,  fig.  138;  Cooke, 
Myx.  Brit.,  p.  39,  40,  fig.  138;  Schroeter,  p.  370;  Sacc.,  Syll., 
n.  1278. 

On  leaves,  twigs,  &c.  Britain  (Norths) ;  France ;  Germany  ; 
Belgium ;  Italy ;  U.  States. 

Sporangia  often  subangular  from  mutual  pressure,  f — 1  mm. 
diameter.  Columella  pure  white. 

(Rostafinski's  Synonyms.) 

Mucilago,  7,  Mich.,  t.  96,  f.  6  (1729). 

Lycogala,  Hall.,  n.  2143  (1763). 

Reticularia  sphaeroidalis,  Bull.,  446,  f.  2  (1791). 

Didavna  gldbomm,  Pers.  Disp.,  t.  1,  f.  4,  5  (1797) ;  Eng.  Fl., 

v.,  p.  312;  Cke.,  Hdbk.,  1114. 

Didymium  candidum,  Schrad.,  Nov.  Gen.,  25  (1797). 
Didymium  glolosum,  Chev.,  Fl.  Par.,  t.  9,  f.  28  (1827). 
Physarum  sphaeroidcs,  Chev.,  Fl.  Par.,  339  (1827). 
Cionium  globosum,  Spr.,  iv.,  529  (1827). 

Chondrioderma  niveum,  Rost.  (figs.  89 — 91).  tiv<v 
Sporangia  sessile,  hemispherical,  elliptical  or  irregular  from 


Chondriodei  'ma.  207 

mutual  pressure,  snow-white,  polished,  dehiscing  irregularly  ; 
columella  large,  depressed,  dirty  ochraceous  or  brownish;  capil- 
litium  dense,  threads  2  —  3  /x  thick  at  the  base,  remaining  for 
some  distance  simple,  then  bifurcating  and  anastomosing  laterally, 
pale  and  lilac-brown  ;  spores  globose,  pale  lilac,  very  minutely 
verruculose,  many  of  the  warts  showing  a  tendency  to  become 
elongated  into  ridges,  10  —  12  /x  thick. 

Chondrioderma  niveum,  Host.,   Mon.,  p.   170;   Cooke,  Myx. 
Brit,  p.  37;  Sacc.,  Syll.,  1259. 

(Specimen  named  by  Rostafinski  in  Hb.  Berk.) 

On  leaves,  grass,  wood.     Britain  (Linlithgow). 

Scattered  or  crowded,  2  —  2'5  mm.  across. 


Chondrioderma  virgineum,  Mass.  (n.  sp.)  (figs.  216 

Gregarioiis  ;  regular,  hemispherical,  sometimes  slightly  de- 
pressed, sessile  on  a  broad  base,  wall  at  first  polished,  snow-white, 
the  outer  film  falling  away  in  patches,  grey  or  pulverulent  below  ; 
columella  snow-white,  depressed,  rugose,  extending  over  the 
greater  portion  of  base  of  sporangium  ;  capillitium  forming  a  . 
dense  net,  threads  very  thin,  colourless,  combining  at  numerous 
points  to  form  large,  irregular,  membranaceous  expansions  of  a 
pale  lilac  colour  ;  spores  globose,  pale  lilac,  very  minutely  verru- 
culose,  8  —  11  /x  diameter. 

Chondrioderma  Cookei,  Mass.,  in  Herb.,  Kew. 

On  leaves.     Britain  (Hampstead). 

(Type  in  Herb.,  Kew.  ) 

Densely  gregarious,  but  not  crowded,  about  '5  diameter. 
Agreeing  with  Chondrioderma  .Friesianum,  Host.,  in  the  struc- 
ture of  the  sporangial  wall,  but  distinct  in  the  capillitium  and 
spores. 

Chondrioderma  dealbata,  Mass,  i  '  sf  c< 

Sporangia  scattered  or  crowded,  subglobose,  sessile  on  a  broad 
base,  sometimes  seated  on  a  white  hypothallus,  wall  very  smooth, 
white,  fragile,  dehiscing  in  a  circumscissile  manner  ;  columella 
subglobose,  white,  sometimes  almost  obsolete  ;  capillitium  dense, 


208  A  Monograph  of  the  Myxoyastres. 

threads  often  forked  at  acute  angles,  anastomosing  laterally, 
brownish-lilac,  furnished  here  and  there  with  thickenings ;  spores 
dusky  violet,  globose,  with  prominent,  elongated,  flcxuous  ridges, 
8 — 11  p  diameter. 

"  Didymium  dealbatum,  B.  and  C.,"  in  Herb.  Berk.,  n.  10756. 

Chond.rioderma  subdictyospermum,  Host.,  Mon.  Append.,  p.  16; 
Sacc.,  Syll.,  n.  1260. 

On  wood,  amongst  moss.     Venezuela. 

A  very  fine  and  distinct  species,  sporangium  pure  white, 
polished,  about  '5  mm.  diameter.  There  appears  to  be  no  good 
reason  why  Berkeley's  specific  name,  although  only  a  manu- 
script one,  should  have  been  changed  by  Rostafinski.  The 
description  of  the  present  species  in  Saccardo's  Sylloge  is 
meaningless. 

(Rostafinski's  Synonym.) 
Didymium  dealbatum,  B.  msc. 

Chondrioderma  Friesianum,  Rost. 

Sporangia  sessile,  subhemispherical,  wall  very  much  charged 
with  lime,  snow-white,  after  the  crust  has  fallen  away,  grey; 
columella  distinct,  lenticularly  depressed,  yellowish-gilvous  or 
flesh-colour ;  capillitium  well-developed,  colourless,  threads  com- 
bined to  form  a  network ;  spores  pale  violet,  8  /x  diameter, 
smooth. 

CJwndriodcrma  JSi'icsianum,  in  Fuckel's  Sym.  Myc.,  2,  p.  74 ; 
Rost.,  Mon.,  p.  172;  Sacc.,  Syll.,  no.  1260. 
On  bark,  stems,  &c.     Europe. 

Distinguished  from  Chondrioderma  globosum  by  its  irregular 
form,  by  the  inside  of  the  sporangial  wall  subreticulate,  and 
the  almost  umber  spores. 

• 

(Rostafinski's  Synonyms.) 
Diderma  dijforme,  Sommf.,  Fl.  Lap.,  p.  217;  non  Pers;  sed 

Fr.,  S.  M.,  iii.,  p.  106  (1825). 

Chondrioderma  Friesianum,  Rost.,  in  Fuckel's  Symb.  Myc.,  2, 
Nach.,  p.  74. 


Chondriodenna.  209 

Chondrioderma  albescens,  Phil.  - 

Sporangia  globose  or  slightly  depressed,  sessile  on  a  broad  lasc> 
outer  wall  crustaceous,  white,  polished,  becoming  irregularly 
ruptured  above,  inner  wall  very  thin,  ochraceous  towards  base 
of  sporangium  and  where  it  passes  over  the  columella,  colour- 
less and  very  delicate  above;  columella  well-developed,  more 
or  less  globose,  ochraceous  ;  mass  of  spores  blackish-purple  ; 
threads  of  capillitium  "fuliginous  or  almost  colourless,  about 
3  jut  thick  at  the  base,  remaining  for  some  distance  simple, 
then  branching  at  acute  angles,  towards  the  apices  anastomosing 
freely  to  form  a  dense,  irregular  net  ;  spores  globose,  lilac-brown, 
minutely  verruculose,  10  —  13  p  diameter. 

Chondrioderma  albescens,  Phil.,  in  Herb. 

JDidernia  albescens,  Phil,  Grev.,  v.,  5,  p.  114,  t.  87,  f.  3,,  a  —  f  ; 
Sacc.,  SylL,  1291. 

(Type  in  Herb.  Phillips.) 

On  pine  bark.     California. 

Gregarious,  or  towards  the  margin  of  the  clusters,  scattered, 
1  —  1'5  mm.  diameter.  After  dehiscence,  when  the  spores  are 
blown  away,  the  bright  ochraceous  columella  and  base  of 
sporangium  are  very  conspicuous.  The  threads  of  the  capil- 
litium are  sometimes  furnished  with  scattered  swollen  portions. 


Chondrioderma  simulans,  Host.  kileiwMfc  <\U 

Sporangia  spherical,  narrowed  at  the  base,  adnate  to  a  well- 
developed,  chalk-white  hypothallus  composed  mostly  of  lime, 
outer  wall  crustaceous,  chalk-ivhite,  inner  wall  cinereous  or 
variously  bright-  coloured  ;  columella  generally  very  small,  chalk- 
white,  spherical  or  conical;  threads  of  capillitium  forming  a 
dense  net,  with  triangular  protuberances  at  the  nodes,  brownish- 
violet;  spores  dingy  violet,  very  spinulose,  12'5  /a  diameter. 

Chondrioderma  simulans,  Rost.,  Mon.  Append.,  p.  20  ;  Sacc., 
SylL,  1279. 

Chondrioderma  Saundersii,  B.  and  Br.  I 
Sporangia  scattered,   sessile   on   a  broad   base,   very   much 


210          A  Monograph  of  the  Myxogastres. 

depressed,  circular  in  outline,  wall  very  thin,  chalk-white, 
polished, breaking  away  in  irregular  patches;  columella  flattened, 
white,  small,  mass  of  spores  blackish-purple ;  threads  of  capil- 
litium  equal,  about  2  p.  thick,  frequently  branching  and  com- 
bined laterally  to  form  ct  dense  net;  spores  globose,  smooth, 
dingy  violet,  9 — 10  /u  diameter. 

Chondrioderma  Saundersii,  B.  and  Br.,  in  Herb. 
(Type  in  Herb.  Berk.,  no.  10744.) 

On  living  fronds  of  ferns.     Java. 

Resembling  superficially  circular  forms  of  Chondrioderma  dif- 
formc,but,  distinguished  by  the  columella  and  dense  capillitiuin. 
Sporangia  2 — 3  mm.  diameter,  outline  circular,  often  waved ;  a 
very  thin  powdery  layer  of  minute  granules  of  lime  is  frequently 
present  on  the  mass  of  spores,  which  then  appears  dark  grey. 

Chondrioderma  affine,  Host.  V\<WV™OL  c 

Sporangia  small,  densely  crowded  on  a  common  hypothallus, 
irregularly  angular,  depressed,  surface  smooth,  greyish-white; 
columella  irregular,  small,  white,  rarely  very  conspicuous; 
threads  of  capillitium  thin,  forming  a  net,  dirty-violet,  often 
furnished  with  fusiform  subviolaceous  protuberances;  spores 
sub  violaceous,  densely  aculeate,  10 — 14  /x  diameter. 

Chondrioderma  affine,  Host.,  Mon.  App.,  p.  18;  Sacc.,  Syll., 
1271. 

Poland  ;  Germany ;  France. 

Appears  to  be  very  closely  allied  to  Didymium  spumarioides 
of  the  present  work  (Chondrioderma  spumarioides,  Host.) ;  differ- 
ing in  the  smooth  surface  of  the  sporangial  wall,  the  dingy 
colour  of  the  capillitium,  and  the  larger,  densely  aculeate 
spores. 

*  *  Sporangium  coloured. 

Chondrioderma  testaceum,  Rost.   I 

Sporangia  gregarious  or  crowded,  sessile  on  a  broad  base, 
hemispherical  or  elliptical,  rather  depressed,  sometimes  irregular 
from  mutual  pressure,  outer  wall  smooth,  from,  brick-red  to  almost 


Ckoiidrioderma .  'ill 

colourless,  dehiscing  irregularly,  inner  wall  violet- grey ;  threads 
of  capillitium  slender,  brownish-lilac  or  almost  colourless,  fre- 
quently bifurcating  and  anastomosing,  sometimes  flexuous; 
columella  subglobose  or  depressed,  reddish  or  almost  colourless; 
rugose,  spores  globose,  brownish-lilac,  minutely  verruculose, 
9 — 11  |*  diameter. 

Ckondrioderma  testaceum,  Host.,  Mon.,  p.  179,  figs.  135 — 136 ; 
Schroeter,  p.  135;  Sacc.,  Syll.,  n.  1274;  Cooke,  Myx.  Brit., 
figs.  135,  136. 

JSxsicc. — Fuckel,  Fung.  Rhen.,  1467 ;  Desm.,  Cr.  Fr.,  Ser.  I., 
706  (as  Diderma  testaceum} ;  Ellis  and  Everh.,  N.  Amer.  Fung., 
2093. 

On  mosses,  leaves,  twigs,  &c.  Sweden ;  Uermany ;  Finland  ; 
Hungary;  United  States. 

Varying  from  *5 — 1  mm.  diameter;  the  colour  of  the  spor- 
angium bright  brick-red,  but  it  is  sometimes  much  paler. 

(Rostafinski's  Synonyms.) 

Eeticularia  sphaeroidalis,  Var.  2,  Bull.  Champ.,  p.  94,  1  446, 

f.  2,  D  (1791). 

Didymium  testaceum,  Schrad.,  p.  25,  t.  5,  f.  1,  2  (1897). 
Diderma  testaceum,  Pers.  Syn.,  p.  167  (1801). 
Gionium  testaceum,  Spr.  Syst.,  iv.,  p.  529. 

Chondrioderma  sublateritium,  Rost.  t 

Densely  gregarious,  sessile  on  a  broad  base,  but  rarely  deformed 
by  crowding,  circular  in  outline,  depressed,  umlilicate  above,  pale 
brick-red,  polished ;  inner  wall  lead-colour ;  columella  small, 
flattened,  reddish,  capillitium  forming  a  flaccid  network,  threads 
thin,  sometimes  flexuous,  with  here  and  there  small  fusiform 
swellings  without  lime ;  spores  globose,  pale  lilac-brown,  minutely 
verruculose,  9 — 11  /*  diameter. 

Chondrioderma  sublateritium,  B.  and  Br.,  Journ.  Linn.  Soc., 
vol.  xiv.,  p.  82. 

(Type  in  Herb.  Berk.,  n.  10728.) 

On  leaves.     Ceylon. 


212          A  Monograph  of  the  Myxogastres, 

Closely  allied  to  Chondrioderma  testaceum,  if  indeed  it  is  more 
than  a  geographical  variety.  Sporangia  flattened,  umbilicate 
above,  frequently  dehiscing  in  a  circumscissile  manner. 


_,  .    ,  ,   ,..      0  , 

Chondrioderma  mutaDile,  Schroeter. 

. 

Sporangia  sessile,  deformed,  hemispherico-depressed,  or  elongated 
and  curved,  reniform,  semicircular,  &c.,  1  —  3  p  long,  1  mm. 
broad,  hard,  fragile,  bright,  greyish-brown;  columclla  well  de- 
veloped, same  shape  as  the  sporangium,  bright  rufous-brown; 
threads  of  capitulum  thin,  violet,  here  and  there  thickened  in 
a  nodulose  manner;  spores  globose,  11  —  14  /x  diameter,  blackish- 
violet,  mucronulate. 

Chondriodcrma  mutabile,  Schroeter,  Kr.  Fl.,  p.  123;  Sacc., 
Syll.,  1273. 

On  rotten  wood.     Silesia. 

Chondrioderma  fallax.  Host.  . 

Sporangia  spherical,  sessile,  yellowish-white,  seated  in  numbers, 
but  not  crowded,  on  a  distinct  common  hi/pothallus  ;  columella 
either  minute  and  flattened,  or  of  medium  size  and  ovate;  threads 
fasciculate  for  some  distance  then  branching  copiously,  obscure 
violet;  spores  obscure  violet  :  warted,  12  —  14  /x  diameter. 

Chondi&derma  fallax,  Host.,  Mon.,  p.  171  ;  Sacc.,  Syll.,  no. 
1261. 

Salzburg,  Tyrol. 

7)'.     Columella  absent. 

Chondrioderma  difforme,  Rost.  (figs.  35—  38).^*^ 

Sporangia  sessile  on  a  broad  base,  convex,  circular  or  irregularly 
elongated,  outer  wall  snow-white,  rather  thick,  breaking  away 
in  patches,  inner  wall  separated  from  the  outer  by  a  space 
containing  air,  thin,  without  lime,  brownish-ochre,  sometimes 
iridescent  ;  mass  of  spores  blackish  ;  columella  absent  or  repre- 
sented by  a  small  accumulation  of  lime  at  base  of  sporangium, 
which  is  covered  by  the  inner  wall  ;  capillitium  scanty,  some- 
times almost  obsolete,  threads  springing  from  base  of  sporangium, 


Chondrioderma.  213 

3 — 4  jut  at  base,  slightly  attenuated  upwards,  forked,  pale  brown 
or  colourless;  spores  globose,  smooth,  dingy  violet,  10 — 13  i*. 
diameter. 

Chondrioderma  difforme,  Host.,  Mon.,  p.  177,  figs.  137,  164, 
165 ;  Cooke,  Myx.  Brit.,  p.  39,  figs.  137,  164,  165 ;  Sacc.,  Syll., 
1282;  Raunk.,  83. 

Chondrioderma  Cubense  (B.  and  C.),  Host.,  Mon.  Append., 
.p.  19 ;  Diderma  Cubense,  B.  and  C.,  Journ.  Linn.  Soc.,  v.  x., 
p.  347. 

Exsicc. — Lib.,  PL  Crypt.  Ard.,  Fasc.  III.,  276  (as  Diderma 
liceoides) ;  Fckl,  Fung.  Rhen.,  2300  (as  Diderma  liceoides) ; 
Rabh.,  F.  Eur.,  1423  (as  Didymium  Libertianum,  De  Bary); 
Rab.-Wint.,  Fung.  Eur.,  3172;  Roum.,  Fung.  Gall.,  1311  and 
2956;  Rab.,  Herb.  Myc.,  456;  Roum.,  Fung.  Gall,  243  (as 
Diderma  cand^d^^m) ;  Sydow,  Myc.  March.,  1497 ;  Desm.,  Cr. 
Fr.,  Ser.  I.,  370  (as  Diderma  difforme');  Fuckel,  Fung.  Rhen., 
1464  (as  Leocarpus  calcareus,  Link) ;  Ellis,  N.  Amer.  Fung., 
1217;  not  typical,  the  spores  smaller  than  in  type,  and  the 
inner  wall  bright  grey. 

On  twigs,  leaves,  &c.  Britain  (Elmsted,  Kew,  Northampton, 
Rudloe,  Twy cross,  Carlisle,  Scarboro',  Linlithgow,  Appin,  N.  B.)  ; 
France ;  Germany ;  Switzerland ;  U.  States ;  India ;  Australia. 

Sporangia  1 — 2  mm.  across  when  circular,  hemispherical  in 
section. 

(Rostafinski's  Synonyms.) 

Eeticularia  angulata,  Pers.  in  Gmel.,  p.  1472  (1791). 
Diderma  difforme,  Pers.  Disp.,  p.  9  (1797);  Icon.  Pict.,  t.  12, 

f.  3—5 ;  Nees,  f.  105. 
Licea  caesia,  Schum.  Saell.,  1500  (1803). 
Physarum  difforme,  Link,  Diss.,  i.,  27  (1809). 
Amphisporium  versicolor,  Fr.,  Gast.,  19  (1818). 
Licea  alba,  Nees,  in  Kze.,  Myk.,  Heft.,  ii.,  66  (1823). 
Lyeogala  minutum,  Grev.,  S.  C.  Fl.,  t.  40  (1823). 
Reticu laria  pusilla,  Fr.,  Orb.  Vet.,  i.,  147  (1825). 
Diderma  cyancscens,  Fr.,  S.  M.,  iii.,  109  (1829);  Eng.  Fl.,  v., 

p.  312;  Cooke,  Hdbk.,  No.  1115. 


214          A  Monograph  of  the 

Physarum  caesium,  Fr.,  S.  M.,  iii.,  147  (1829). 

Physarum  album,  Fr.,  S.  M.,  iii.,  147  (1829);  Letell.,  t.  710, 

f.  4;  Cooke,  Hdbk.,  No.  1140. 

Didymium  difformc,  Duby,  Bot.  Gall.,  ii.,  858  (1830). 
Didcrma   nitens,   Klotzsch,   in   Hook.   Herb.;    Eng.   Fl.,   v., 

p.  312;  Cooke,  Hdbk.,  1113. 
Didcrma  Neesii,  Corda,  Ic.,  ii.,  f.  58  (1838). 
Leocarpus  cyanescens,  Fr.,  S.  V.  S.,  450  (1  849). 
LeocarpiM  nitens,  Fr.,  S.  V.  S.,  450  (1849). 
Didcrma  Libcrtianum,  Fres.,  Beit.,  t.  iv.,  f.  16  —  27  (1850). 
Didymium  Libcrtianum,  De  Bary,  Mycetozoa  (1864). 


TT,    A 
Chondrioderma  Berkeleyanum,  Rost. 

Sporangia  slightly  scutellate,  snow-white,  stipitate  ;  stem  rigid, 
lay  at  the  base,  becoming  paler  upivards;  threads  of  capillitium 
slender,  anastomosing  to  form  a  net  ;  spores  dingy  violet,  strongly 
warted,  10  —  11  p  diameter. 

Chondrioderma  Berkeleyanum,  Host.,  Mon.  App.,  p.  16  ;  Sacc., 
Syll.,  no.  1258. 

Island  of  Tahiti. 

There  is  no  specimen  in  the  Berkeleyan  Herbarium  answer- 
ing to  the  above  description,  and  in  the  "  Introduction  to 
Cryptogamic  Botany,"  p.  335,  the  spores  are  described  and 
figured  wrlh  a  reticulate  epispore. 

(Rostafinski's  Synonym.) 

Tricliamplwra  pczizoides,  Berk.,  Intr.  Or.  Bot.,  p.  335,  non 
Junh. 


Chondrioderma  physarioides,  Rost.  (figs.  59  —  62). 

Gregarious,  sessile  on  a  broad  base,  circular  or  irregularly 
elongate^,  depressed,  outer  cretaceous  wall  polished,  pure  white 
or  ivory  Unted,  inner  wall  dirty  ochraceous,  sometimes  separated 
from  the  outer  wall  by  a  space  containing  air  ;  columella  obsolete  ; 
threads  of  capillitium  equal,  about  3  p.  thick,  colourless,  some- 
times rough  in  parts  with  minute  particles  of  lime,  branching 


Chondrioderma.  2  L  5 

irregularly  and  forming  a  flaccid  net;  spores  globose,  dingy 
violet,  minutely  verruculose,  12 — 13  /*  diameter. 

Chondrioderma  physarioides,  Host,  MOD.,  p.  170 ;  Cooke,  Myx. 
Brit.,  p.  37. 

Chondrioderma  deplanatum,  Host.,  Mon.  Append.,  p.  17 ;  Sacc., 
Syll.,  1264. 

On  rotten  wood,  leaves,  &c.  Britain  (King's  Cliffe,  Black- 
heath,  Carlisle) ;  France ;  Switzerland. 

Sporangia  1 — 3  mm.  when  circular,  from  3 — 5  mm.  when 
elongated ;  in  the  elongated  form  the  sporangium  is  frequently 
folded  on  itself,  and  sometimes  it  takes  two  or  three  spiral 
turns,  leaving  a  minute  cavity  in  the  centre.  Distinguished 
from  Chondrioderma  difforme  by  the  warted  spores  and  large 
size  of  the  sporangia,  and  from  C.  niveum  by  the  absence  of 
the  columella.  Sometimes  the  whole  of  the  outer  calcareous 
coat  breaks  away  in  a  circumscissile  manner  close  to  the  adnate 
base. 

Chondrioderma  cmstaceum,  Berl. 

Effused  or  circumambient,  crowded,  sessile,  subglobose,  smooth, 
white,  outer  peridium  crustaceous,  like  the  shell  of  some  small 
egg,  the  inner  delicate,  appearing  cinerous  to  the  naked  eye, 
iridescent  under  the  microscope ;  columella  none ;  spores 
globose,  black,  '0005  in.  in  diameter  (  =  about  13  /x). 

Chondrioderma  crustaceum,  Berlose,  in  Sacc.,  Syll.,  no.  1290. 

Diderma  crustaceum,  Peck,  in  26th  Report  of  State  Mus., 
N.  Y.,  p.  74. 

On  fallen  sticks  and  leaves.     Memphis ;  United  States. 

Owing  to  absence  of  information  respecting  the  capillitium 
and  presence  or  absence  of  markings  on  the  epispore,  the 
position  of  the  species  is  uncertain. 

Chondrioderma  liceoides,  Host,  t  (Ut*tut*>ii  \\*v 

Plasmodium  scarcely  as  thick  as  a  needle,  creeping  or  puhinate, 
wall  highly  charged  with  lime,  white  externally,  inside  reddish- 
brown  ;  inner  wall  contiguous  to  outer,  delicate,  violet ;  capil- 
litium fairly  abundant,  threads  simple,  or  once  or  twice  diclwto- 


216          A  Monograph  of  the  Myxogastres. 

mous  near  the  apex,  spores  smooth,  obscure  violet,  11 — 12  /x 
diameter. 

Chondrioderma  liceoidcs,  Host,  Mon.  Append.,  p.  17;  Sacc, 
Syll.,  1262. 

On  rotten  gourd.     Carolina. 

(Rostafinski's  Synonyms.) 

Licca  macrosperma,  Sz.,  Am.  Fung.,  no.  2317  (1834). 

Ligynota  nigra,  Fr.,  Sm.  Veg.  Scan.,  p.  459  in  notam.  (1849). 

• 

Chondrioderma  reticulatum,  Rost.  *• 

Plasmodium  sessile,  vein-like,  flattened,  arcuate,  combined  into 
an  irregular  network,  seated  on  a  whitish,  delicate,  reticulated, 
spreading  hypoffutttus;  columella  absent;  threads  of  capillitium 
colourless,  very  thin,  combined  to  foo-m  a  dense  net ;  spores  smooth, 
obscure  violet,  7 — 8  /u,  diameter. 

Chondrioderma  reticulatum,  Rost.,  Mon.,  p.  170. 

On  rotten  branches  of  pine.     Switzerland. 

I  have  not  seen  the  present  species,  but  the  description  seems 
to  suggest,  that  it  may  possibly  be  a  plasmodiocarp  form  of 
C.  Michelii. 

•% 

*  Sporangium  coloured. 

Chondrioderma  ochraceum,  Schroeter.  ^ 

Sporangia  sessile,  irregular,  globose,  reniform,  semicircular, 
&c.,  1 — 2  mm.  long,  1  mm.  across,  densely  gregarimts,  outer  wall 
ochraceous-brcrwn,  falling  away  in  irregular  squamules;  inner 
wall  thin,  colourless;  columella  absent;  capillitium  copious, 
threads  2 — 3  /u  thick,  violet,  smooth,  straight  or  flexuous, 
frequently  anastomosing,  and  here  and  there  forming  a  dense 
reticulation;  spores  globose,  indistinctly  punctulate,  blackish- 
violet,  9 — 11  p  diameter. 

Chondrioderma  ochraceum,  Schroeter,  Kr.  Fl.,  124 ;  Sacc.,  Syll., 
v.,  7,  part,  I.,  no.  1283. 

On  hepatics.     Silesia. 


Chondrioderma.  217 

Chondrioderma  Sauteri,  Rost.    h*lt 

Sporangia  sessile,  irregularly  ellipsoid,  depressed,  Hood-red, 
shining;  inner  wall  whitish-brown,  dull;  columella  absent, 
threads  of  the  capillitium  fasciculate  but  not  forming  a  net; 
spores  pale  violet,  verruculosc,  8 — 12  fj.  diameter. 

Chondrioderma  Sauteri,  Host.,  Mon.,  p.  181 ;  Sacc.,  Syll.,  1281. 

Tyrol. 

There  is  some  difficulty  in  ascertaining  the  exact  meaning 
of  the  colour  of  the  sporangium  as  given  by  Rostafinski,  who 
calls  it  "  kawowo-mleczne."  It  is  translated  in  Saccardo's 
Sylloge  as  "  sanguineo-lacteis." 

Chondrioderma  vaccinum,  Rost. 

Sessile,  adnate,  orbicular,  outer  wall  thick,  adnate,  inner  very 
thin,  evanescent;  columella  absent;  threads  of  capillitium 
hyaline,  delicate;  spores  pale  brownish-violet,  10 — 11  fj.  diameter, 
minutely  warted. 

Chondrioderma  vaccinum,  Rost.,  Mon.,  p.  180 ;  Sacc.,  Syll., 
no.  1275. 

Diderma  vaccinum,  Dur.  et  Mont.,  Fl.  Alg.,  p.  407,  t.  22  bis., 
f.  1 ;  Mont.,  Syll.,  n.  1071. 

(Type  in  Herb.  Mus.,  Paris.) 

On  fallen  branches  of  Opuntia.     Algeria. 

Externally  bearing  a  close  resemblance  to  Chondrioderma 
testaceum,  but  easily  recognized  by  the  absence  of  a  columella ; 
Chondrioderma  sublateritium  is  separated  from  the  present  species 
in  having  the  upper  surface  of  the  sporangium  broadly  um- 
bilicate,  and  in  the  presence  of  a  columella. 

Chondrioderma  simplex,  Schroeter.  thic 

Sporangia  sphaeroid,  slightly  flattened,  scattered,  simple, 
rigid,  fragile,  bright  chestnut ;  columella  absent ;  tubes  of  capil- 
litium radiating,  repeatedly  dichotomous,  violet ;  spores  smooth, 
bright  violet,  7 — 9  n  diameter. 

Schroeter,  Kr.  Fl.  Schles.  Pilze,  p.  123;  Sacc.,  Syll.,  1272. 

On  dead  trunks.     Silesia. 


218          A  Monograph  of  the  Myxogastres. 


Chondriodenna  calcareum,  Rost.  ^' 

cowvaT\;\*i  \-»i 

Sporangia  sessile  and  variable  in  form,  ovate,  elongated  and 
curved,  &c.,  convexo-depressed,  glaucous  and  hyaline  when 
moist,  opaque  and  reddish  or  pale  when  dry,  very  fragile,  at 
length  rupturing  irregularly,  leaving  a  brown  impression  of  the 
base  after  falling  away;  spores  9  —  11  p.  diameter,  mixed  with 
a  few  black  threads. 

Chondrioderma  calcareum,  Host.,  in  Fckl.  S.  Myc.,  2  Nch., 
p.  74;  Rost,  Mon.,  p.  179;  Sacc.,  Syll.,  1280;  Schroeter,  p.  124. 

On  diy  stems.     Germany. 

(Rostafinski's  Synonyms.) 

Leocarpus  calcareus,  Link,  Diss.  I.,  1.  c.,  p.  23  (1809). 
Diderma  liceoides,  FT.,  1.  c.,  in.,  p.  107  (1829). 
Diderma  clialyleum,  Wein.,  1.  c.,  p.  592  (1836). 
Diderma  deplanatum,  Fckl.,  S.  M.,  p.  341  ;  Non.  Fr.  (1869). 
Chondrioderma  calcareum,  (Lk.)  in  Fckl.,  S.  M.,  ii.,  Nch.,  p.  74 
(1873). 

Chondrioderma  Stahlii,  Rost> 

SporSngia  spherical,  slightly  flattened  below,  either  dull 
whitish-brown  or  shining  and  dingy  brown  ;  dehiscing  by  a 
central  pore,  a  long  slit,  or  irregularly;  stem  brown,  shining; 
columella  absent  ;  threads  of  capillitium  either  simple  or  more 
or  less  repeatedly  bifurcate  above,  net  combining  to  form  a 
network  ;  spores  pale  violet,  minutely  verruculosc,  9  fx  diameter. 

Chondrioderma  Stahlii,  Rost.,  Mon.,  p.  185,  f.  168;  Cooke, 
Brit.  Myx.,  fig.  168;  Sacc.,  Syll.,  1287. 

Germany. 

DIDYMIUM,  Schrad.  (in  part). 

Sporangia  stipitate  or  sessile,  wall  single  or  double,  surface 
covered  with  lime,  either  in  the  form  of  a  pulverulent  stratum 
of  amorphous  particles  or  crystals,  or  compacted  into  a  granular 
(but  not  porcelain-like)  crust;  columella  present  or  absent; 


Didymium.  219 

capillitium  usually  well-developed,  threads  thin,  without  lime, 
coloured  or  colourless,  either  radiating  from  the  columella  or 
base  of  sporangium  as  simple  or  furcate  threads,  which  usually 
combine  laterally  towards  the  apex,  or  combine  throughout 
their  length  to  form  a  dense,  irregular  network,  with  the  angles 
more  or  less  triangular  and  flattened.  Spores  lilac  or  violet- 
brown. 

Didymium,  Schrad.,  Nov.  pi.  gen.,  p.  20.  Host,  Mon.,  p.  160 
(in  part) ;  Cooke,  Myx.  Brit.,  p.  30  (in  part) ;  Sacc.,  Syll.,  v.,  7, 
pt.  I.,  p.  376  (in  part) ;  Zopf,  p.  150. 

The  leading  idea  of  the  genus  as  defined  above  is,  the  wall 
of  the  sporangium  with  lime  outside,  the  thin  threads  of  the 
capillitium  not  containing  lime,  either  radiating,  subsimple  or 
bifurcating,  or  anastomosing  irregularly  throughout  their  length 
and  forming  a  net  as  in  the  subgenus  Hcmididymium,  the 
species  of  which  are  distinguished  from  those  of  Tilmadoche 
by  the  absence  of  well-defined,  small,  usually  fusiform  knots 
containing  granules  of  lime.  Thickenings  are  not  uncommon 
in  the  capillitium  of  various  species  of  Didymium,  but  lime  is 
never  present. 

Distrib.  Temperate  and  tropical  regions.     Species  50. 

Sub-Gen.  Didymium. 

Threads  of  capillitium  almost  simple,  or  bifurcating  at  acute 
angles,  here  and  there  connected  laterally,  but  not  forming  a 
uniform  net  throughout  the  capillitium. 

A.     Sporangium  stipitate. 
(Sessile  forms  occur  in  D.  squamulosum  and  D.  farinaceum.) 

*  Spores  warted. 

Didymium  farinaceum,  Schrad.  (figs.  29—35).  t  meWo^ww1 

Sporangium  hemispherical,  usually  a  little  depressed,  more 
or  less  umbilicate  below,  at  first  white  with  a  continuous  crust 
of  lime,  which  soon  becomes  broken  up  into  white  glistening 
granules  scattered  on  the  inner  dark,  wrinkled  wall ;  stem 


220          A  Monograph  of  the  frfyxogastres. 

variable  in  length,  "blackish  or  rufous,  wrinkled  longitudinally, 
equal  or  slightly  attenuated  upwards,  expanding  at  the  base 
into  a  rudimentary  hypothallus;  columella  hemispherical  or 
depressed,  covered  with  the  .inner  dark  Irown  wrinkled  skin; 
lacunose,  the  cavities  filled  with  amorphous  masses  of  lime; 
capillitium  copious,  threads  springing  from  the  columella,  2 — 3  p 
thick,  almost  equal,  dividing  in  a  dichotomous  manner,  and 
becoming  attached  to  the  inner  wall  of  the  sporangium,  the 
branches  often  connected  laterally,  and  often  more  or  less 
studded  with  very  minute  granules  of  lime,  varying  from  colour- 
less, through  pale  brown  to  dingy  violet ;  spores  globose,  dirty 
brownish-purple,  minutely  warted,  10 — 13  /u  diameter. 

a.  genuinum.  Stem  blackish  or  brown,  as  long  or  longer 
than  the  height  of  the  sporangium. 

/3.  subsessile.  Stem  short,  almost  or  altogether  concealed  in 
the  umbilicus  of  the  sporangium.  Sporangia  solitary  or  more 
or  less  confluent. 

y.  nigrum.  An  abnormal  form  without  lime,  hence  the 
sporangium  from  the  first  blackish.  Stem  short. 

Didymium  farinaceiim,  Host.,  Mon.,  p.  154,  figs.  128,  171, 
174;  Cooke,  Myx.  Brit.,  p.  31,  figs.  128,  171,  174;  Sacc.,  Syll., 
1039 ;  Schroeter,  p.  121 ;  Raunk.,  Myx.  Dan.,  p.  89. 

Didymium  lobatum,  Fr.  (specimen  named  by  Fries,  in  Herb. 
Berk.,  n.  10753). 

E'xsicc. — Jack,  Leiner  u.  Sitzenb.,  424;  Cooke,  Fung.  Brit., 
Ed.  II.,  521;  Fuckel,  Fung.  Rhen.,  1461;  Klotzsch.,  (Rab.) 
Herb.  Myc.,  138;  Rab.,  Fung.  Eur.,  369. 

On  wood,  bark,  leaves,  living  moss,  &c. 

Britain  (Chislehurst,  Kew,  Carlisle,  Scarboro',  Durham,  Lin- 
lithgow,  Appin) ;  Sweden ;  Germany ;  Bavaria ;  France ;  United 
States;  S.  W.  Australia;  Bonin  Islands. 

Sporangia  *5 — 1  mm.  across,  sometimes  lobed,  a  character 
which  gave  origin  to  the  spurious  species  D.  lobatum;  some- 
times two  or  several  sporangia  coalesce,  the  stems  remaining 
distinct.  The  stem  varies  considerably  in  length,  even  in  the 
same  group,  thus  showing  the  small  amount  of  value  to  be 
attached  to  Rostafinski's  forms;  in  some  specimens  the  stem 


Didymium.  221 

is  three  times  as  long  as  the  height  of  the  sporangium,  in 
others  so  short  as  not  to  project  beyond  the  umbilicus  or 
depression  at  the  base  of  the  sporangium.  The  threads  of  the 
capillitium  are  often  flexuous.  The  columella  is  at  first  dusky 
owing  to  being  covered  with  the  dark  inner  skin  of  the  spor- 
angium, but  in  old  plants  this  pellicle  frequently  disappears, 
leaving  a  white  mass  of  lime,  hence  the  columella  appears 
white. 

(Rostafinski's  Synonyms.) 

Sphaerocephalus  niger,  Hall,  t.  1,  f.  2  (1742). 

Trickia,  Hall,  No.  2160,  t.  48,  f.  2  (1768).  ' 

Mucor  sphaerocephalus,  Batsch.,  p.  157  (1783). 

Clafhrus  sphaerocephalus,  Rehl..(1786). 

Trichia  glolosa,  Vill.,  Fl.  Dauph.,  1061  (1789). 

Eeticularia  hemispherica,  Bull.,  t.  446,  f.  1  (1791). 

Trichia  compressa,  Trent,  p.  229  (1797). 

Trichia  sphaerica,  Trent,  p.  230  (1797). 

Trichia  depressa,  Trent,  p.  231  (1797). 

Physarum  melanospermum,  Pers.  Disp.,  p.  8  (1797). 

Didymium  farinaceum,  Schrad.,  t.  3,  f.  6  (1797) ;  Engl.  Flor., 

v.,  313;  Cooke,  Hdbk.,  No.  1123;  Fung.  Brit.,  Ed.  II.,  521. 
Trichia  sphaerocephala,  Sow.,  t.  240  (1799). 
Trichia  farinacea,  Poir.,  Encycl.,  viii.,  53. 
Physarum  farinaceum,  Pers.  Syn.,  174  (1801). 
Physarum  cinerascens,  Schum.  Saell.,  1426  (1803). 
Physarum  depressum,  Schum.  Saell.,  1439  (1803). 
Physarum  globosum,  Schum.  Saell.,  1442  (1803). 
Physarum  oxyacantJiae,  Schum.  Saell.,  1427  (1803). 
Physarum  cinereum,  multis  ? 
Physarum  clavus,  Link,  Diss.,  i.,  27  (1809). 
Physarum  sinuosum,  Link,  Diss.,  i.,  27  (1809). 
Physarum  capitatum,  Link,  Diss.,  i.,  27  (1809). 
Diderma  muscicola,  Link,  Diss.,  i.,  27  (1809). 
Didymium  capitatum,  Link,  Diss.,  iii.,  27  (1816). 
Didymium  lobatum,  Nees,  f.  104  (1817);  Cooke,  Hdbk.,  No. 

1129. 


222  A  Monograph  of  the  Myxogastres. 

Didymium  physarioides,  Klotzsch. 

Strongylium  minor,  Fr.,  Cast.,  p.  9  (1817). 

Physarum  melanopus,  Fr.,  Gast.,  p.  23  (1817). 

Conium  lobatum,  Spr.,  Syst.,  iv.,  529  (1827). 

Didymium  marginatum,  Fr.,  S.  M.,  iii.,  116  (1829). 

Didymium  melanopus,  Fr.,  S.  M.,  iii.,  114  (1829);  Berk.,  Ann. 

N.  H.,  No.  382;  Cooke,  Hdbk.,  No.  1118. 
Didymium  hemispheric/urn,  Fr.,  S.  M.,  iii.,  115  (1829). 
Physarum  nigrum,  Fr.,  S.  M.,  iii.,  146  (1829);  B.  and  Br., 

N.  H.,  No.  1598;  Grevillea,  v.,  p.  12. 
Cionium  farinaccum,  Link,  Hdbk.,  iii.,  416'  (1833). 
Didymium  filamentosum,  Wallr.,  2187  (1833). 


Didymium  affine,  Raunk.       ^vMnv*1 

Sporangia  spherical-hemispherical,  stipitate.  Stein  thin,  of 
equal  length  or  longer  than  the  sporangium,  expanded  into  a 
circular  hypothallus  at  the  base,  bright  brown.  Wall  grey, 
without  lime,  under  the  microscope  colourless.  Columella  glo- 
bose-semiglobose,  with  the  colour  of  the  stem  or  brighter. 
ThreaTfe  of  the  capillitium  nearly  hyaline,  expanded  into  numer- 
ous shortly  fusiform,  brownish-violet  swellings.  Spores  smooth 
or  delicately  warted,  8  —  9  /i  diameter. 

Didymium  affine,  Raunk.,  Myx.  Dan.,  p.  109  (in  English), 
Tab.  5,  figs.  3,  4. 

On  germinating  seeds  in  laboratory. 

Copenhagen. 

An  unusual  Didymium  certainly  in  the  wall  being  without 
lime.  Possibly  abnormal. 


Didymium  Fuckelianum.  Rost. 

Sporangia  hemispherical,  umbilicate  below,  stipitate,  stem 
whitish  with  gilvous  or  brownish  shades,  strongly  plicate  longi- 
tudinally, lime  on  the  wall  in  the  form  of  stellate  crystals,  after 
removal  of  the  lime  the  wall  is  covered  with  unsymmetrical  brown 
or  violet  spots  separated  by  colourless  veins;  stem  entering  the 
sporangium  as  a  distinct  clavatc  or  applanatc  brownish  columella, 


Didymium.  223 

not  at  all  adherent  to  lower  part  of  the  sporangial  wall,  surface 
covered  with  protuberances  which  give  origin  to  the  threads  of 
the  capillitium,  threads  violet,  with  numerous  irregular  pro- 
tuberances; spores  lilac,  delicately  warted,  9 — 11  p.  diameter. 

Didymium  Fuckelianum,  Rost.,  Mon.,  p.  161,  f.  134;  Cooke, 
Myx.  Brit.,  f.  134;  Sacc.,  Syll.,No.  1307. 

On  twigs  and  pine  leaves.     Germany. 

•(Rostafinski's  Synonyms.) 

Didymium  styuamulosum,  Fckl.,  Symb.  Myc.,  p.  341,  non  A. 

et.  Sz.  (1569). 
Didymium  Fuckelianum,  Rost.,  Fckl.,  S.  M.,  2,  Nach.,  p.  73 

(1873). 

Didymium  praecox,  De  Bary.  ^.  id  \)(tVYW  \o*\)m  ^t 

Sporangia  irregularly  hemispherical,  wall  double,  the  outer 
white,  strongly  rugulose,  after  maturity  breaking  away  in  small 
colourless  patches,  covered  with  minute  stellate  crystals;  inner 
wall  greyish  lead-colour,  rigid,  with  small  irregular  granules  of 
lime,  yellowish  flesh-colour  after  removal  of  the  lime ;  stem 
generally  short,  yellowish  Jlesh-colour,  with  delicate  oblong 
striations,  passing  into  the  peridium  as  an  irregularly  spherical, 
often  applanate  yellowish  flesh-coloured  prolongation ;  threads  of 
capillitium  very  delicate,  solid,  colourless,  or  some  violet  with 
many  irregularly  spherical  protuberances  below  the  acute  angles 
of  the  bifurcations,  combined  constantly  by  the  branches  and 
transverse  threads  to  form  a  network ;  spores  subviolet,  mem- 
brane very  rigid,  with  a  few  scattered  short  spines,  8 — 9  /u, 
diameter. 

Didymium  praecox,  De  Bary,  in  Rab.,  Fung.  Eur.,  n.  367; 
Rost.,  Mon,  p.  163;  Sacc.,  Syll.,  1306. 

Germany. 

Didymium  squamulosum,  Fr.  (figs.  46 — 52). 

Sporangia  subglobose,  slightly  flattened  below,  and  more  or 
less  umbilicate,  stipitate  or  sessile,  coat  of  lime  at  first  consist- 
ing of  a  continuous  white  crust  of  minute  granules,  which  soon 


224  A  Monograph  of  the  Myxogastres. 

becomes  broken  up  into  large,  irregular,  persistent  patches ;  mass 
of  spores  brownish-black;  stem  white,  equal  in  length  to  spo- 
rangium or  much  shorter,  slightly  rugulose ;  columclla  white  or 
dirty  ochraceous,  large,  subglobose ;  threads  of  capillitium  pale 
or  colourless,  about  equal  throughout  their  length,  2 — 3  f*  thick, 
branching  at  acute  angles  and  connected  laterally,  forming  a 
net,  sometimes  flexuous ;  spores  globose,  dingy  violet,  minutely 
verrucose,  8 — 11  /x  diameter. 

Didymium  hypnophilum,  Mass.,  Journ.  R.  Micr.  Soc.,  v.,  5. 
p.  7571 

Didymium  ncglectum,  Berk.,  Linn.  Soc.  Journ.,  v.,  14,  p.  83 ; 
Sacc.,  1325. 

a.  genuinum.  Sporangia  stipitate,  stem  elongated  or  short, 
and  almost  lost  in  the  umbilicus  of  the  sporangium. 

/3.  scssilis.  Sporangia  sessile,  distinct,  or  sometimes  several 
confluent,  when  the  columella  becomes  elongated. 

Didymium  squamulosum,  var.  genuinum,  Host.,  Mon.,  p.  159, 
f.  148;  Cooke,  Myx.  Brit.,  p.  33,  f.  148;  Schroeter,  p.  122; 
Raunk.,  p.  88 ;  Sacc.,  Syll.,  1301. 

Exq&.— Syd.,  Myc.  March.,  1387,  1388;  Cke.,  Fung.  Brit., 
Ed.  II,  613;  Rab.,  Fung.  Eur.,  813;  Rab.-Wint.,  Fung.  Eur., 
2969;  Roum.,  Fung.  Gall.,  1212;  Fuckel,  Fung.  Rhen.,  2497; 
Syd.,  Myc.  March.,  396  (as  Didymium  farinaceuni) ;  and  492  (as 
Didymium  lierbarum,  Fr.) ;  Ellis,  N.  Amer.  Fung.,  1216 ;  Roum., 
Fung.  Gall.,  1684  (as  Didymium  farinaceum) ;  Klotzsch  (Rab.), 
Herb.  Myc.,  455  (as  Didymium  hemisphericum). 

On  rotten  wood,  leaves,  moss,  &c. 

About  1  mm.  high,  distinguished  by  the  calcareous  crust  of 
the  sporangium  becoming  broken  up  into  large  irregular  patches, 
separated  from  each  other  by  the  blackish  inner  layer  and  the 
pale  columella.  Most  closely  allied  to  Didymium  virgineum. 
For  distinctive  characters  see  under  the  latter. 

Britain  (Kew,  Wothorpe,  King's  Cliffe,  Norwich,  Scarboro', 
Carlisle,  Glamis,  Appin,  N.  B.);  France;  Italy;  Germany; 
Switzerland;  Belgium;  U.  States;  Cuba;  Ceylon;  Australia; 
Tasmania;  New  Zealand. 


Didymium.  225 


Far.  costatum,  Mass. 

Sporangia  covered  uniformly  with  minute  particles  of  lime, 
not  becoming  broken  up  into  large,  distinct  patches;  stem  white, 
variable  in  length,  expanding  at  the  base  into  a  small  hypo- 
thallus  with  prominent  radiating  ridges.  Stem  sometimes  very 
short,  sunk  in  the  umbilicus  or  entirely  absent. 

Didymium  squamulosum,  ft.  leucopus,  y.  costatum,  Host.,  Mon., 
p.  159 ;  Cooke,  Myx.  Brit.,  p.  33 ;  Sacc.,  Syll,  no.  1301. 

JExsicc. — Rab.,  Fung.  Eur.,  367  (as  Didymium  praecox,  De 
Bary) ;  Fuckel,  Fung.  Rhen.,  2690  (as  Didymium  squamulosum 
y.  costatum} ;  Rab.-Wint.,  Fung.  Eur.,  2675  (as  Didymium  Nea- 
politanum,  Ces.). 

On  leaves,  wood,  &c. 

Distinguished  from  the  type  by  the  white  crust  of  the  pileus 
not  becoming  broken  up  into  patches,  and  by  the  markedly 
costate  hypothallus.  Somewhat  resembling  Didymium  depres- 
sum,  Fr.,  which  however  is  readily  distinguished  by  the  much 
larger  and  more  coarsely  warted  spores. 

Britain  (Epping  Forest,  Chiselhurst,  Kew,  Carlisle) ;  France ; 
Germany;  Austria. 

(Rostafmski's  Synonyms.) 

Eeticularia  hemispherica,  Bull.,  p.  93  (1791). 
Diderma  sguamulosum,  A.  and  S.,  t.  4,  f.  5  (1805). 
Didymium  globosum,  v.  stipitatum,  Schwarz.,  Ac.   Holm.,  p. 

114  (1815). 

Licca  stipitata,  D.  C.,  Fl.  Fr.;No.  670  (1815). 
Tubulina  pedicellata,  Poir.,  Ency.,  v.,  p.  373. 
Cionium  farinaceum,  Spr.,  Syst.,  iv.,  528  (1827). 
Didymium  herbarum,  Fr.,  S.  M.,  iii.,  120  (1829). 
Didymium  leitcopus,  Fr.,  S.  M.,  iii.,  121  (1829);  Cooke,  Hdbk., 

No.  1127. 

Didymium  costatum,  Fr.,  S.  M.,  iii.,  118  (1829). 
Didymium  liceoides,  Duby,  Bot.  Gall.,  ii.,  864  (1830). 
Didymium  Jilamcntosum,  Wallr.,  Fl.  Germ.,  No.  2187  (1833). 


226  A  Monograph  of  the  Myxogastres. 

Didymium  squamulosum,  Fr.,  S.   M.,  iii.,  118 ;   Eng.  Fl.,  v., 

312;  Cke.,  Hdbk.,  No.  1122. 

Didymium  neglectum,  B.  and  Br.,  Ceylon  Fungi,  No.  747. 
Didymium  australe,  Berk.,  Hdbk.,  Flor.  Nov.  Zealand,  p.  191. 

Var.  virgineum,  Mass. 

Scattered,  or  in  clusters  of  two  or  three ;  sporangia  subglobose, 
flattened  and  slightly  umbilicate  below,  external  crust  of  lime 
pure  white,  rugulose  and  crumpled  but  continuous ;  stem  white, 
stout,  equal  to  sporangium  or  shorter,  expanding  at  the  base 
into  a  small  wrinkled  hypothallus;  mass  of  capillitium  and 
spores  blackish;  columella  subglobose  or  hemispherical,  white  or 
ycllmvish,  rugulose;  threads  of  capillitium  copious,  radiating 
from  the  columella  to  the  wall  of  the  sporangium,  3 — 4  p.  thick 
at  the  base,  a  little  thinner  upwards,  often  flexuous,  sparingly 
branching  at  an  acute  angle,  and  sometimes  connected  laterally, 
with  scattered,  small,  elliptical  swellings,  pale  dingy  violet  or 
brownish,  sometimes  almost  colourless ;  spores  globose,  epispore 
rather  thick,  brownish -violet,  minutely  verruculose,  10 — 13  JA 
diameter. 

On  leaves,  wood,  &c. 

Britain  (Scarborough,  Carlisle,  Epping  Forest) ;  Italy. 
(Type  in  Herb.,  Kew.) 

Sporangia  1 — ]  '5  mm.  diameter.  The  outer  coat  of  lime  is 
very  much  crumpled,  with  prominent  irregular  ridges,  but  does 
not  become  broken  up  into  detached  particles  as  is  usual  in 
the  genus  Didymium. 

Didymium  microcarpon,  Rost.  (figs.  44,  45).  b.ni<|r<fes 

Sporangia  globose,  at  first  with  an  external  continuous  white 
crust  of  lime,  which  soon  becomes  broken  up  into  minute 
glistening  particles,  resting  on  the  inner  dark  membrane,  more 
or  less  umbilicate  below,  stem  slander,  slightly  attenuated  upwards, 
blackish  or  rufous,  longitudinally  rugulose,  expanding  at  the 
base  into  a  small  subcircular  hypothallus,  straight  or  slightly 
curved  above,  generally  about  twice  the  length  of  the  sporangium  ; 


Didymium.  227 

columella  small,  spherical,  pale  ochraccous,  internally  traversed 
by  irregular  strands  giving  it  a  cellular  appearance,  cavities 
containing  crystals  of  lime;  capillitium  radiating  from  the 
columella  to  the  wall  of  the  sporangium,  threads  about  equal, 
2 — 3  p.  thick,  repeatedly  forked  and  joining  laterally,  sometimes 
flexuous  and  rough  in  parts  with  minute  granules  of  lime, 
varying  from  colourless,  through  pale  brown  to  dirty  violet; 
spores  globose,  very  minutely  vcrrnculose,  brownish-purple,  5 — 7  /x 
diameter. 

a.  nigripes.     Stem  blackish. 

/3.  rufipes.     Stem  rufous  or  yellowish. 

Didymium  microcarpon,  Host.,  Mon.,  p.  157,  f.  133, 177 ;  Cooke, 
Myx.  Brit.,  p.  32,  f.  133,  177 ;  Sacc.,  Syll.,  1316 ;  Eaunk.,  p.  87. 

Exsicc. — Ellis,  N.  Amer.  Fung,,  1393  (as  Didymium  micro- 
carpon, Fr.),  var.  nigripes;  Ellis,  N.  Amer.  Fung.,  412  (as 
Didymium  xanthopus}, 

On  twigs,  leaves,  living  mosses,  &c. 

Plants  2'5 — 3  mm.  high,  lumps  of  lime  on  the  sporangium 
in  the  form  of  stellate  crystals;  umbilicus  at  base  of  spor- 
angium sometimes  very  slight;  columella  small  but  rather 
prominent;  the  capillitium  varies  considerably,  sometimes 
copious,  anastomosing,  various,  inclined  to  be  rough  here  and 
there  with  minute  granules  of  lime,  or  even  nodulose ;  at  other 
times  scanty,  colourless,  and  threads  very  thin.  So  far  as  I 
have  had  an  opportunity  of  ascertaining,  the  pale-stemmed 
form  is  confined  to  living  mosses. 

Britain  (Kew,  King's  Cliffe,  Carlisle,  Shere,  Forden,  Edin- 
boro',  Glamis,  N.  B.);  Sweden;  Denmark;  France;  United 
States;  Ceylon. 

(Rostafinski's  Synonyms.) 

Lycoperdon  stipitatum,  Retz.,  Vet.  de  Handl.  (1769). 
Trichia  hemispherica,  Trent.,  p.  228  (1797). 
Physarum  nigripes,  Lk.,  Diss.,  1,  27  (1809) ;  Ditm.,  t.  42. 
Trichia  alba,  Purt.,  Midi.  Fl.,  iii.,  1113  (1817). 
Cionium  xanthopus,  Ditm.,  t.  43  (1817);  Nees,  f.  106. 
Physarum  microcarpon,  Fr.,  Gast.,  p.  23  (1818). 


228  A  Monograph  of  the  Myxogastres. 

Didymium   lobatum,   /3.   stipitatum,   Somm.,   Fl.   Lapp.,   210 

(1825). 
Didymium  nigripes,  Fr.,  S.  M.,  iii.,  119  (1829) ;  Eng.  Fl.,  v., 

313;  Cooke,  Hdbk.,  No.  1124. 
Didymium  xanthopus,  Fr.,  S.  M.,  iii.,  120  (1829);  Berk.,  Ann. 

N.  H.,  iii. ;  Cooke,  Hdbk.,  No.  1126. 
Didymium  iridis,  Fr.,  S.  M.,  iii.,  120  (1829). 
Didymium  microcephalum,  Chev.,  Byss.,  f.  11  (1837). 
Didymium  melanopus,  Wallr.,  Fl.  Germ.,  2184  (1837). 
Didymium  Wallrothii,  Rabh.,  Fl.  Or.,  2289  (1844). 
Didymium  porphyropus,  D.  R.  and  M.,  Fl.  Alg.,  409  (1846). 
Didymium  megalosporum,  B.  and  C.,  Grev.,  No.  318. 

Didymium  macrospermum,  Rost.  I,  .tq\»awM»\Oiv«> 

Sporangia  spherical  or  hemispherical,  very  much  flattened 
vertically,  umbilicate  below,  grey,  stipitate,  membrane  of  spor- 
angium colourless  or  pale  brownish;  stem  generally  longer 
than  peridium,  dilated  at  the  base  into  a  distinct  discoid 
hypothallus,  attenuated  above,  strongly  plicate  longitudinally, 
srwi'Mvhite  or  yellmoish-white ;  columella  versiform,  discoid,  &c., 
threads  of  capillitium  simple,  rarely  branching,  at  acute  angles, 
colourless  or  pale  brown ;  spores  subviolaceous,  strongly  aculeate, 
12 — 13  jx  diameter. 

Didymium  macrospermum,  Rost.,  Mon.,  p.  166;  Schroeter, 
p.  122;  Sacc.,  Syll,  n.  1304. 

On  trunks.     Germany. 

Gregarious;  stem  three  or  more  times  longer  than  the 
sporangium,  thinner  above,  much  wrinkled,  ridges  membran- 
aceous,  pellucid,  peridium  thin,  sometimes  dehiscing  by  be- 
coming ruptured  at  the  base,  and  almost,  all  disappearing;  at 
other  times  torn  into  shreds  which  persist.  Appears  to  be 
allied  to  Didymium  squamulosum,  var.  costatum,  and  distin- 
guished by  the  flattened  sporangium,  long  stem,  and  larger' 
spores. 

(Rostafinski's  Synonyms.) 
(?)  Trichia  alata,  Trent.,  1.  c.,  p.  228  (1797). 


Didymium.  229 

(?)  Physarum  alatum,  Fr.,  1.  c.,  iii.,  p.  132  (1829). 
Didymium  costatum,  Fckl.,  Sym.  Myc.  I.,  Nach.,  p.  339. 


Didymium  discoideum,  Rost. 

Sporangia  discoid,  almost  sessile,  umbilicate,  inferior  part  of 
wall  violet,  superior  spotted,  with  irregular  pellucid  veins, 
breaking  away  after  maturity  in  small  patches  ;  stem  from  its 
shortness  scarcely  apparent,  hid  in  the  umbilicus,  dilated  at  the 
base  into  a  circular  hypothallus  ;  columella  discoid  or  hemi- 
spherical, like  the  stem  yellowish  flesh-colour  ;  threads  of  capil- 
litium  flexuous,  rarely  forking,  bay,  tips  colourless;  spores 
strongly  warted,  blackish-violet,  11  —  13  /u,  diameter. 

Didymium  discoideum,  Rost.,  Mon.,  p.  162;  Sacc.,  Syll.,  no. 
1305. 

Germany. 

*  *  Spores  smooth. 

Didymium  radiatum,  B.  and  C.  (figs.  68  —  72).  ti. 

Scattered,  sporangia  vertically  compressed,  not  umbilicate,  but 
sometimes  slightly  depressed  below,  dark  grey,  with  crowded, 
small,  white,  innate  patches  of  lime,  dehiscing  irregularly  ; 
stem  longer  than  height  of  sporangium,  slightly  attenuated 
upwards,  white  or  pale  grey,  expanding  into  a  small,  circular 
hypothallus,  longitudinally  costate,  the  ribs  passing  in  a  radiate 
manner  into  the  hypothallus;  columella  brownish,  much  com- 
pressed ;  capillitium  abundant,  radiating  from  the  columella  to 
the  wall  of  the  sporangium,  threads  thin,  brownish-lilac,  some- 
times forked;  spores  globose,  lilac,  smooth,  8  —  10  jot  diameter. 

Didymium  radiatum,  B.  and  C.,  Journ.  Linn,  Soc.,  vol.  x, 
p.  348  ;  Sacc.,  Syll.,  n.  1328. 

(Type  in  Herb.  Berk.,  Kew,  no.  10765.) 

Didymium  commutabile,  B.  and  Br.,  Journ.  Linn.  Soc.,  v.  xiv., 
p.  83;  Sacc.,  Syll.,  n.  1300;  Rost.,  App.,  p.  21. 

(Type  in  Herb.  Berk,  n.  10766.)      . 

Didymium  lotryoides,  Berk,  in  Herb. 

/.  gcnuinum.  Simple,  scattered  ;  stem  usually  longer  than 
sporangium. 


230          A  Monograph  of  the  Myxogastres. 

f.  fasciculatum.  Three  to  five  sporangia  confluent,  supported 
on  a  common  stem. 

On  wood,  leaves,  moss,  &c.     Cuba ;  N.  Zealand  ;  Ceylon. 

Remarkable  for  the  circular,  sharply  limited  hypothallus 
with  prominent,  regularly  radiating  ribs,  resembling  the  hy- 
menium  of  a  small  agaric.  Resembling  superficially  some  forms 
of  Didymium  squamulosum,  var.  costatum. 


Didymium  clavus,  Rost.  (figs.  53,  54). 

Sporangia  very  much  depressed,  slightly  convex  above,  plane 
below,  lime  sprinkled  in  fine  crystals  on  the  surface  of  the  dark 
membrane ;  stem  short,  blackish-brown,  more  or  less  longitudinally 
rugulose ;  columclla  absent ;  mass  of  spores  blackish  ;  threads  of 
capillitium  3 — 4  /*  thick  at  base,  slightly  tapering,  sparingly 
forked  at  acute  angles,  and  sometimes  laterally  connected  and 
furnished  with  small  ring-like  dark-coloured  thickenings,  pale 
brown  to  dirty  violet ;  spores  globose,  smooth,  dingy  lilac,  6 — 8  fx 
diameter. 

Diftymium  clavus,  Rost.,  Hon.,  p.  153;  Cpoke,  Hdbk.,  p.  30; 
Raunk.,  p.  87  ;  Schroeter,  p.  121 ;  Sacc.,  Syll.,  1299. 

On  twigs,  leaves,  &c.  Britain  (Wey bridge,  Kew,  Orton  Wood, 
Leicester;  Epping  Forest,  Forden,  Linlithgow);  France;  Bel- 
gium ;  Germany ;  United  States ;  Canada  ;  Egypt ;  Ceylon. 

Sporangia  scattered,  1 — 1*5  mm.  across  when  circular,  some- 
times irregular  and  larger.  Remarkable  for  the  much  flattened, 
pileus-shaped  sporangia. 

(Rostafinski's  Synonyms.) 

Reticularia  hcmispheriea,  Bull.,  t.  446,  f.  2  (1791). 
Physarum  davws,  A.  and  S.,  t.  2,  f.  2  (1805). 
Didymium  mclanopus,  ft.  clamis,  Fr.,  S.  M.,  iii.,  114  (1829); 
B.  and  Br.,  Ann.  N.  H,  No.  110 ;  Cooke,  Hdbk.,  No.  1118,  /3. 
Didymium  hemispJiericum,  Wallr.,  Fl.  Germ.,  2192  (1833). 
Didymium  claims,  Rabh.,  Fl.  Crypt.,  2282  (1844). 
Didymium  clavus,  Berk.,  Eng.  FL,  v.,  p.  314. 


Didymium.  231 


Didymium  neglectum,  Mass.  (nov.  sp.) ;  (fig.  207).  ' 

Sporangia  globose  or  slightly  depressed,  flattened  or  some- 
times slightly  umbilicate  below,  stipitate ;  wall  single,  at  first 
with  a  continuous,  rugose,  white  crust  of  lime,  which  at  maturity 
becomes  broken  up  into  minute,  persistent  particles;  stem 
equal  to  or  longer  than  height  of  sporangium,  erect,  slightly 
attenuated  upwards,  black,  longitudinally  wrinkled,  expanding 
at  the  base  into  a  small  hypothallus;  columella  circular  in 
outline,  much  depressed,  placentiform,  with  a  distinct  margin, 
covering  the  base  of  the  sporangium,  ruguloee,  pale  brownish- 
lilac,  capillitium  dense,  threads  radiating  from  the  columella, 
lilac-brown,  becoming  colourless  towards  the  tips,  bifurcating, 
now  and  then  anasmosing  laterally;  spores  globose,  smooth, 
1 — 9  //.  diameter. 

On  wood.     Fairmount  Park,  Philadelphia,  U.  S. 

Solitary  or  in  scattered   clusters   of  2 — 6  specimens,  about 

1  mm.  high;   superficially  resembling  Didymium  farinaceum, 
but  quite  distinct  in  the  smooth  spores,  which  only  show  vague 
indications  of  roughness  when  magnified  1200  diameters.     The 
columella  is  very  characteristic,  being  broad  and  flattened  with 
a   distinct   margin ;    at    maturity   the   sporangium   falls   away 
except  a  minute  frill  round  the  lower  edge  of  the  columella, 
which,  with  the  stem,  in  this  condition  resembles  a  little  table. 
The  original  specimens  were  found   mixed  with  specimens  of 
Tilmadochc  oblonga,  communicated  by  Mr.  Harold  Wingate,  of 
Philadelphia. 

Didymium  Barter!,  Mass.  (n.  sp.).  V 

Gregarious ;  sporangia  spherico-depressed,  slightly  umbilicate 
below,  stipitate,  cretaceo^(,s  layer  pure  white,  rugulose,  for  a  long 
time  persistent,  then  breaking  away  in  small  granules;  stem 
elongated,  slender,  attenuated  upwards,  pure  white,  strongly 
wrinkled  longitudinally ;  columella  small,  globose,  white ;  mass 
of  spores  blackish-purple;  capillitium  copious,  threads  about 

2  i*.  thick,  equal,  sometimes  flexuous,  forked  at  an  acute  angle 


232          A  Monograph  of  the  Myxogastres. 

and  combined  laterally  to  form  a  flaccid,  irregular  net  ;  spores 
globose,  smooth,  pale  dingy  lilac,  10  —  11  JJL  diameter. 
(Type  in  Herb.,  Kew.) 

On  moss.     W.  Africa  (Niger  Expedition,  Barter). 

A  very  beautiful  and  distinct  species,  known  at  once  by  the 
snow-white  sporangium,  stem,  and  columella,  and  the  smooth 
spores.  Plant  3  mm.  high;  stem  2'5  mm.  high,  sporangium 
'5  mm.  high,  a  little  more  in  diameter. 

B.     Sporangium  sessile. 

(In  D.  spumarioides  and  D.  physarioides,  a  very  short  stem  is 
sometimes  present.) 


Didymium  Alexandrowiczii,  De  Bary  and  Rost. 

Sporangia  sessile,  deformed,  not  truncate,  several  often  collected 
in  little  clusters,  rugulose,  granulose;  columella  absent;  threads 
brownish,  colourless  at  both  ends,  simple  or  bifurcating  and 
laterally  connected  ;  spores  smooth,  obscure  violet,  10  —  12  /u, 
diameter. 

Didymium  Chondrodcrma,  De  Bary  and  Rost.,  in  Alex.  Stroz., 
p.  89. 

Chondrioderma  Alexandrowiczii,  Rost.,  Mon.,  p.  169,  f.  176  ; 
Sacc.,  Syll.,  1253;  Cooke,  Myx.  Brit.,  f.  176. 

On  wood      Britain  (Kew)  ;  Poland. 


Didymium  spumarioides,  Fr.  I  x 

Sporangia  substipitate  or  sessile,  scattered  or  densely  crowded 
on  a  well-developed,  white  or  pale  flesh-coloured  hypothallus  con- 
taining much  lime  ;  wall  of  sporangium  white  or  grey,  crust  of 
lime  pulverulent;  columella  variable,  smooth  or  irregularly 
rugulose,  white  or  pale  flesh-colour,  sometimes  almost  obsolete  ; 
threads  of  capillitium  about  equal,  1*5  —  2  p.  thick,  repeatedly 
bifurcating  and  connected  laterally  to  form  a  net,  colourless  or 
dingy  lilac,  spores  globose,  minutely  ivarted,  9  —  12  /x  diameter. 

Didymium  spumarioides,  Fr.,  Symb.  Gast.,  20. 

Chondrioderma  spumanoides,  Rost.,  Mon.,  p.  173,  f.  142  —  145, 


Didymium.  233 

151  ;  Cooke,  Myx.,  p.  38,  f.  142—145,  151  ;  Schroeter,  p.  123  ; 
Sacc.,  Syll.,  n.  1269. 

Chondrioderma  stromateum,  Rost.,  Mon.  Append.,  p.  18,  f.  151. 

Diderma  farinaceum,  Peck,  26th  Report  State  Mus.,  N.  Y., 
p.  74. 

Exsicc.  —  Fckl.,  F.  Rhen.,  2495  (as  Carcerina  spumarioides, 
Fr.)  ;  Rab.,  F.  Eur.,  432  (as  Carcerina  spumarioides,  Fr.)  ;  Cke., 
F.  Brit,  Ed.  II.,  825  ;  Roum.,  Fung.  Gall,  1682. 

On  living  or  dead  leaves,  moss,  &c. 

Britain  (Highgate,  Shere,  Scarboro')  ;  France  ;  Germany  ; 
Sweden  ;  Belgium  ;  Italy  ;  United  States  ;  Australia. 

The  present  species  was  placed  by  Rostafinski  in  the  genus 
Chondrioderma,  from  which  it  differs,  according  ta  our  inter- 
pretation of  the  genus,  in  the  pulverulent,  instead  of  porcelain- 
like  coat  of  lime.  Very  variable  in  colour  and  size  of  the 
columella,  but  well  marked  by  the  highly-developed  hypo- 
thallus,  which  sometimes  becomes  so  thick  as  to  suggest  the 
idea  of  a  stroma.  Sporangia  from  *5  —  1'5  mm.  diam.,  circular 
or  irregularly  angular  from  mutual  pressure,  sometimes  the 
stroma,  when  very  thick,  forms  a  short  stem-like  projection; 
the  colour  of  the  stroma  and  columella  varies  from  chalk-white 
through  pale  tints  to  pale  flesh-colour. 

(Rostafmski's  Synonyms.) 

Spumaria  physarioides,  Pers.  Syn.,  163  (1801). 

Physarum  didermoides,  Fries,  Herb. 

Spumaria   alba,  Schum.  Saell.,  No.  1414  (1803);   Fl.  Dan., 

t.  1798,  f.  2. 

Didymium  spumarioides,  Fr.,  Symb.  Gast.,  20  (1818). 
Physarum  stromatium,  Link,  Hdbk.,  iii.,  409  (1833). 
Carcerina  spumarioides,  Fr.,  S.  V.  S.,  451  (1849). 
Diderma  spumarioides,  Fr.,  S.  M.,  iii.,  p.  104  ;  Eng.  FL,  vol.  v., 

p.  311;  Cke.,  Hdbk.,  No.  1109. 


Didymium  physarioides,  Rost.    '*yn»      * 

Sporangia    cylindric-oblong,    often    crowded    arid    deformed, 
seated  on  a  well-developed  hypothallus,  sessile  or  with  a  short 


234  A  Monograph  of  the  Myxogastres. 

stem,  wall  dark  grey,  at  first  with  granules  of  lime ;  columella 
irregular,  more  or  less  confluent  and  common  to  all  the  sporangia ; 
threads  of  capillitium  2 — 3  \J.  thick  at  base,  with  but  few 
bifurcations,  with  numerous  fusiform  or  discoid  dingy  purple 
thickenings,  spores  globose,  brownish  purple,  ivartcd,  12 — 14  /* 
diameter. 

Didymium  physarioides,  Host,  Mon.,  p.  158,  fig.  147 ;  Cooke, 
Myx.  Brit,  p.  33,  f.  147 ;  Sacc.,  Syll.,  no.  1311.  • 

On  nioss  and  wood.  Britain  (King's  Cliffe,  Carlisle);  Ger- 
many ;  Sweden ;  United  States ;  Cape  of  Good  Hope. 

Often  superficially  resembling  Physarum  didermoidcs. 

Didymium  serpula,  Fr.  (figs.  55—57)1- 

Sporangia  sessile  on  a  broad  base,  much  adpressed,  circular  in 
outline,  or  variously  elongated  and  flexuous,  and  sometimes  the 
branches  combine  to  form  an  irregular  network,  wall  dark  grey, 
sparingly  sprinkled  with  minute  white  particles  of  lime ;  columella 
absenj^  mass  of  spores  blackish  ;  threads  of  capillitium  branched 
and  connected  laterally,  forming  an  irregular  network,  dirty 
brown  to  colourless,  plentifully  furnished  with  dark- coloured, 
ring-like,  or  irregularly-shaped  thickenings;  spores  globose, 
very  minutely  verruculose,  7—9  p  diameter. 

Didymium  serpula,  Rost.,  Mon.  Append. ;  Cooke,  Hdbk.,  30, 
figs.  166,  180;  Schroeter,  p.  121 ;  Sacc.,  Syll.,  no.  1297. 

Didymium  complanatum,  Rost.,  Mon.,  p.  151,  figs.  166,  180. 

On  leaves,  &c.  Sporangia  when  circular  "5 — 1  mm.  diameter ; 
when  elongated  often  several  mm.  in  length.  Sometimes  the 
lime  on  the  sporangium  is  more  abundant,  forming  a  white 
crust ;  but  the  species  cannot  be  mistaken  if  attention  is  paid 
to  the  much  flattened  sporangia,  the  well-developed  capitulum 
having  the  threads  furnished  with  numerous,  variously-shaped, 
dark  brown  thickenings,  and  the  very  minutely  verruculose 
spores. 

Britain  (Kew,  Batheaston,  Scarboro',  Carlisle);  all  Europe; 
United  States. 


Didymium.  235 

(Rostafinski's  Synonyms.) 

Lycoperdon  complanatum,  Batsch,  t.  170  (1786). 

Didymium  serpula,  FT.,  S.  M.,  in.,  126  (1829);  Eng.  Fl.,  v., 

314 ;   B.  and  Br.,  Ann.   N.   H.,  No.  1035 ;   Cke.,  Hdbk., 

n.  1134. 
Physarum  confluens,  Fckl.,  Symb.  Myc.,  p.  342  (1869),  non 

Pers. 

Didymium  confluens,  Rost.  tj.savav* 

Sporangia  sessile,  sometimes  scattered  and  then  hemispherical, 
at  others  densely  crowded  on  a  well-developed  hypothallus, 
hemispherical  reniform,  or  irregularly  angular  from  mutual 
pressure ;  columella  distinct,  yellowish,  or  with  a  pink  tinge ; 
threads  of  capillitium  very  slender,  forked  at  acute  angles,  pale 
brownish-lilac ;  spores  globose,  rather  coarsely  warted,  dingy 
purple-brown,  10 — 15  ju  diameter. 

Didymium  confluens,  Rost.,  Mon.,  p.  164. 

Didymium  crustaceum,  Sacc.,  Syll.,  no.  1303. 

On  leaves,  wood,  &c.  Britain  (Castle  Howard,  Yorks); 
France;  Italy;  Russia;  Finland. 

(Rostafinski's  Synonyms.) 

Didymium  complanatum,  Schrad.,  Nov.  Plen.  Gen.,  p.  24,  t.  5, 

f.  5  (1797). 
Physarum  confluens,  Pers.  Syn.,  p.  169,  et  v.,  a  truncigerum 

(1801). 

Physarum  confluens,  /3  muscigemlm,  A.  et  Sz.,  1.  c.,  p.  9  (1805). 
Didymium  crustaceum,  F.,  1.  c.,  iii.,  p.  124 ;  Excl.  Syn.  (1829). 
Cionium  complanatum,  Lk.  ap.  Wallr.,  1.  c.,  no.  2176  (1833). 

Var.  olducens,  Karst.,  Not.  Sallsk.,  pro.  faun,  et  flor.  Fenn., 
ix.,  p.  356  (1880). 

Sporangia  irregular  (plasmodiocarp),  flattened,  often  umbili- 
cate,  concave  below,  solitary  or  gregarious,  sometimes  densely 
crowded;  stem  short  or  almost  obsolete,  irregular,  broadening 
out  below  into  the  common  hypothallus.  Remainder  as  in 
type. 


236          A  Monograph  of  the  Myxogastres. 

Didymimn  effusum,  Rost.  b-sqoo 

Sporangia  densely  aggregated  or  scattered,  sessile  on  a  broad 
base,  circular  or  irregular  in  outline,  depressed,  wall  grey,  pruinose 
with  numerous  minute  crystals  aggregated  in  masses;  columella 
hemispherical,  white  or  pallid,  rugulose ;  threads  of  capillitium 
very  slender,  colourless  or  pale  fuliginous,  furnished  with  scat- 
tered coloured  protuberances,  combined  to  form  an  irregular  dense 
net;  spores  globose,  brownish-purple,  minutely  warted,  10 — 12  jx 
diameter. 

Didymium  effusum,,  Rost,  Mon.,  p.  163 ;  Sacc.,  Syll.,  no.  1302. 

On  leaves,  wood,  &c.  Britain  (Cornwall) ;  Finland ;  Sweden  ; 
France;  Germany;  United  States;  Ceylon. 

About  '5  mm.  diameter,  characterized  by  the  white  columella, 
the  capillitium  threads  furnished  with  numerous  well-defined 
projections  in  the  form  of  thickened  plates  or  pyriform  swellings, 
and  the  dense  meal  of  crystals  on  the  wall. 

(Rostafmski's  Synonyms.) 

D&crma  effusum,  Link,  Obs.  I,  p.  42  (1809). 
Didymium  effusum,  Fr.,  1.  c.,  in.,  p.  124  (1829). 
Physarum  conftuens,  Fr.,  Excl.  Syn.,  1.  c.,  iii.,  p.  146  (1829). 

Sub- Gen.     Hemididymium. 

Capillitium  usually  dense,  threads  branching  and  anastomosing 
to  form  an  irregular  network  throughout  the  capillitium,  angles 
usually  flattened  and  more  or  less  triangular. 

The  species  included  in 'the  present  sub-genus  are  distin- 
guished from  those  belonging  to  the  sub-genus  Didymium  by 
the  absence  of  the  simple  or  bifurcating  threads  at  the  basal 
portion  of  the  capillitium. 

A.     Sporangium  stipitate. 

*  Spores  smooth. 
Didymium  longipes,  Mass.  (n.  sp.)  (fig.  226).  P^  •' 

Sporangia  small,  globose,  snow-white,  frosted  with  a  few 
scattered  granules  or  crystals  of  lime;  stem  very  long  and 


Didymium.  237 

slender,  erect,  snow-white,  very  slightly  attenuated  upwards, 
almost  smooth,  expanding  at  the  base  into  a  small,  circular, 
white  hypothallus;  columella  absent ;  capillitium  well-developed, 
threads  very  thin,  colourless,  branching  and  anastomosing  irregu- 
larly to  form  a  network,  nodes  usually  triangular;  spores 
globose,  dingy  lilac,  smooth,  8 — 10  jot  diameter. 

(Type  in  Herb.  Berk.,  Kew,  with  Tilmadoche  nutans.} 

On  bark  and  wood.     Britain  (Yorks) ;  Lower  Carolina. 

A  very  distinct  species,  characterized  by  its  snow-white  colour 
throughout,  2*5 — 3  mm,  high,  sporangium  very  small.  Spores 
perfectly  smooth  under  a  TV  objective. 

Didymium  Mvellum,  Mass.  (n.  sp.)  (fig.  232).  D.\M(\rip « 

Sporangia  spherical,'  very  little  or  not  at  all  umbilicate, 
stipitate,  outer  cretaceous  coat  pure  white,  composed  of  minute 
granules  which  fall  away  in  the  form  of  powder,  inner  wall  with- 
out lime,  rather  tough,  bright  fulvous ;  stem  slender,  elongated, 
straight  or  slightly  curved  above,  attenuated  upwards,  same 
colour  as  inner  wall  of  sporangium,  much  wrinkled  longitudin- 
ally, expanding  at  the  base  into  a  similarly  coloured  circular 
hypothallus ;  columella  brown,  not  very  prominent ;  mass  of 
spores  blackish  with  a  purple  tinge ;  capillitium  copious,  threads 
repeatedly  forked,  2 — 3  /u,  thick,  rather  broader  at  the  base  of 
each  bifurcation,  combined  laterally  to  form  an  irregular  net- 
work, colourless ;  spores  globose,  smooth,  pale  dirty  lilac,  8 — 10  p. 
diameter. 

On  fallen  oak  leaves;  scattered  or  gregarious. 

United  States. 

(Type  in  Herb.,  Kew.) 

Sporangium  1  mm.  diameter,  stem  about  2  mm.  high. 

Didymium  australis,  Mass.  (fig.  208).  7ricW»*^ViDva.  yez»'x.o»<W3 

Sporangium  globose  or  slightly  flattened  above  and  below, 
slightly  umbilicate,  at  first  with  a  thick,  white  layer  of  crystals 
which  soon  breaks  up  into  large,  persistent,  irregular  patches; 
stem  thin,  bright  brown,  slightly  attenuated  upwards,  often  bend- 


238  A  Monograph  of  ttie  Myxogastres. 

ing  under  the  weight  of  the  sporangium;  columella  absent; 
mass  of  spores  blackish-purple;  capillitium  copious,  threads 
colourless,  3 — 4  p  thick,  branching  at  wide  angles  and  anasto- 
mosing irregularly;  spores  globose,  smooth,  dingy  lilac,  9 — 10  /* 
diameter. 

Didymium  australis,  Mass.,  Grev.,  vol.  xvii.,  p.  7. 
(Type  in  Herb.,  Kew.) 

Gregarious,  on  an  old  decayed  species  of  Auricularia. 

Brisbane,  Australia. 

Plant  about  2  mm.  high,  stem  equal  or  a  little  longer  than 
sporangium.  Resembling  Didymium  squamulosum,  in  the  wall 
of  theNjroorangium  breaking  up  into  large  detached  patches, 
but  readily  distinguished  by  the  absence  of  a  columella,  and  the 
thin,  coloured  stem. 


Didymium  proximum,  B.  and  C.  (figs.  227 — 229).V).^<\vip«s 

Sporangium  globose,  white  or  pallid,  sprinkled  with  lime, 
mostty  in  the  form  of  stellate  crystals  ;  stem  more  or  less  longi- 
tudinally wrinkled,  snibequal,  rufous,  erect,  expanding  at  the 
base  into  a  small  hypothallus;  columella  subclavate,  whitish, 
reaching  one-third  the  height  of  the  sporangium;  capillitium 
dense,  threads  colourless,  sometimes  rough  with  projecting 
granules ;  3 — 4  mm.  thick  at  the  base,  bifurcating  and  anasto- 
mosing laterally  to  form  an  irregular  reticulation,  often  dilated 
and  flattened  at  the  axils;  spores  globose,  pale  dirty  lilac, 
smooth,  9 — 12  fx  diameter. 

Didymium  proximum,  B.  and  C.,  Grev.,  vol.  ii.,  p.  52  (1873) ; 
Rost,  Mon.  App.,  p.  23 ;  Sacc.,  Syll,  no.  1308. 

Didymium  pusillum,  B.  and  C.,  Grev.,  ii.,  p.  53. 

On  dead  pine  leaves  and  on  herbaceous  stems.     Carolina. 
(Types  in  Herb.  Berk.,  nos.  10760  and  10764.) 

Scattered,  2 — 2'5  mm.  high,  columella  large,  usually  more  or 
less  clavate,  sometimes  irregularly  fusiform.  Owing  to  a  slip 
of  the  pen,  Berkeley  says,  in  describing  D.  pusillum,  "  columella 
nulla,"  yet  the  large  columella  is  shown  in  Berkeley's  sketch, 
and  the  type  specimen  is  identical  with  that  of  D.  proximum. 


Didymium.  239 

Spores  smooth,  or  with  sometimes  the  slightest  suggestion  of 
granulation  under  a  T\.  objective. 

Didymium  pezizoideum,  Mass.  TncW^^oro.  y 

Sporangia  stipitate,  discoid,  pezizaeform,  greyish-white,  wall 
single,  becoming  furfuraceous ;  stem  subulate,  curved  above, 
brownish,  smooth,  expanding  at  the  base  into  a  small,  shining, 
closely  adnate  hypothallus ;  threads  of  the  capillitium  combined 
to  form  a  net,  spores  smooth,  violet,  8 — 9  JJL  diameter. 

Tricham'pliorcL  pezizoidea,  Jungh.,  Fl.  Cr.,  Java,  p.  12,  t.  2,  f.  9. 

Chondrioderma2)ezizoideum,Rost.,M.on.,ip.  424,  f.  122;  Cooke, 
Myx.  Brit,  fig.  122;  Sacc.,  Syll.,  1256. 

On  rotten  trunks.     Java. 

> 

Didymium  platypus,  Hanzl.  *> 

Greyish-white,  primrose,  sporangia  scattered,  convex  above, 
deeply  umbilicate  below ;  stem  cylindrical,  dilated  in  a  discoid 
manner  at  the  apex  ;  spores  globose,  smooth,  blackish,  8  /*  diam., 
capillitium  scanty,  formed  of  black  tubes  connected  in  a  reticulate 
manner,  columella  absent. 

Hanzl.  Ein  neue  Myxog.  typus  in  Just.  Bot.  Jahresbericht, 
1872,  p.  155 ;  Sacc.,  Syll.,  1326. 

Agaricus  platypus,  Bischoff  (sec.  Hanzl.). 

On  putrid  plant  stems.     Hungary. 

*  *  Spores  warted. 
Didymium  echinospora,  Mass.  (n.  sp.).tWp**»*v  TC» 

Sporangia  globose,  usually  with  a  shallow  umbilicus  below, 
wall  membranaceous,  almost  colourless,  with  a  dense  coat  of 
white  amorphous  particles  of  lime,  upper  portion  breaking  away 
in  flakes  during  dehiscence,  and  leaving  a  permanent  cup-like 
basal  portion  with  torn  edges;  stem  elongated,  slender,  erect, 
very  slightly  attenuated  upwards,  white,  rugulose  below;  colu- 
mella absent ;  capillitium  very  dense,  threads  lilac-brown,  about 
2  /A  thick,  bifurcating,  and  towards  the  apex  freely  anastomosing 


240          A  Monograph  of  the  Myxogastres. 

to  form  a  dense  net,  with  the  angles  usually  triangular  ;  spores 
dingy  purple,  globose,  warted,  12  —  14  p.  diameter. 

(Type  in  Herb.  Berk.,  Kew.,  with  Tilmadoche  nutans.) 

On  bark.     Ceylon. 

Scattered,  1*5  —  2  mm.  high.  Bearing  a  superficial  resem- 
blance to  Tilmadoche  nutans,  but  distinct  in  the  capillitium, 
which  contains  no  trace  of  lime,  and  in  the  spores. 

Didymium  zeylanicum,  B.  and  Br.  TvicWw»|VK»«i«i 

Sporangium  hemispherico-depressed,  with  a  shallow  umbilicus 
below,  wall  thin,  colourless,  frosted  with  white  granules  of  lime  ; 
stem  elongated,  attenuated  upwards,  or  almost  obsolete,  brown 
or  yellow,  longitudinally  wrinkled,  filled  with  small  grains  of 
lime,  expanding  below  into  a  spreading  hypothallus  ;  capillitium 
forming  a  dense  irregular  net,  threads  colourless,  very  thin; 
spores  dark  purple,  globose,  very  minutely  verruculose,  7  —  9  /* 
diameter. 

Didjymium  zeylanicum,  B.  and  Br.,  in  Journ.  Linn.  Soc.,  vol. 
xiv.,  p.  84. 

Chondrioderma  zeylanicum,  Host.,  Mon.  App.,  p.  15  ;  Sacc., 
Syll.,  no.  1254. 

Ctwndrioderma  exiguum,  Racib.,  Hedw.,  1889,  p.  118. 
(Type  in  Herb.  Berk.,  no.  10770.) 

On  decayed  wood.     Ceylon  ;  Poland. 

The  species  described  as  Chondrioderma  exiguum  cannot  be 
separated  from  the  present  species;  the  points  of  difference 
given  by  Raciborski  only  apply  to  certain  individuals  which, 
from  an  examination  of  the  type,  is  a  variable  species. 


Didymium  obrusseum,  B.  and  C.  v*t  o\>«-< 

Sporangium  white  or  pale  yellow,  almost  globose,  sometimes 
slightly  umbilicate  below,  wall  very  thin,  with  little  or  no  lime, 
often  iridescent  when  empty  ;  stem  attenuated  upwards,  flattened 
and  distorted  below,  weak  and  drooping,  bright  yellow,  expanding 
at  the  base  into  a  very  thin,  irregular  hypothallus  of  the  same 
colour;  columella  absent;  capillitium  rather  scanty,  threads 


Didymium.  241 

thin,  colourless,  repeatedly  forked  and  joined  laterally  to  form 
a  loose,  irregular  net ;  spores  globose,  dingy  lilac,  very  minutely 
verruculose,  8 — 10  JJL  diameter: 

Didymium  obrusseum,  B.  and  C.,  Grev.  (1873),  vol.  ii.,  p.  53. 

Physarum  obrusseum  (B.  and  C.),  Sacc.,  Syll.,  1195  (in  part). 
'  (Type  in  Herb.,  Kew.) 

Exsicc. — Fung.  Cubenses  Wrightiani,  532. 

On  twigs,  leaves,  &c.     Cuba ;  United  States. 

Gregarious,  stem  flaccid,  irregular  and  flattened  below,  very 
thin  above,  about  2  mm.  long,  hypothallus  very  thin  and 
shining. 

Didymium  pertusum,  Ber^^V? 

Scattered.  Sporangium  globose  or  depressed,  generally  more 
or  less  umbilicate,  white,  frosted  with  minute  crystals  of  lime ; 
stem  elongated,  slightly  attenuated  upwards,  rufous;  columella 
entirely  absent ;  threads  of  capillitium  very  thin,  colourless,  vari- 
ously branched  and  combined  to  form  a  net;  spores  globose, 
dirty  lilac,  verruculose,  10 — 13  //.  diameter. 

Didymium  pertusum,  Berk.,  Eng.  Fl.,  vol.  v.,  p.  313 ;  Cooke, 
Myx.  Brit.,  p.  35 ;  Sacc.,  Syll.,  1317. 

(Type  in  Herb.  Berk.) 

On  dead  herbaceous  stems.     Appin,  N.  B. 

Scattered,  varying  from  2'5 — 3  mm.  high.  There  is  no  trace 
of  a  columella,  although  after  dehiscence  the  basal  persistent 
portion  of  the  sporangial  wall  falls  down,  and  this  under  a 
pocket-lens  might  be  mistaken  for  a  columella.  The  threads 
of  the  capillitium  anastomose  freely  and  form  a  very  irregular, 
scanty  network.  The  stem  is  more  or  less  longitudinally 
rugulose,  and  filled  with  amorphous  particles  of  lime. 

Didymium  eximium,  Peck. 

Sporangia  subglobose,  slightly  or  not  at  all  umbilicate  below, 
grey,  frosted  with  stellate  crystals  of  lime ;  stem  elongated,  erect 
or  slightly  curved  above,  almost  eqiijol,  slender,  pale  yelloivish- 
brown,  darker  towards  the  base,  which  expands  into  a  minute 
hypothallus,  slightly  rugulose,  filled  with  amorphous  particles 


242  A  Monograph  of  the '  Myxogastres. 

of  lime,  as  is  also  the  orbicular,  depressed,  pale  columella ;  capil- 
litium  colourless,  threads  very  slender,  combined  into  a  dense 
irregular  net;  spores  globose,  brownish-lilac,  minutely  ivarted, 
8 — 11  JM  diameter. 

Didymium  eximium,  Peck,  in  31st  Rep.  N.  York  State  Mus., 
p.  41 ;  Sacc.,  Syll.,  n.  1314. 

Exsicc. — Ellis  and  Everhart,  N.  Amer.  Fung.,  Ser.  II.,  2089. 
(Authentic  specimen  from  author  in  Hb.,  Kew.) 

On  dead  leaves,  herbaceous  stems,  &c.     U.  States. 

Scattered  or  gregarious,  from  1 — 1'5  mm.  high,  stem  twice 
or  more  the  length  of  the  sporangium.  Threads  of  capillitium 
often  more  or  less  dilated  at  the  angles,  and  rarely  with  a 
slightly  thickened  interstitial  portion,  which  does  not  however 
contain  lime. 

Didymium  flavicomum,  Mass.  (figs.  76 — 78). 

Sporangium  depresso-globose,  minutely  umbilicate  below, 
pab 'yellow,  at  first  frosted  with  a  few  scattered  crystals  of  lime ; 
stem  elongated,  slender,  erect  or  slightly  curved  near  the  apex, 
snbequal  or  attenuated  upwards,  yellowish-rufous,  often  darker 
at  the  base,  which  expands  into  a  minute  hypothallus,  longi- 
tudinally wrinkled  and  containing  amorphous  granules  of  lime ; 
columella  absent;  capillitium  pale  yellow,  threads  variously 
combined  to  form  a  rather  dense  net,  dilated  at  the  nodes,  which 
are  without  a  trace  of  lime ;  spores  almost  colourless,  very 
minutely  veii'uculose,  9 — 10  p  diameter. 

Physarum  flavicomum,  Berk.,  Hook.  Journ.  Bot.,  vol.  iv., 
p.  66;  Sacc.,  Syll.,  n.  1193  (in  part). 

Physarum  Berkeleyi,  Host.,  Mon.,  p.  105. 

(Type  in  Herb.  Berk.,  n.  10,782.) 

On  decorticated  wood.     Australia  (Swan  River). 

Gregarious,  2'5 — 3  mm.  high,  stem  slender,  three  to  four 
times  as  long  as  the  sporangium.  The  present  very  distinct 
species  has  been  hopelessly  confused  by  Rostafinski  and  by 
Berlese  in  Saccardo's  SyUoge,  and  the  mistakes  committed  by 
both  can  be  traced  to  the  modern  pernicious  system  of  paying 
attention  to  books  rather  than  specimens,  always  a  mistake,  and 


Didymium.  243 

more  especially  so  when  dealing  with  diagnoses  of  microscopic 
species  described  half  a  century  ago.  The  following  synonyms 
by  Rostafmski,  although  absolutely  worthless  from  a  scientific 
standpoint,  may  be  historically  interesting. 

(Rostafinski's  Synonyms.) 

Pliysarum  ftavicomum,  B.,  Hook.  Journ.,  p.  66,  n.  63  (1845). 
Stylonites  fulviceps,  Fr.,  Fung.  Natal,  p.  33  (1848). 
Physarum  cupriceps,  B.  et   Rav.,  Fung.  Car.  Exs.  iii.,  n.  76 

(1855). 
Ophiotheca  1  ......  Roussel.  Antil.  (1872). 

Physarum  cupripes,  B.  and  Rav.,  Grev.,  p.  65,  ri.  355  (1873). 
Physarum  roseum,  B.  et  Br.,  cfr.  Grev.,  p.  65  (1873). 

Didymium  elegantissimum,  Mass.  (n.  sp.).^-WH 

Sporangia  scattered,  stipitate,  hemispherico-depressed,  with  a 
broad,  shallow  umbilicus  below,  snoiv-white,  with  a  dense  coat- 
ing of  stellate  crystals ;  stem  elongated,  equal,  rather  stout, 
longitudinally  rugulose,  bright  orange-brown,  passing  into  a  small 
hypothallus  of  the  same  colour;  capillitium  absent;  threads 
3 — 4  //,  thick  at  the  base,  forking  at  acute  angles,  here  and 
there  anastomosing  to  form  irregular  portions  of  network,  most 
of  the  main  branches  with  numerous  small  nodulose  swellings  at 
regular  intervals,  giving  a  moniliform  appearance,  pale  and 
lilac-brown  below;  spores  globose,  8 — 10  p.  diameter,  minutely 
warted,  pale  lilac. 

Physarum  striatum,  Fr.,  Syd.  Myc.  March.,  490  (Kew  copy). 

On  twigs  and  leaves.     Britain  (Scarboro') ;  Germany. 

About  1*5  mm.  high.  Stem  two  or  three  times  as  long  as 
sporangium.  Bears  a  superficial  resemblance  to  Didymium 
pertusum,  Berk.,  from  which  it  is  readily  distinguished  by  the 
denser  capillitium  and  the  moniliform  thickening  of  the  threads. 

B.     Sporangium  sessile. 

Didymium  leptotrichum,  Mass.  ?- 
Sporangia    venulose    or    irregular,    depressed,    wall    single, 


244  A  Monograph  of  the  Myxogastres. 

covered  with  minute  squamules  of  lime ;  columella  absent ; 
threads  of  the  capillitium  very  slender  (08,  3  \t.  diam.),  forming 
a  flaccid,  very  dense  net;  spores  blackish-brown,  verruculose, 
12,  5—13,  2  \i  diameter. 

Chondrioderma  leptotrichum,  Racib.,  Myx.  Crac.,  p.  7,  f.  4; 
Sacc.,  Syll.,  1267. 

Poland. 

Removed  from  Chondrioderma  on  account  of  the  furfuraceous 
and  not  porcelain-like  wall  of  the  sporangium. 

Didymium  Listeri,  Mass.  (figs.  97—101).' 

Plasmodium  pulvinato-compressed,  in  large,  irregular,  scattered 
patches;  outer  wall  white,  with  a  thick  layer  of  stellate  crystals 
of  lime,  rather  fragile,  breaking  away  in  irregular  patches ; 
inner  wall  very  thin  ;  columella  absent ;  capillitium  dense,  threads 
parallel,  without  free  ends,  often  forming  acute-angled  dichoto- 
mies and  connected  by  transverse  bars,  dark  brown,  usually 
branched  near  the  paler  tips  that  are  attached  to  the  wall'; 
spores  globose,  dingy  lilac,  minutely  warted,  8 — 10  ft  diameter. 

"  Didymium  dubium,  Rost.,"  Lister  in  Herb.,  Kew. 

On  dead  leaves.     Britain  (Lyme  Regis). 

The  present  species  superficially  resembles  D.  dubium,  but  is 
quite  distinct  in  the  copiously  anastomosing  threals  of  the 
capillitium  which  are  entirely  destitute  of  free,  curved,  spine- 
like  branches.  Plasmodia  3 — 7  mm.  across. 

Didymium  Tussulaginis,  Mass.  ' 

Sporangia  sessile  on  a  broad  base,  hemispherical  or  irregular 
and  plasmodiocarp,  wall  thin,  pinkish-grey,  more  or  less  iri- 
descent, with  minute,  scattered  crystals  of  lime,  dehiscing  irregu- 
larly ;  capillitium  well-developed,  springing  from  the  base  of  the 
sporangium,  threads  repeatedly  branching  in  a  dichotomous  manner, 
rarely  anastomosing,  with  scattered,  small  swellings  usually  con- 
taining one  large  or  two  to  four  small  crystals  of  lime ;  spores 
black-brown  in  the  mass,  pale  brown  with  a  lilac  tinge  by 
transmitted  light,  globose,  very  minutely  verruculose  or  quite 
smooth,  12 — 14  /x  diameter. 


Didymium.  245 

Didymium  Cookci,  Raunk.,  Myx.  Dan.,  p.  109,  t.  5,  f.  5. 

Physarum  tussilaginis,  B.  and  Br.,  Ann.  Nat.  Hist.,  n.  1597; 
Cke.,  Myx.  Brit.,  p.  16. 

Chondrioderma  Cookci,  Host,  Mon.  App.,  p.  17. 

Exsicc. — Cke.,  Fung.  Brit.,  Ser.  I.,  526  (as  BadJiamia  capsu- 
lifer);   Cke.,  Fung.  Brit.,  Ser.  II.,  206;   Thura.,  Myc.    Univ., 
1100;  Vize.  Micro-fungi  Brit,,  1  and  101. 
(Type  in  Herb.,  Kew.) 

On  the  under  surface  of  living  leaves  of  colts-foot,  Tussilago 
farfara.  Britain  (Cheshire) ;  Denmark. 

A  very  remarkable  species,  not  agreeing  in  important  points 
with  any  established  genus,  scattered  or  in  groups  of  2 — 4, 
1'5 — 3  mm.  across.  Apparently  quite  normal  in  its  develop- 
ment, and  not  accompanied  by  any  other  species,  it  occurred 
in  abundance  for  several  years  in  succession  in  Cheshire,  and 
has  also  been  found  in  Denmark.  In  a  note  attached  to  the 
specimens  in  the  Kew  Herbarium,  Mr.  A.  Lister  says,  "The 
whole  appearance  conveys  the  impression  that  it  may  not  be 
a  stable  form,  and  the  habit  is  so  peculiar."  Of  course  it  is 
a  matter  of  opinion  as  to  whether  the  appearance  described 
above  can  afford  any  clue  as  to  stability,  but  certainly  many 
species  occur  on  living  plants. 

The  presence  of  lime  in  the  capillitium  prevents  the  present 
species  from,  being  a  typical  Didymium  or  Chondrioderma ;  the 
lime  is  too  scanty  and  the  capillitium  too  slender  for  a 
Physarum. 

Didymium  anomalum,  Mass./ 

Plasmodium  venulose,  arcuate  or  variously  contorted,  very 
convex,  surface  minutely  granulose ;  columella  very  strongly  de- 
veloped, with  a  broad  base  resting  on  the  substratum,  arcuate, 
following  the  shape  of  the  plasmodiocarp ;  threads  of  capillitium 
very  delicate,  thin,  colourless,  flaccid,  forming  a  dense  net ;  spores 
minutely  verruculose,  yellow,  11 — 13  p  diameter. 

Chondrioderma  anomalum,  Rost.,  Mon.,  p.  169 ;  Sacc.,  Syll., 
1263. 

Russia. 


246  A  Monograph  of  the  Myxogastres. 

The  granulose  wall  of  the  sporangium  separates  the  present 
species  from  the  genus  Chondriodcrma. 

Didymium  dubium,  Rost.  (fig.  102). 

Plasmodium  pulvinate,  arcuate,  in  crowded  clusters,  the  outer 
wall  white,  with  stellate  crystals  of  lime,  breaking  away  from 
inner  wall  in  irregular  pieces;  threads  of  capillitium  rigid, 
rarely  forking,  forming  a  loose  net,  furnished  with  curved  spines, 
spores  obscure  violet,  minutely  vcrruculosc,  10 — 11  /x  diameter. 

Didymium  dubium,  Rost.,  Mon.,  p.  153;  Sacc.,  Syll.,  n.  1298. 

Britain  (Lyndhurst) ;  Bohemia. 

Sub-Gen.     Atriclia. 

Capillitium  obsolete ;  columella  absent. 

The  two  species  constituting  the  present  subgenus  are  un- 
doubtedly degenerate  species  of  Didymium,  characterized  by 
the^very  rudimentary  condition,  or  entire  absence  of  the 
capillitium. 

Didymium  sinapinum,  Cooke  (figs.  167,  168).  K 

Clavate,  subcylindrical,  or  more  or  less  irregular,  wall  brittle 
with  lime,  at  first  compact,  then  breaking  up  into  bright  yellow, 
easily  detached  particles,  becoming  irregularly  ruptured  at  the 
apex,  basal  attenuated  stem-like  portion  darker,  often  with  a 
purple  tinge;  hypothallus  spreading,  thin;  mass  of  spores 
blackish-purple ;  spores  globose,  dingy  lilac,  minutely  warted, 
7 — 9  fi  diameter. 

Dulymium  sinapinum,  Cooke,  Brit.  Myx.,  p.  33,  fig.  245 ; 
Sacc.,  Syll.,  n.  1319. 

(Type  in  Herb.,  Kew.) 

On  leaves.     Wales  (Forden). 

Growing  in  isolated  patches,  gregarious  or  crowded,  springing 
from  a  common  hypothallus,  sporangia  1 — 1  '5  mm.  high,  usually 
more  or  less  clavate,  now  and  then  irregularly  lobed  and  form- 
ing a  small  aethalium  consisting  of  two  or  three  sporangia, 
bright  sulphur-yellow ;  in  rare  instances  a  few  very  thin,  bifur- 


Didymium.  247 

eating  threads  are  present,  but  in  most  sporangia  there  is  no 
trace  of  a  capillitium. 

Didymium  flavidum,  Peck.  K  c  \ tri  n  c  \ 

Sporangia  globose,  or  broadly  obovate,  sessile  on  a  broad  or 
narrow  base,  wall  brittle  with  lime,  rugulose,  sulphur-yellow, 
sometimes  with  a  tinge  of  orange,  becoming  irregularly  ruptured 
at  the  apex,  or  the  apical  portion  breaking  away  in  an  irregu- 
larly circumscissile  manner,  basal  half  persistent ;  mass  of  spores 
blackish-violet,  spores  globose,  dingy  lilac,  very  minutely  ver- 
ruculose,  10 — 12  p.  diameter. 

Didymium  flavidum,  Peck,  28th  Report  State  Mus.,  N.  Y., 
p.  54. 

Physarum  flavidum,  Peck,  Berl.,  Sacc.,  Syll.,  n.  1215. 
(Authentic  specimen  from  Peck,  in  Herb.,  Kew.) 

On  wood.     United  States. 

Scattered  or  gregarious,  about  '5  mm.  diam.,  springing  from 
a  very  thin  hypothallus;  capillitium  consisting  of  a  few  scat- 
tered, very  thin,  bifurcating  threads,  or  most  frequently  entirely 
absent. 

Owing  to  imperfect  diagnoses  and  absence  of  type  specimens,  the 
following  cannot  be  arranged  in  their  respective  sections. 


Didymium  tenerrimum,  B.  and  C.  var.  o\>r\>t*eu«v» 

Sporangium  globose,  white,  venulose,  umbilicate  below  ;  hypo- 
thallus obsolete ;  stem  elongated,  thickened  below,  pallid,  hyaline; 
threads  of  capillitium  colourless ;  spores  black. 

Didymium  tenerrimum,  B.  and  C.,  Linn.  Soc.  Journ.,  vol.  x., 
p.  348. 

Didymium  obmsseum,  Sacc.,  Syll.,  n.  1195  (in  part). 

On  leaves  of  grass,  nearly  allied  to  D.  obrusseicm,  B.  and  C. 
Cuba. 

The  present  species  is  given  as  a  synonym  of  D.  olrusseum, 
B.  and  C.,  in  Saccardo's  Sylloge,  but  as  the  authors  considered 
the  two  species  to  be  distinct,'  and  as  no  specimen  exists  in 
Berkeley's  Herbarium,  I  have  considered  it  advisable  not  to 


248  A  Monograph  of  the  Myocogastres. 

combine  the  two,  as  the  present  species  appears  to  differ  in  the 
absence  of  a  hypothallus. 

/I 
Didymium  Weinmanni,  Fr.  • 

Sporangia  turbinate,  very  fragile,  covered  with  grey  meal, 
stem  short,  with  a  yellow  tinge,  columella  absent;  spores 
blackish. 

Didymium  Weinmanni,  Fr.,  S.  M.,  iii.,  p.  121 ;  Sacc.,  Syll., 
n.  1331. 

On  living  herbaceous  stems.     Russia. 

Minute,  closely  gregarious,  and  often  arranged  in  lines ;  stem 
equal,  expanded  at  the  base ;  sporangia  membranaceous,  oblong 
or  pyriform,  covered  with  grey  meal.  (Fr.) 

U.  mcljtvUSbCTWrxvlrn. 

Didymium  humile,  Hanzl. 

Sporangia  applanate,  grey,  pruinose,  apex  slightly,  below 
deeply  umbilicate ;  stem  cylindrical,  brown,  short ;  capillitium 
of  simple,  tortuous,  smooth,  brown  threads  ;  spores  brown,  6 — 7  /* 
diameter. 

Hanzl.  Ein  neue  Myx.  types,  in  Just.  Bot.  Jahresb.,  1872, 
p.  155 ;  Sacc.,  Syll.,  1324. 

Hungary. 

Didymium  fulvipes,  Fr.  , 

Stem  compressed,  sulcate,  foxy-vermilion  ;  sporangium  globose, 
delicately  villose,  grey. 

Didymmm  fidvipcs,  Fr.,  Stirp.  Femsj.,  p.  83 ;  Fr.,  Gast,  p.  24 ; 
Sacc.,  Syll,  1323. 

Sweden. 

Stem  and  hypothallus  resembling  those  of  Hemiarcyria  rubi- 
formis,  very  unequal,  compressed,  subconfluent,  longitudinally 
sulcato-rugose,  2  mm.  and  more  in  length ;  sporangium  globose, 
or  slightly  depressed,  obtuse,  often  confluent,  with  a  very 
delicate  grey  villose  covering ;  columella  absent ;  threads  brown. 
(Fr.) 

The  villose  covering  of  the  sporangium  alluded  to  by  Fries 
would  in  all  probability  consist  of  a  very  subtle  coating  of  a 
pulverulent  nature. 


Didymium.  249 

Didymium  versipelle,  Fr.  i-«f»Ao< 

Sporangia  lenticular,  umbilicate  below,  at  first  white,  pruinose, 
becoming  polished,  chestnut,  stem  conical,  rugose,  pallid  fulvous ; 
columella  brown ;  spores  smoky-black. 

Didymium  versipelle,  Fr.,  Syst.  Myc.,  iii.,  p.  117 ;  Sacc.,  1330. 

Sweden. 

Stem  about  2  mm.  long,  conical,  wrinkled,  sporangium  de- 
pressed, umbilicate,  wall  thin,  whitish-pruinose,  then  naked  and 
shining,  chestnut,  dehiscing  by  a  longitudinal  fissure  like  a 

bivalve ;  columella  large,  globose,  brown.     (Fr.) 

t 

Didymium  Fairmani,  Sacc.  ^.'W\eWM»»cpc 

Sporangia  scattered,  sessile,  with  stellate  crystals;  columella 
subglobose,  brownish ;  threads  of  capillitium  hyaline,  forming  a 
loose  reticulation ;  spores  smooth,  8 — 10  JM. 

Didymium  Fairmani,  Sacc.,  Journ.  Myc.,  vol.  v.,  p.  180 ;  I.e., 
vol.  v.,  p.  78. 

On  leaves  of  Smilacina  Hfolia.  Syndonville,  Orleans  County, 
N.  Y. 

The  diagnosis  is  altogether  inadequate,  and  it  is  much  to  be 
regretted  that  the  seventeenth  century  style  of  description 
should  be  resuscitated  at  the  present  day.  Professor  Saccardo's 
description  is  thoroughly  bad,  inasmuch  as  it  does  not  describe 
anything. 

J  o 

Didymium  erythrinum,  Berk.  Vlwidtv 

Stem  equal,  vermilion,  as  is  the  globose  sporangium,  spores 
black,  flocci  white. 

Berk.,  Grev.,  vol.  ii.,  p.  52 ;  Sacc.,  Syll.,  1322. 

The  pulverulent  matter  with  which  the  peridium  is  clothed 
soon  rubs  off. 

As  there  is  no  specimen  of  the  above  species  in  Berkeley's 
Herbarium,  I  am  unable  to  add  to  the  above  meagre  description. 

Didymium  angulatum,  Peck,  ti .  aq  v 

Sporangia  delicate,  subglobose,  whitish,  externally  mealy 
with  numerous  granules  and  crystals  of  lime;  stem  short, 


250          A  Monograph  of  the^Myxogastres. 

whitish  ;  coluinella  subglobose,  white  or  pale  yellow  ;  capillitium 
sparse,  delicate,  whitish  or  slightly  coloured;  spores  irregular, 
angular,  blackish  in  the  mass,  '00035'  —  -0005'  long. 

Didymium  angulatum,  Peck,  31st  Report,  State  Mus.,  p.  41  ; 
Sacc.,  Syll.,  1312. 

Fallen  leaves.     Adirondack  Mountains.     Aug. 

I  have  no  knowledge  of  the  present  species  except  from  the 
above  description  from  Peck. 


Didymium  Paraguayense,  Speg.  CraAreYO 

M« 

Sporangia  at  first  globose  or  elliptico-elongated,  "5  —  1  x  "5  mm., 
sessile,  rarely  shortly  substipitate,  deep  violet,  springing  from 
a  brown,  mucedinous,  very  thin  hypothallus,  then  hemispherical 
or  reniform,  1  —  2  mm.  long  by  '8  —  1  mm.  high,  sessile,  sub- 
repens,  wall  white,  thick,  cracked  or  breaking  up  in  flakes; 
mass  of  spores  fulvous  or  pale  luff;  threads  of  capillitium  very 
thin,  hyaline,  not  evanescent;  spores  globose,  perfectly  smooth, 
pale  jjlive  brown,  or  tobacco-colour,  7  —  8  /*  diameter.  Granules 
of  lime  very  numerous,  minute,  hyaline,  globose,  or  irregularly 
angular. 

Didymium  Paraguayense,  Spegazzini,  Fung.  Guaranit.,  n.  320. 

On  fallen  leaves  and  decayed  wood.     Guarapi. 

Didymium  daedaleum,  B.  and  Br. 

Sporangia  connate,  sinuous,  fcn-ming  a  dacdalioid  mass,  reddish- 
brown  inclining  to  orange  like  the  stem,  sprinkled  with  white 
meal;  stem  connate,  as  if  composed  of  a  bundle  of  little  flat 
membranes  ;  capillitium  white,  very  variable  in  vridth,  being  in 
parts  broad,  flat,  membranous;  spores  violet-black,  globose, 
smooth. 

Didymium  daedaleum,  B.  and  Br.,  Ann.  Nat.  Hist.,  n.  385, 
p.  336  (1850);  Cooke,  Hdbk.,  n.  1131;  Cooke,  Myx.  Brit., 
p.  35  ;  Sacc.,  Syll.,  vii.,  1,  n.  1313. 

In  a  cucumber  frame.     Britain. 

There  is  no  specimen  of  the  present  species  in  the  Berkeley 
Herbarium,  hence  I  am  unable  to  add  anything  to  the  above   . 
somewhat  imperfect  description. 


Lepidoderma.  251 

Didymium  connatum,  Peck.   . 

Peridium  depressed  or  subglobose,  cinereous,  furfuraceous, 
stipitate;  stems  mostly  connate  at  the  base,  tapering  upward, 
longitudinally  wrinkled,  whitish  or  cream-colour;  spores  sub- 
globose,  black,  '0004  in.  in  diameter. 

Didymium  connaht,m,  Peck,  26th  Keport,  N.  Y.  State  Mus., 
p.  74. 

Physarum  polymorphism,  Sacc.,  Syll.,  vii.,  1,  n.  1196. 

Decaying  fungi.     Portville,  U.  States. 

The  subfasciculate  mode  of  growth  is  characteristic  of  this 
species.  (Peck.) 

Unknown  to  me.  In  Saccardo's  Sylloge  the  present  species 
is  given  as  a  synonym  of  Physarum  polymorphum,  but  the 
description  above  does  not  justify  this,  and  it  is  very  doubtful 
whether  the  type  specimen  has  been  examined  by  Berlese. 

-vp      i 

Didymium  flavidum,  Peck.  F,  ^ 

Peridium  subglobose,  sessile,  thin,  yellow,  clothed  with  a 
minute  yellow  mealiness ;  spores  subglobose,  black,  '0004'  in 
diameter. 

Didymium  flavidum,  Peck,  28th  Report,  N.  York  State  Mus., 
p.  54. 

Physarum  flavidum,  Berlese,  Sacc.,  Syll.,  vii.,  1,  n.  1215. 

Bark  of  dead  balsam  trees,  Abies  lalsamca.  North  Elba ;  U. 
States. 

LEPIDODERMA,  De  Bary. 

Sporangia  sessile  or  stipitate  or  a  plasmodiocarp,  wall  fur- 
nished externally  with  large  scales  consisting  of  bicarbonate  of 
lime,  superficial  or  enclosed  in  lenticular  cavities  of  the  mem- 
brane ;  columella  generally  present. 

Host.,  Mon.,  p.  187;  Cooke,  Myx.  Brit.,  p.  43;  Sacc.,  Syll., 
vol.  vii.,  p.  386. 

Closely  related  to  Didymium,  and  differing  only  in  the  fact 
that  the  external  coating  of  lime  is  broken  up  into  large,  per- 
sistent patches,  instead  of  forming  a  pruinose  coating  consisting 


252          A  Monograph  of  the  Myxogastres. 

frequently  of  stellate  crystals.  Ckondrioderma  differs  in  having 
the  external  wall  of  lime  forming  a  polished,  porcelain-like  crust. 
In  the  present  genus  the  carbonate  of  lime  is  present  in  the  form 
of  very  minute  amorphous  lumps  until  near  to  maturity,  when 
it  is  dissolved  and  reappears  as  bicarbonate  of  lime  deposited 
in  comparatively  large  flakes.  The  same  change  takes  place 
in  Physarum  granulatum,  Balf.  fil,  and  Air.  Harold  Wingate,  of 
Philadelphia,  has  remarked  the  same  conversion  of  carbonate 
of  lime  into  the  bicarbonate  in  Chondrioderma  Michelii,  and 
adds,  "  I  feel  positive  it  takes  place  after  the  plant  has  matured, 
and  possibly  after  it  has  been  dry  and  again  subjected  to 
moisture." 

Distril.  Europe ;  West  Indies ;  Ceylon ;  Java.     Species  8. 

A.     Spores  smooth. 

Lepidoderma  stellatum,  Mass.  (figs.  223 — 225). 

Spqjangia  spherical,  stipitate,  slightly  or  not  at  all  umbilicate 
below,  blacJcish-brown,  variegated  with  rather  large  white  scales, 
ruptured  at  maturity  nearly  to  the  base  in  a  stellate  manner,  into 
4 — 6  acute,  irregular  segments;  stem  rather  thick,  erect  or 
rarely  curved,  striate,  white;  columella  hemisplierical  or  rnl- 
davate,  rather  prominent,  whitish  or  tinged  yellow ;  threads  of 
the  capillitiuin  very  slender,  branching  at  acute  angles,  hyaline, 
flexuous;  spores  smooth,  dingy  violet,  globose,  10 — 12  /u,  diam. 

Grevillea,  vol.  xvii.,  March  (1889). 

On  rotten  wood.     Dominica  (Ramage). 

A  very  fine  and  distinct  species,  2'5 — 3'5  mm.  high  ;  scattered 
or  gregarious.  When  young  the  sporangia  are  pure  white, 
the  outer  coat  becoming  broken  up  into  large  white  distinct 
scales  as  the  sporangium  expands.  Readily  recognized  by  the 
white  stem,  colourless  capillitium,  whitish  columella  and  smooth 
•spores ;  the  mode  of  dehiscence  is  also  characteristic. 

Lepidoderma  reticulatum,  Mass. 

Sporangia  gregarious,  sessile  on  a  broad  base,  convex,  circular 
or  elongated,  often  flexuous  and  anastomosing  in  a  reticulate 


Lepidoderma.  253 

manner,  wall  thick,  brown  with  a  tinge  of  purple,  famished 
with  large,  scattered,  innate,  yellow  patches  of  lime ;  columella 
absent;  mass  of  spores  purple-brown;  capillitium  very  scanty, 
threads  1 — 2  inm.  thick,  colourless;  spores  globose,  smooth, 
11 — 12  /A  diameter. 

Licea  reticulata,  B.  and  Br.,  Journ.  Linn.  Soc.,  vol.  xiv.,  p.  86 
(1873). 

Did.ymium  reticulatum,  B.  and  Br.,  in  Herb.  Berk. 

On  bark  and  mosses.     Ceylon. 

Distinguished  from  Lepidoderma  Chailletii  by  the  absence 
of  a  columella,  and  from  L.  Carestianum  by  the  smooth  spores 
and  yellow  patches  of  lime  on  the  wall  of  the  sporangium. 

Lepidoderma  fulvum,  Mass.  (n.  sp.)  (figs.  39,  40). 

Sporangia  stipitate,  hemispherical,  depressed,  umbilicate 
beneath,  fulvous,  with  scattered,  large,  superficial  white  or  yellowish 
scales ;  stem  stout,  equal,  or  very  slightly  attenuated  upwards, 
straight  or  a  little  bent,  longitudinally  rugulose,  fulvous,  hypo- 
thallus  well  developed  ;  columella  large,  hemispherical,  brownish ; 
capillitium  copious,  threads  slender,  branched  at  acute  angles, 
jlexuous,  brownish-violet ;  spores  globose,  smooth,  brownish-purple, 
10 — 12  //  diameter,  some  few  much  larger. 

On  mosses,  twigs,  &c.     Britain  (Yorks.);  France. 
(Type  in  Herb.  Berk.,  10,783.) 

In  groups  of  2 — 4,  springing  from  a  firm,  well-developed 
hypothallus,  2'5 — 3  mm.  high.  Differing  from  Lepidoderma 
stellatum,  the  only  other  stipitate,  smooth-spored  species,  in  the 
coloured  columella  and  stem.  The  calcareous  scales  on  the 
pileus  very  thin,  glistening,  not  so  regular  and  distant  as  in 
L.  fulvum. 

B.     Spores  warted. 

Lepidoderma  tigrinum,  Host.  (figs.  41 — 43). 

Sporangia  hemispherical,  depressed,  stipitate,  umbilicate 
beneath,  blacldsh-brown,  and  furnished  with  rather  distant,  large 
yelloivish  scales  ;  stem  erect,  thick  and  equal,  or  slightly  attenu- 


254          A  Monograph  of  the  Myxogastres. 

ated  upwards,  brownish  rust  colour  or  dingy  ochre,  wrinkled 
longitudinally ;  columella  brown,  globose  or  hemispherical ; 
threads  of  capillitium  thin,  brownish-violet,  branches  forming 
acute  angles,  sometimes  united  laterally ;  spores  globose,  brown- 
ish-purple, minutely  wartcd,  10 — 13  p.  diam. 

Host.,  Hon.,  p.  187,  figs.  159,  160;  Cooke,  Myx.  Brit.,  p.  44, 
figs.  159,  160 ;  Sacc.,  SylL,  vii.,  p.  386. 

On  mosses,  wood,  &c.  Britain  (Teesdale,  Yorks.  side ;  New 
Pitsligo) ;  France ;  Germany ;  Finland ;  Sweden ;  Ceylon. 

Superficially  resembling  Lepidoderma  stellata  before  dehi- 
scence,  but  known  at  once  by  the  warted  spores,  which  also 
separate  the  present  species  from  L.  fulva. 

Scattered  or  gregarious,  2 — 2*5  mm.  high,  the  base  of  the 
stem  expanding  into  a  small,  irregular  hypothallus.  Threads 
of  capillitium  sometimes  with  slight  granular  swellings. 

(Rostafinski's  Synonyms.) 

Didymium  tigrinum,  Schrad.,  t.  6,  f.  2,  3  (1797) ;  B.  and  Br., 

N.  H.,  383;  Cke.,  Hdbk.,  n.  1121. 
Physarum  tigrinum,  Pers.,  Syn.,  174   (1801);    Fl.,  Dan.,  t. 

1434,  f.  2. 

Physarum  squamulosum,  Pers.,  Syn.,  174  (1801). 
Trickia  tigrina,  Poir.,  Ency.,  viii.,  53. 
Trichia  squamulosa,  Poir.,  Ency.,  viii.,  53. 
Cionium  tigrinum,  Lk.,  Hdbk.,  iii.,  410  (1833). 
Didymium  rujipcs,  Fr.,  S.  M.,  iii.,  116  (1829). 
Leangium  squamulosum,  Fr.,  Stirp.  Femsj.,  13  (1825). 

Lepidoderma  obovatum,  Mass.  (n.  sp.)  (figs.  45 — 47). 

Broadly  obovatc,  stipitate;  wall  dirty  ochraceous,  thick  and 
firm,  studded  with  large,  innate  whitish  patches  of  lime ;  stem 
short,  thick,  dark  brown,  wrinkled ;  mass  of  spores  blackish  with 
purple  tinge;  columella  absent;  capillitium  springing  from  the 
base  of  the  sporangium,  threads  dingy  violet,  3 — 4  /x  thick, 
equal,  repeatedly  branching  in  a  dichotomous  manner,  fiimished 
with  a  swelling  at  the  base  of  each  dichotomy,  the  whole  com- 


Lepidoderma.  255 

bined    into    an    irregular    net;    spores   globose,   dingy   violet, 
minutely  warted,  11 — 13  /*  diameter. 

On  grass  and  twigs.     Sweden. 

(Type  in  Herb.,  Kew.) 

Plant  1*5  mm.  high,  1  mm.  diameter;  characterized  by  the 
obovate  sporangium  and  the  swelling  at  the  base  of  each 
bifurcation  of  the  capillitium.  The  minute  warts  on  the 
spores  often  show  a  tendency  to  become  elongated. 

Lepidoderma  Chailletii,  Rost. 

Sporangia  hemispherical,  adnate  lyy  a  broad  base  to  a  hypo- 
thallus,  blackish-violet,  with  numerous  shining  brown  pro- 
tuberances ;  columella  very  small,  brownish ;  threads  of  the 
capillitium  subviolaceous,  with  scattered  swollen  portions,  forming 
a  dense  net ;  spores  subviolaceous,  warted,  10 — 12  //,  diam. 

Host.,  Mon.,  p.  189,  fig.  179 ;  Sacc.,  Syll.,  vii.,  p.  387 ;  Cooke, 
Myx.  Brit.,  fig.  179. 

France;  Germany. 

Lepidoderma  Carestianum,  Rost. 

Plasmodiocarp  broadly  effused,  pulvinate,  flattened,  wall  mem- 
branaceous,  fragile,  greyish  brown,  with  numerous  rather  small 
white  squamules  of  lime ;  threads  of  capillitium  brownish  grey, 
yellowish,  or  almost  colourless,  branched,  and  sometimes  slightly 
rough  with  minute  granules  of  lime;  spores  globose,  warted, 
brown  with  tinge  of  purple,  14 — 15  p  diam. 

Rost.,  Mon.,  p.  188 ;  Sacc.,  Syll.,  vii.,  p.  387. 

Rcticularia  Carcstiana,  Rabenh.,  MS.,  and  in  Rab.,  Fung.  Eur., 
n.  436. 

On  twigs.     Italy ;  Belgium. 

A  peculiar  species  surrounding  thin  twigs  like  a  cushion, 
1  mm.  thick,  and  extending  for  1  cm.  or  more  in  length. 

Section  doubtful. 
Lepidoderma  Kurzii,  Berk. 
Sporangium   globose,   stipitate,   nodding,    obscure    yellowish- 


256  A  Monograph  of  the  Myxogaslres. 

green  with  sulphur-coloured  patches  of  lime ;  stem  slender,  attenu- 
ated upwards  and  curved,  sulphur-coloured,  or  whitish,  becoming 
brownish  towards  the  base;  hypothallus  spreading;  spores 
blackish-brown,  globose. 

Berk.,  in  Herb.,  n.  10,785. 

On  palm.     Java. 

The  above  description,  accompanied  by  sketches,  is  in  Berke- 
ley's Herbarium,  but  the  specimen  has  disappeared,  hence  I  am 
unable  to  supplement  the  diagnosis. 

SPUMARIA,  Pers. 

Aethalium  consisting  of  numerous  crowded,  irregularly 
branched  sporangia,  the  whole  at  first  surrounded  by  a  common 
friable  cortex  containing  granules  of  lime ;  sporangia  dendritic, 
the  thin  walls  containing  granules  of  lime;  coluraella  central, 
not  containing  lime,  sending  off  branches  into  the  lobes  of 
the  sporangium;  threads  of  the  capillitium  forming  a  dense 
network,  extending  from  the  columella  to  the  walls  of  the 
sporangium. 

Spumaria,  Pers.,  Disp.,  t.  1,  figs,  a,  b,c;  Host.,  Mon.,  p.  191 ; 
Cooke,  Myx.  Brit.,  p.  45 ;  Sacc.,  Syll.,  p.  338;  Zopf,  153. 

The  present  genus,  along  with  Diachaea,  form  a  transition  from 
the  Lithodermeae  to  the  Columelliferae-;  showing  affinity  with 
the  former  in  the  presence  of  granules  of  lime  in  the  sporangial 
walls,  and  with  the  latter  in  the  central,  elongated  columella. 

Distrib.  Europe ;  United  States ;  Canada ;  Australia ;  S. 
Africa;  Ceylon.  Species  1. 

Spumaria  alba,  D.  C. 

Common  cortex  whitish,  ileciduous ;  sporangia  numerous, 
dendritic ;  columella  empty,  branched,  shorter  than  the  branches 
of  the  sporangium,  capillitium  springing  from  the  columella  and 
passing  to  the  wall  of  the  sporangium,  branches  2 — 4  /A  thick, 
forming  a  dense  irregular  net,  widened  at  the  angles,  obscure 
violet  or  brownish ;  spores  globose,  verruculose,  obscure  purple, 
10 — 13  n  diameter. 

Spumaria  alba,  D.  C.,  Flor.  Fr.,  ii.,  261 ;  Host.,  Mon.,  p.  191, 


Spumaria.  257 

i 

figs.  158,  172,  175;  Cke.,  Myx.  Brit,  p.  45,  figs.  158,  172,  175; 
Schroeter,  p.  120 ;  Raunk.,  Myx.  Dan.,  p.  89 ;  Sacc.,  Syll.,  1338. 

Exsicc.— Rab.,  Fung.  Eur.,  1323 ;  Lib.,  PI.  Crypt.  Ard.,  Fasc. 
II.,  179 ;  Karat.,  Fung.  Feun.,  497 ;  Fckl.,  Fung.  Rhen.,  1471 ; 
Syd.,  Myc.  March.,  397;  Desm.,  Cr.  Fr.,  ser.  I.,  768;  Kunze, 
Fung.  Sel.,  198. 

On  wood,  bark,  leaves,  twigs,  grass,  &c.  Britain  (Kew, 
Scarboro',  Carlisle,  Capel  Curig,  Aboyne,  N.  B.) ;  Germany ; 
France ;  Belgium ;  Italy ;  Hungary ;  Denmark ;  United  States ; 
Canada;  Australia;  S.  Africa;  Ceylon. 

The  plasmodium  often  creeps  up  the  stems  of  grasses  for 
a  distance  of  several  inches,  forming  aethalia  'varying  from 
^ — 2  inches  or  more  in  length,  at  first  covered  with  the  thick, 
white,  common  cortex,  which  soon  falls  away,  leaving  the 
numerous,  crowded,  branched  sporangia  arranged  in  a  dendritic 
manner,  and  of  a  bluish-grey  colour.  Mass  of  spores  blackish, 
very  copious  and  pulverulent. 

(Rostafinski's  Synonyms.) 

Mucilago,  2,  Mich.,  t.  96,  f.  2  (1729). 

Mucorii,  Gled.  Meth.,  p.  160  (1753). 

Mucilago  Crustacea  alba,  Batt.,  t.  40,  f.  9,  H.  I.  (1755). 

Mucilago,  Hall,  n.  2129  (1768). 

Byssus  bombycina,  Retz.,  V.  Handl.,  251  (1769). 

Mucilago  filamentosa,  Bonamy.,  t.  3  (1772). 

Beticularia  alba,  Bull,  t.  326  (1791). 

Spumaria  mucilago,  Pers.,  Disp.,  t.  1,  f.  a,  b,  c  (1797). 

Rcticularia  ovata,  Var.,  With.  Arr.,  iv.,  1978  (1803). 

Spumaria  comuta,  Schum.,  Saell.,   1415   (1803);   Fl.    Dan., 

t.  1978,  f.  1. 
Spumaria  alba,  D.  C.,   Fl.   Fr.,   ii.,  261    (1805) ;  Fr.,   Syst. 

Myc.,  iii.,  25;  Eng.  FL,  v.,  310;  Cooke,  Hdbk.,  n.  1103. 
Spumaria  alba,  a.  laminosa,  /3.  cornuta,  Fr.,  S.  M.,  iii.,  95 

(1829). 

Didymium  spumarioides,  Fr.,  S.  M.,  iii.,  95  (1829). 
Diderma  spumariaeforme,  Wallr.,  Fl.  Germ.,  2208  (1833). 


258  A  Monograph  of  the  Myxogastres. 

DIACHAEA,  Fr. 

Wall  of  sporangium  without  lime  externally,  but  sometimes 
containing  scattered  granules  on  its  inner  surface,  thin,  usually 
with  metallic  tints ;  columella  either  thick  and  elongated,  rigid 
with  amorphous  lumps  of  lime,  or  more  or  less  rudimentary 
and  represented  by  an  accumulation  of  lime  at  base  of  spor- 
angium; capillitium  forming  a  dense  net,  springing  from  the 
columella  or  base  of  sporangium,  threads  usually  coloured, 
without  lime,  thickest  at  the  point  of  origin. 

Diachaea,  Fries,  Syst.  Orb.  Veg.,  i.,  p.  143 ;  Fr.,  Syst.  Myc., 
iii.,  p.  155;  Host,  Mon.,  p.  190;  Cooke,  Myx.  Brit.,  p.  44; 
Sacc.,  Syll.,  p.  387. 

Although  placed  in  a  different  order  by  Rostafinski,  Lampro- 
derma  approaches  the  present  genus  so  closely,  that  it  is  open 
to  doubt  whether  the  two  genera,  as  at  present  understood, 
should  not  be  merged  into  one.  The  generic  diagnoses  of  the 
two,  as  given  by  Rostafinski,  illustrate  the  two  poles  of  the 
genus  in  the  larger  sense,  and  read  very  distinct,  but  when  a 
complete  sequence  of  the  species  included  in  the  two  genera 
are  examined,  then  the  difficulty  of  "  drawing  the  line  "  becomes 
only  too  apparent,  and  the  only  character  that  remains  is,  the 
presence  of  lime  in  the  columella  and  stem  in  Diachaea,  and 
its  absence  in  Lamprodcnna.  In  Lamproderma  violacea,  Fr., 
the  columella  is  filled  with  large  vesicles  as  in  Trichia  fallax, 
•and  in  Lamprodcrma  suboeneus,  B.,  well-developed  granules  of 
lime  are  by  no  means  rare  in  the  threads  of  the  capillitium ; 
lime  is  by  no  means  always  absent  from  the  capillitium  of 
several  species  of  Stemonitis,  and  other  genera  belonging  to 
the  order  Amaurochaete,  the  most  important  feature  of  which 
consists  in  the  absence  of  lime. 

Diachaea  is  as  far  from  being  a  typical  member  of  the 
Calcareae,  owing  to  the  entire  absence  of  lime  on  the  surface 
of  the  wall  of  the  sporangium,  as  it  is  from  being  typical  of 
the  AmaurocJuieteae  on  account  of  the  lime  contained  in  the 
columella  and  stem. 

Distrib.  Europe;  United  States ;  W.  Indies;  Brazil;  S.Africa; 
India ;  Australia ;  New  Zealand.  Species  5. 


Diachaea.  „  259 

Sub- Gen.     Diachaea. 

Columella  well  developed,  elongated, .  rigid  with  amorphous 
masses  of  lime. 

A.     Spores  smooth. 

Diachaea  confusa,  Mass.  (n.  sp.). 

Gregarious,  springing  from  a  thin,  irregular,  yellowish  hypo- 
thallus ;  sporangia  elliptico-cylindrical,  stipitate,  obscure  purple, 
iridescent,  stem  equal  to,  or  a  little  shorter  than  the  sporangium, 
pale  ochraceous,  subequal,  slightly  wrinkled  longitudinally; 
columella  two-thirds  the  height  of  the  sporangium,  dirty  pale 
ochraceous,  subclavate,  filled  with  masses  of  lime,  very  brittle; 
threads  of  the  capillitium  springing  from  the  columella,  much 
branched  and  irregularly  anastomosing  to  form  a  very  dense  net, 
about  3  /A  thick  near  the  columella,  tapering,  pale  olive  or 
smoky;  spores  at  first  in  clusters  of  6 — 8,  smooth,  globose,  5 — 6  /z 
diameter,  dingy  lilac. 

(Type  in  Herb.,  Kew.) 

Sporangia  2'5 — 3  mm.  high ;  distinguished  by  the  ochraceous 
subequal  stem  and  the  small  spores  in  clusters  of  6 — 8.  The 
capillitium  is  very  dense,  and  the  columella  so  very  brittle 
that  it  requires  care  to  see  it  intact. 

On  living  geranium  leaves.     Jamaica. 

Diachaea  leucopoda,  Rost.  (figs.  165,  166). 

Gregarious,  springing  from  a  spreading  white  hypothallus; 
sporangia  elliptico-cylindrical,  stipitate,  brownish-purple,  some- 
times iridescent,  often  subumbilicate  below ;  stem  shorter  than 
sporangium,  white,  thin  above,  expanding  considerably  downwards, 
smooth ;  passing  upwards  as  a  thick,  equal  or  slightly  tapering 
columella  about  two-thirds  the  length  of  the  sporangium,  white, 
aud  filled  with  granules  of  lime ;  mass  of  spores  blackish ; 
capillitium  dense,  threads  springing  from  the  columella  where 
they  are  3 — 4  /x  thick,  much  branched  and  irregularly  anasto- 
mosing to  form  a  dense  net,  becoming  thinner  and  attached 


260          A  Monograph  of  the  Myxogastres. 

to  the  wall  of  the  sporangium,  dusky  or  almost  colourless ; 
spores  globose,  minutely  verruculosc,  lilac,  7 — 9  p.  diameter. 

DiacJiaea  leucopoda,  Host.,  Mon.,  p.  190,  f.  178;  Cooke,  Myx. 
Brit.,  p.  44,  f.  178 ;  Sacc.,  Syll,  n.  1335. 

Exsicc.— Rab.,  Fung.  Eur.,  434  and  1071;  Roum.,  Fung. 
Gall.,  3174;  Klotzsch  (Rab.),- Herb.  Myc.,  36 ;  Syd.,  Myc.  March., 
1900;  Rav.,  Fung.  Car.,  80;  Desm.,  Or.  Fr.,  Fasc.  ii.,  261; 
Fckl.,  Fung.  Rhen.,  1451 ;  Westendorp,  Crypt.  Belg.,  1260. 

On  leaves,  twigs,  &c.  Britain  (King's  Cliffe,  Carlisle,  Lin- 
lithgow) ;  France ;  Germany ;  Belgium ;  United  States  ;  Cuba ; 
Brazil ;  S.  Africa ;  India ;  E.  Australia. 

Varying  from  1'5 — 2  mm.  high,  characterized  by  the  white, 
acutely  conical  stem,  and  smooth  spores  not  produced  in 
clusters. 

(Rostafinski's  Synonyms.) 

Trichia  leucopoda,  Bull.,  t.  502,  f.  2  (1791). 

Sttinonitis  elegans,  Trent,  in  Roth.,  Cat.,  220  (1797). 

Stemonitis  leucostyla,  Pers.,  Syn.,  186  (1801). 

Stemonitis  leucopoda,  D.  C.,  Fl.  Fr.,  ii.,  257  (1805). 

Diachaea  elegans,  Fr.,  Stirp.  Femsj.,  p.  84  (1825) ;  Fr.,  S.  M., 

iii.,   156;    Berk,   Ann.   N.   H.,  n.    112;    Cooke,   Hdbk., 

n.  1154,  f.  131. 
Diachaea  leucopoda,  Rost.,  Mon.,  p.  190  (1875). 

Var.  cylindrica,  Mass. 

Sporangium  cylindrical,  elongated,  stem  cylindrical. 
Exsicc.— Ellis,  N.  Amer.  Fung.,  336. 
On  pine  wood  lying  on  the  ground.     United  States. 
Differs  from  the  type  form  in  its  larger  size,  2'5 — 3  mm. 
'high;   the  longer  cylindrical   stem,  and   elongated,  cylindrical 
sporangium. 

Diachaea  Hookeri,  Mass. 

Sporangia  spherical,  slightly  flattened  or  umbilicate  below, 
wall  thin,  pale  ochracevtis  or  with  a  flesh  tinge,  slightly  iridescent, 
with  minute  granules  in  detached  patches  on  the  inside ;  stem 


Diactiaea.  261 

about  equal  to  sporangium,  stout,  expanded  at  the  base  into 
a  circular  hypothallus,  longitudinally  rugulose,  colour  of  spor- 
angium ;  columella  pale,  cylindrical,  about  half  the  height  of  the 
sporangium,  containing  irregular  masses  of  lime ;  threads  of 
capillitium  springing  from  the  columella,  irregularly  branching 
and  anastomosing  to  form  a  dense  net,  attached  by  its  ultimate 
branches  to  the  wall  of  the  sporangium,  threads  3 — 4  fj.  broad 
near  the  columella,  flattened,  tapering,  pale  dirty  lilac  to 
colourless ;  spores  globose,  minutely  warted,  brownish  lilac, 
11 — 14  fj.  diameter. 

Diderma  HooJceri,  Berk.,  Fl.,  New  Zealand,  p.  191,  T.  CV., 
f.  12. 

Lamproderma  HooJceri,  Host.,  Mon.  Append.,  p.  24. 
(Type  in  Herb.,  Kew.) 

Gregarious  on  living  fronds  of  Hymenophyllum.    New  Zealand. 

A  true  Diachaea,  as  the  genus  is  at  present  defined,  and  well 
marked  by  the  pale  coloured  globose  sporangium,  and  the  large 
spores. 

(Rostafinski's  Synonym.) 
Diderma  HooJceri,  Berk.,  FL,  New  Zeal.,  p.  191,  T.  CV.,  f.  12. 

Sub-Gen.     Hemidiachaea. 

Columella  short  or  obsolete,  and  represented  by  a  few  lime 
granules  at  base  of  sporangium. 

B.     Spores  with  irregular,  raised  lands. 

Diachaea  splendens,  Peck  (figs.  37,  38). 

Sporangia  spherico-depressed  and  umbilicate  leloiv,  or  reniform, 
solitary  or  fasciculate  on  a  common  stem,  deep  peacock-blue 
or  purple,  iridescent ;  stem  equal  to  or  shorter  than  sporangium, 
white,  expanding  into  a  vague  hypothallus;  columella  white, 
cylindrical  or  reniform,  containing  lime ;  capillitium  dense, 
threads  brown,  anastomosing  to  form  a  network  extending  from 
the  columella  to  the  sporangial  wall;  spores  globose,  purple- 


262          A  Monograph  of  the  Myxogastres. 

brown,  with  scattered,  broad,  irregularly-shaped  raised  lands  of 
various  lengths,  8 — 11  p.  diameter. 

Diachaea  splendens,  Peck,  30th  Report,  State  Mus.  Nat.  Hist., 
p.  50;  Sacc.,  Syll.,  1336. 

On  leaves,  &c.     United  States. 

For  specimens  of  the  present  very  distinct  and  beautiful 
species,  I  am  indebted  to  Mr.  Harold  Wingate,  of  Philadelphia. 

Gregarious,  about  1'5  mm.  high,  evidently  allied  to  Diachaea 
leucopoda,  but  abundantly  distinct  in  the  spore  marking,  and 
the  short  reniform  sporangia  and  columella. 

Diachaea  subsessilis,  Peck. 

Gregarious  or  crowded ;  sporangia  subglobose,  sessile,  or  with 
a  very  short  white  stem,  the  walls  delicate,  iridescent  with 
various  metallic  tints;  columella  obsolete;  capillitium  and  mass 
of  spores  violet-brown ;  spores  globose,  rough,  '0004' — '0005'  in 
diameter  (  -  about  12*5  n  ). 

Dilfahaea  subsessilis,  Peck,  31st  Report,  State  Mus.,  p.  41. 

Fallen  leaves.     Adirondack  Mountains,  U.  States. 

This  is  a  most  singular  species,  and  apparently  very  rare. 
In  its  lack  of  a  distinct  columella,  it  departs  from  the  generic 
character,  bat  it  cannot  be  placed  in  the  genus  Lamproderma, 
for  the  same  objection  would  hold  there,  and  besides  that, 
another  is  found  in  the  presence  of  lime  granules  in  the  stem. 
Even  when  no  distinct  stem  is  present,  a  small  whitish  mass 
of  granules  can  generally  be  seen  at  the  point  of  attachment. 
The  capillitium  appears  to  originate  at  the  base  of  the  spor- 
angium. The  spores  are  larger,  but  less  rough  than  those  of 
D.  splendens.  (Peck.) 

I  have  had  no  opportunity  of  examining  the  present  species, 
hence  can  add  nothing  to  the  vague  description  of  the  epispore. 

Snbord.     PHYSARAE. 

CRATERIUM,  Trent. 

Sporangia  usually  distinct  and  stipitate,  wall  consisting  of  two 
or  three  distinct  layers,  dehiscing  by  a  sharply-differentiated 


Craterium.         .  263 

apical  lid,  or  by  an  irregularly  circumscissile  separation  of  the 
undifferentiated  apical  portion  of  the  sporangium,  basal  portion 
of  sporangium  persistent  after  dehiscence ;  capillitium  of  stout 
threads  attached  at  numerous  points  to  the  sporangial  wall, 
combined  to  form  an  irregular,  rigid  network,  containing  a  large 
quantity  of  lime  which  is  usually  localized  in  swollen,  irregular, 
often  more  or  less  flattened  portions ;  these  towards  the  base 
of  the  sporangium  are  compacted  to  form  an  irregular  columella. 

Craterium,  Trent.,  Obs.  Bot. ;  Host.,  Mon.,  p.  118;  Cke.,  Myx. 
Brit.,  p.  18 ;  Zopf,  p.  146 ;  Sacc.,  Syll.,  vii.,  1,  p.  355. 

The  species  of  Craterium  are  more  or  less  gregarious  in  habit, 
but  rarely  crowded,  although  now  and  again  specimens  occur 
with  the  sporangia  more  or  less  confluent,  the  stems  remaining 
distinct.  The  sporangia  persist  for  a  long  time  after  dehiscence, 
owing  to  the  rigidity  qf  the  wall  and  capillitium,  and  in  this 
stage  resemble  in  shape  miniature  wine-glasses.  Craterium  is 
closely  allied  to  JBadhamia,  differing  more  especially  in  the 
double  wall  and  the  presence  of  a  columella,  and  the  circum- 
scissile dehiscence. 

Distrib.  Europe;  Algeria;  Natal;  Ceylon;  Tasmania;  Brazil; 
United  States.  Species  13. 

A.  Dehiscence  ~by  the  separation  of  a  distinct  lid  at  apex  of 
sporangium. 

Craterium  confusum,  Mass.  (fig.  289). 

Sporangia  variable  in  form,  cyathiform,  infundibuliform,  or 
pyriform,  stipitate  or  rarely  subsessile,  varying  in  colour  from 
bright  brown,  through  ochraceous  to  nearly  white,  lid  sharply 
differentiated  from  wall  of  sporangium,  flat  or  slightly  convex, 
usually  chalky-white,  rarely  ochraceous,  deciduous ;  stem  variable 
in  length  and  depth  of  colour ;  capillitium  abundant,  knots  of 
lime  large,  irregular,  white  or  yellowish,  usually  by  aggregation 
forming  a  more  or  less  distinct  columella ;  spores  globose,  dirty 
violet,  very  minutely  verruculose,  8 — 11  /x  diameter. 

Craterium  vulgare,  Host.,  Mon.,  p.  118,  figs.  94,  96;  Cke., 
Brit.  Myx.,  p.  18,  figs.  94,  96. 


264  A  Monograph  of  the  Myxogastres. 

Crater ium  pyriforme,  Rost.,  MOD.,  p.  120;  Cke.,  Brit.  Myx., 
p.  19;  Sacc.,  Syll,  n.  1234. 

Craterium  minutum,  Rost.,  Mon.,  p.  120,  f.  95;  Cke.,  Myx. 
Brit,  p.  19,  f.  95 ;  Raunk,  Myx.  Dan.,  p.  79. 

Craterium  pedunculatum,  Sacc.,  Syll.,  1233 ;  Raunk.,  Myx. 
Dan.,  p.  79. 

Exsicc. — Cke.,  Fung.  Brit.,  Ed.  II,  208  (as  C.  minutum); 
Fckl.,  Fung.  Rhen.,  1453;  Roura.,  Fung.  Gall.,  2957;  Syd., 
Myc.  March,  489;  Desm,  Cr.  Fr,  Ser.  L,  369;  Fckl.,  Fung. 
Rhen.,  1454  (as  Craterium  pyriforme). 

On  leaves,  twigs,  bark,  moss,  &c.  Britain  (Kew,  Weybridge, 
Penzance,  Apethorpe,  Bungay,  Lyme  Regis,  Shere,  Scarboro', 
Carlisle,  Abergaveimy,  Appin,  Glamis,  N.  B.);  Germany; 
Hungary;  France;  Italy;  Finland;  Belgium;  Bavaria;  Sweden; 
United  States ;  Cuba ;  Brazil ;  N.  Zealand ;  Australia ;  Natal ; 
Tasmania. 

After  a  careful  examination  of  numerous  specimens  from 
Europe  and  other  parts  of  the  world,  I  find  that  the  only  course 
left  is'  to  combine  the  three  species  and  five  varieties  acknow- 
ledged by  Saccardo,  into  one  species  characterized  by  the  sharply- 
differentiated  operculum,  which  is  usually  chalk-white,  and 
flat  or  slightly  convex,  and  the  dull-coloured  sporangium.  In 
the  above  idea  I  am  confirmed,  or  rather  anticipated,  by  Mr. 
A.  Lister,  who,  during  a  critical  examination  of  the  Myxogastres 
in  the  Kew  Herbarium,  has  attached  the  following  note  to 
the  specimen-sheet  of  (7.  vulgare.  "  I  have  added  to  the  col- 
lection some  specimens  of  Craterium  vulgare,  representing  a 
few  varieties  in  form  and  colour  from  a  heap  of  dead  leaves 
in  my  grounds  at  Lyme  Regis.  The  white  form  is  abundant 
in  such  localities,  and  given  in  several  of  the  Kew  specimens, 
is  the  result  of  age  and  exposure,  on  originally  more  deeply 
coloured,  but  pale  sporangia.  I  have  cultivated  a  large 
number  of  sporangia  from  orange-yellow  plasmodium,  and 
gathered  many  thousands  of  the  ripe  fruits  during  the  last 
three  years  from  this  particular  heap.  Among  them  I  find 
all  the  characters  given  in  the  description  of  Rostafinski's  three 
species,  C.  vulgare,  C.  pyrifwim,  and  C.  minutum,  with  (as  it 


Craterium.  265 

appears  to  me)  all  shades  of  intermediate  form.  From  careful 
observation  of  sporangia  developed  from  plasmodium,  both  in 
the  open  air  and  under 'bell-jars,  I  believe  that  while  varying 
in  form  and  colour,  they  belong  specifically  to  one  species.  The 
plasmodium  appears  to  be  always  ultimately,  of  a  more  or  less 
orange-yellow,  though  in  some  stages  it  is  often  dirty  brown 
from  the  quantity  of  foreign  matter  held  in  suspension. 
The  differences  in  form  and  colour  of  the  sporangium  are  the 
only  characters  by  which  these  three  species  (?)  are  separated, 
and  these  characters  vary  so  much  in  sporangia  rising  simul- 
taneously, and  apparently  from  the  same  plasmodium,  that,  I 
venture  to  submit,  they  cannot  be  considered  as  specific. 

"  In  all  varieties  the  wall  of  the  cup  consists  of  two  or  three 
layers,  the  outer  smooth,  with  granules  of  lime  equally  dis- 
tributed throughout  its  more  or  less  coloured  substance,  the 
inner  white,  and  heavily  charged  with  lime,  though  the  lime 
differs  in  amount  even  in  sporangia  of  the  same  cluster.  The 
lid  is  deciduous,  and  usually  paler  than  the  cup,  and  in  most 
instances  distinctly  marked  off  from  the  rim.  In  abnormal 
forms,  caused  by  rapid  drying,  the  lid  is  often  sunk  below  the  rim. 

"  The  capillitium  is  white,  consisting  of  large  knots  of  lime 
connected  by  scanty  hyaline  threads;  these  threads  are  some- 
times yellow,  when  the  colour  extends  over  the  inner  wall. 
A  central  aggregation  of  lime  knots  or  columella  is  sometimes 
present.  Spores  smooth,  5 — 9  ju,  bright  violet  or  violet-brown." 

The  appearance  of  the  epispore  depends  on  the  amount  of 
magnification.  I  find  in  Mr.  Lister's  own  specimens  that  under 
a  power  magnifying  1200  diameters  the  epispore  is  distinctly 
warted. 

(Rostafinski's  Synonyms.) 
(Under  C.  vulgare.) 

Fungoides    infundibiliforme,    pendulum,   pediculo    donatum, 

Mich.,  Nov.  PL  Gen.,  p.  205,  n.  10,  t.  86,  f.  13  (1729). 
Craterium  pedunculatum,  Trent.,  I.e.,  p.  244  (1797).- 
Craterium  vulgare,   Ditm.,   I.e.,   t.    9;   Nees,   Syst.,    f.    120; 
Chev,  Fl.  Par.,  t.  4,  f.  26  (1817). 


266  A  Monograph  of  the  Myxogastres. 

Craterium  leucocephalum,  Desm.,  Cat.  27,  non  Auct.  (1823). 

(Under  C.  $>yriforme.} 
Craterium  pyriforme,  Ditm.,  l.c.,  p.  19,  t.  10  (1817). 

(Under  C.  minutum.) 

Peziza  minuta,  Leers.,  Fl.  Herbor.,  n.  1085  (1775). 

Cyathus  minutus,  Hoff.,  Veg.  Crypt.,  p.  6,  t.  2,  f.  2 ;   Sow., 

Eng.  Fg.,  t.  239  (1790). 
Trichia  minuta,  Relh.,  Teste  Fr.  (1786). 
Nidularia  minuta,  With.  (1792). 

Sphaerocarpa  operculata,  Schum.,  Fl.  Saell.,  n.  1503  (1803). 
Physarum  turbinatum,  Schura.,  Fl.  Saell.,  n.  1450  (1803). 
Craterium  leucocephalum,  Grev.,  Fl.  Scot.,  t.  65  (?)  (1824). 
Craterium  minutum,  Fr.,  l.c.,  iii.,  p.  151  (1829). 
Craterium  turbinatum,  Fr.,  l.c.,  iii.,  p.  152  (1829). 
Arcyria  leucocephala,  Auct. 

Craterium  Oerstedtii,  Rost. 

Sporangia  pyriform,  along  with  the  stem  Uackish-lrrovm,  lid 
convex,  snow-white;  columella  distinct;  spores  pale  violet, 
8 — 10  p  diameter,  smooth. 

Craterium  Oerstedtii,  Rost.,  Mon.,  p.  120,  fig.  99;  Cke.,  Myx. 
Brit.,  fig.  99;  Sacc.,  Syll.,  vii.,  1,  n.  1235. 

On  wood.     Denmark. 

Unknown  to  me.  Appears  to  differ  from  C.  confusum  in  the 
darker-coloured  stem  and  sporangium. 

Craterium  Friesii,  Rost.  (fig.  265). 

Sporangia  cyathiform,  stipitate,  wall  smooth,  shining,  orange- 
red,  lid  distinct  from  cup,  whitish,  flattened,  stem  very  thin, 
equal,  longer  than  sporangium,  red;  capillitium  dense,  knots 
of  lime  large,  joined  by  short,  hyaline  internodes ;  spores  globose, 
brownish-violet,  smooth,  10 — 11  \i  diameter. 

Craterium  Friesii,  Rost.,  Mon.,  p.  122,  f.  105;  Cooke,  Brit. 
Myx.,  f.  105. 

Craterium  nutans,  Sacc.,  SylL,  1237. 


Crate  num.  267 

On  mosses,  decaying  lichens,  &c.  Britain  (Lyndhurst,  Haw- 
thornden,  Edinboro') ;  Sweden ;  Germany. 

From  1*5 — 2  mm.  high,  sporangia  and  stem  varying  from 
orange  to  deep  blood-red,  stem  elongated,  slender. 

B.     Apex  of  sporangium  not  differentiated  into  a  distinct  lid. 
Craterium  leucocephalum,  Rost.  (figs.  298 — 301). 

Sporangia  stipitate,  conico-cylindrical,  pyriform  or  subglobose, 
apex  rounded  and  eventually  breaking  away  in  a  circumscissile 
manner,  upper  portion  of  sporangium  whitish  and  rough  with 
minute,  innate  particles  of  lime  which  eventually  fall  away, 
leaving  minute  pits  in  the  wall,  basal  portion  of  sporangium 
dark  reddish-brown,  much  wrinkled;  capillitium  dense,  knots 
large,  irregular,  numerous,  usually  aggregated  in  the  centre  to 
form  a  columella,  granules  of  lime  colourless,  yellow  or  brownish  ; 
spores  globose,  dull  violet  or  brownish,  minutely  warted,  the 
wart  often  with  a  tendency  to  form  anastomosing  lines,  8 — 11  p 
diameter. 

Craterium  leucocephalum,  Rost.,  Mon.,  p.  123,  f.  98,  100 ; 
Cooke,  Myx.  Brit.,  p.  19,  f.  98,  100;  Kaunk.,  Myx.  Dan.,  p.  80, 
t.  4,  f.  12;  Sacc.,  Syll.,  1238. 

Exsicc. — Syd.,  Myc.  March.,  1500;  Fuckel,  Fung.  Rhen., 
1452;  Roum.,  Fung.  Gall.,  1679;  Rab.-Winter,  Fung.  Eur., 
2674. 

On  leaves,  twigs,  bark,  &c.  Britain  (Jedburgh,  Chiselhurst, 
Epping,  Gloucester,  Wanstead  Park,  Scarboro',  Carlisle,  Appin, 
N.  B.) ;  Germany ;  France ;  Italy ;  Denmark  ;  United  States  ; 
Brazil. 

Plasmodium  yellow.  Gregarious  or  scattered,  1*5 — 2  mm. 
high,  variable  in  form  and  length  of  stem,  the  upper  convex 
portion  of  the  sporangium  breaks  away  in  a  circumscissile 
manner,  there  is  not  a  differentiated  lid  as  in  C.  vulgare.  The 
present  species  is  best  characterized  by  the  pale  upper  portion 
of  the  sporangium  being  incrusted  with  minute  particles  of 
white  or  yellowish  lirne,  and  also  by  the  presence  of  numerous 
circular  discs  sunk  in  the  substance  of  the  wall;  these  discs  vary 


268          A  Monograph  of  the  Myxogastres. 

in  size  from  10 — 50  /u,  diameter,  have  the  margin  more  or  less 
grooved,  and  show  indications  of  lines  radiating  from  the  centre 
to  the  circumference.  These  discs  occur  also  rarely  in  the 
capillitium  threads. 

(Rostafinski's  Synonyms.) 

Fun^oides  minimum  infundibiliforme,  albicans,  pediculo  dona- 
turn.  Mich.,  Nov.  PL  Gen.,  p.  205,  n.  13,  t.  86,  f.  14 
(1729). 

Peziza  convivalis,  Batsch.,  Elenoh.  Fung.,  p.  121  (1781)  (not 
convivalvis,  as  erroneously  quoted  by  Rostafinski  and  Cooke). 

Stemonitis  leucocephala,  Pers.,  in  Gmel.,  Syst.  Nat.,  p.  1467, 
n.  9  (1791). 

Stemonitis  cyathiformis,  Schrnk.,  I.e.,  p.  19  (1790). 

Trichia  cinerea,  Trent.,  l.c.,  p.  227  (1797). 

Arcyria  leucocephala,  Hoffm.,  Fl.  Cr.  ger.,  t.  6,  f.  1  (1795). 

Physarum  pedunculatum,  Schum.,  FL  Saell.,  n.  1453  (1803). 

Trtchiae  aureae  affinis,  FL  Dan.,  t.  1314,  f.  2  (1810). 

Cyathus  cinereus,  Purt.,  Brit.,  iii.,  n.  1561,  t.  35  (1817). 

Craterium  leucocephalum,  Ditm.,  I.e.,  t.  11,  Grev.,  FL  Scot., 
t.  65  (1817). 

Craterium  vulgare,  Chev.,  Fl.  Paris,  340,  non  Ditm.  (1826). 

Physarum  leucostictum,  Chev.,  Fl.  Paris,  p.  336,  t.  9,  f.  29 
(1826). 

Craterium  leucostictum,  Fr.,  l.c.,  iii.,  p.  152  (1829). 

Cupularia  leucocephala,  Lk.,  Hdbk.,  iii.,  421  (1833). 

Physarurn  xanthopus,  Wallr.,  in  Sched.  (1833). 

Craterium  xanthopm,  Walk,  Fl.  Germ.,  ii.,  358  (1836). 

Craterium  deoperculatum,  Fr.,  in  Wein.,  I.e.,  p.  597  (1836). 

Cupularia  xanthopus,  Rabh.,  FL  Cr.  Germ.,  n.  2226  (1844). 

Craterium  pruinomm,  Corda,  Icon.,  vi.,  p.  13,  t.  2,  f.  33  (1854). 

Craterium  cylindricum,  Mass.  (n.  sp.)  (fig.  213). 

Scattered  or  gregarious,  stipitate,  sporangium  cylindrical, 
elongated,  apex  rounded,  smooth,  even,  lower  portion  pale  clear 
red,  white  above,  upper  portion  breaking  away  in  a  circum- 


Craterium.  269 

scissile  manner;  stem  thin,  elongated,  red,  like  base  of  spor- 
angium ;  capillitium  dense,  nodes  very  large,  irregularly  angular, 
filled  with  yellowish  granules  of  lime,  connected  at  various 
points  by  long,  very  thin  internodes  not  containing  lime,  com- 
bined at  the  base  of  the  sporangium  to  form  a  short  columella  ; 
spores  dirty  lilac,  globose,  smooth,  9 — 10  /a  diameter. 

Exsicc. — Ellis,  North  Amer.  Fung.,  exs.,  n.  1400  (as  Craterium 
leucocepha  luni). 

On  twigs,  &c.     United  States. 

Stem  about  two-thirds  the  length  of  the  sporangium,  2 — 2'5 
mm.  high.  Allied  to  G.  leucocephalum,  but  .distinguished  by 
the  elongated,  narrowly  cylindrical  sporangium;  the  long,  thin 
internodes  of  the  capillitium,  and  the  smooth  spores. 


Craterium  aureum,  Eost.  (figs.  257 — 261). 

Sporangia  elliptic-oblong,  subglobose,  or  pyriform,  stipitate, 
wall  thick,  brittle,  rugulose,  from  bright  lemon-yellow  to  reddish- 
orange,  upper  convex  portion  breaking  away  in  an  irregularly 
circumscissile  manner;  stem  usually  shorter  than  sporangium, 
orange-yellow,  subequal,  expanding  at  the  base  into  a  small 
hypothallus;  capillitium  dense  with  numerous  large,  irregular 
knots  with  yellow  or  white  granules  of  lime,  connected  ~by  elon- 
gated, thin,  empty  internodes;  knots  aggregated  in  the  centre 
towards  the  base  to  form  a  columella ;  spores  globose,  brownish- 
lilac,  minutely  verruculose,  8 — 10  p  diameter. 

Craterium  aureum,  Host,  Hon.,  p.  124;  Cooke,  Brit.  Myx., 
p.  20 ;  Sacc.,  Syll.,  1239. 

Craterium  mutabile,  Fr.,  S.  M.,  iii.,  p.  154. 

On  leaves,  bark,  twigs,  moss,  &c.  Britain  (Kew,  Carlisle, 
Lyndhurst,  Appin,  N.  B.) ;  Sweden ;  Germany ;  Algeria ;  United 
States. 

Plasmodium  clear  lemon-yellow.  Scattered,  T5  mm.  high, 
distinguished  by  the  rugulose,  bright  yellow,  rigid  sporangium, 
and  the  long  slender  internodes  in  the  capillitium,  in  which 
respect  the  present  species  approaches  the  genus  Physarum. 


270          A  Monograph  of  the  Myxogastres. 

(Rostafinski's  Synonyms.) 

Trichea  aurea,  Schum.,  Fl.  Saell.,  1461  (1803). 
Craterium  mutalile,  Fr.,  I.e.,  iii.,  p.  154,  non  S.  Gast.  (1829). 
Cupularia  mutabilis,  Rab.,  Fl.  Germ.,  Cr.,  n.  2225  (1844). 
Physarum  Durieui,  M.,  Herb. 

Craterium  rnbiginosum,  Mass.  (figs.  309,  310). 

Sporangia  globose,  broadly  elliptical,  or  obovate,  stipitate, 
dehiscing  in  a  more  or  less  regular  circumscissile  manner,  lower 
portion  of  sporangium  permanent,  reddish-brown,  often  with  a 
purple  tinge,  lid  or  apical  portion  paler,  sometimes  whitish ; 
stem  about  equal  in  length  to  sporangium,  stout,  dark  red- 
brown,  passing  downwards  into  a  spreading  hypothallus; 
capillitium  dense,  white,  threads  aggregated  in  the  centre  to  form 
a  dark-coloured  columclla ;  spores  dingy  violet,  globose,  minutely 
warted,  warts  sometimes  more  or  less  arranged  in  lines,  10 — 13  n 
diamercr. 

Badhamia  rubiginosa,  Host.,  Mon.  App.,  p.  29 ;  Sacc.,  Syll., 
vii.,  n.  1158. 

Scyphium  rulriginosum,  Rost.,  Mon.,  p.  148,  fig.  115;  Cke., 
Myx.  Brit.,  p.  29,  fig.  115. 

Exsicc.— Ellis,  N.  Amer.  Fung.,  1215. 

On  wood.  Britain  (Appin,  N.  B.) ;  Germany ;  France ;  United 
States. 

Gregarious,  2'5 — 3  mm.  high. 

(Rostafinski's  Synonym.) 

Physarwn  rubiginosum,  Chev.,  Fl.  Par.,  338  (1826) ;  Eng.  Fl., 
v.,  315;  Cke.,  Hdbk.,  n.  1137. 

Craterium  dictyospermum,  Mass.  (figs.  305,  306). 

Sporangia  globose  or  obovate,  dehiscing  in  a  circumscissile 
manner  or  irregularly,  lower  portion  of  sporangium  permanent, 
reddish-brown,  becoming  paler  or  whitish  at  the  apex;  stem 
about  equal  in  length  to  the  sporangium,  rather  stout,  dark 


Cratei'ium.  271 

brown ;  capillitium  dense,  white,  threads  aggregated  in  the  centre 
to  form  a  brownish  columella;  spores  violet  with  usually  a 
brown  tinge,  globose,  covered  with  irregular  simple  or  branched 
ridges,  which  here  and  there  combine  to  form  an  imperfect  network, 
10 — 14  \i  diameter. 

Badhamia  dictyospora,  Host.,  Mon.  App.,  p.  4 ;  Cke.,  Myx. 
Brit.,  p.  82. 

On  wood,  moss,  &c.     Britain  (Carlisle) ;  United  States. 

Gregarious,  2 — 3  mm.  high  ;  indistinguishable  from  C.  ru- 
biginosum,  except  by  the  nature  of  the  markings  on  the  epispore. 
May  possibly  prove  to  be  a  form  of  the  last-named  species. 

(Rostafinski's  Synonyms.) 

Physarum  canum,  Klotzsch.,  Hb.  Hook. 
Physarum  rubiginosum,  Berk.,  Eng.  Fl.,  v.,  p.  315. 

Craterium  lilacinum,  Mass.  (figs.  307,  308). 

Sessile,  aggregated,  globose,  smooth,  reddish-lilac,  capillitium 
threads  variable  in  diameter,  clustered  together  in  the  centre  and 
forming  an  irregular  columella  ;  spores  purple,  sometimes  tinged 
with  brown,  globose,  epispore  furnished  with  short,  irregular 
ridges,  which  sometimes  combine  to  form  an  irregular  network, 
12 — 16  ju.  diameter. 

Badhamia  lilacina,  Host,  Mon.,  p.  145,  figs.  108,  109;  Cke., 
Myx.  Brit.,  p.  27,  figs.  108,  109 ;  Sacc.,  Syll.,  vii.,  n.  1156. 

Exsicc. — Syd.,  Myc.  March.,  1297  (as  Leocarpus  vernicosus). 

On  rotten  wood,  bark,  twigs,  &c.  Britain  (Carlisle);  Ger- 
many ;  United  States. 

Usually  crowded,  sporangia  seated  on  a  broad  base,  wall 
generally  smooth,  but  sometimes  rather  rough.  The  present 
species  may  eventually  prove  to  be  a  sessile  form  of  C.  dictyo- 
spermum. 

(Rostafinski's  Synonym.) 
Physarum  lilacinum,  Fr.,  I.e.,  iii.,  p.  141  (1829). 


272  A  Monograph  of  the  Myxogastres. 

Craterium  Curtisii,  Mass. 

Gregarious,  sessile,  obovate,  fixed  by  a  point  to  a  very  thin 
hypothallus,  umber-brown,  wall  thin,  smooth  or  sometimes  rugu- 
lose,  soon  disappearing  at  the  apex;  capillitium  dense,  nodes 
large,  irregular,  separated  only  by  sJwrt  constrictions,  everywhere 
containing  pale  brown  granules  of  lime,  the  nodes  become 
confluent  towards  the  base  and  form  an  irregular  columella ; 
spores  brown  with  indistinct  lilac  tinge,  globose,  minutely  warted, 
7 — 8  n  diameter. 

Badhamia  Curtisii,  Host.,  Mon.  App.,  p.  3;  Sacc.,  Syll.,  vii., 
1,  n.  1159. 

Didymium  Curtisii,  Berk.,  Grev.,  vol.  ii.,  p.  65.  (Type  in 
Herb.  Berk.,  n.  10,758.) 

Scyphium  Curtisii,  Host,  Mon.,  p.  149. 

On  leaves,  grass,  &c.     United  States. 

Sporangial  wall  very  thin,  shining,  containing  very  little  or 
no  linjE.  About  1  mm.  high. 

Craterium  Fuckelii,  Mass.  (n.  sp.). 

Sporangia  perfectly  globose,  contracted  below  into  a  short, 
stout  stem,  every  part  brmvnish-ochre,  upper  portion  breaking 
away  in  an  irregularly  circumscissile  manner;  nodes  of  capil- 
litium large,  angular,  combining  towards  the  base  to  form  an 
irregular  columella;  spores  dirty  lilac,  globose,  rather  coarsely 
warted,  12 — 14  p  diameter. 

Craterium  mutabik,  Fr.,  in  Fuckel's  Fung.  Uhen.,  Exs.,  n. 
1455.  (Kew  copy.) 

On  wood.     Germany. 

Distinct  from  C.  aureum  in  the  globose,  differently-coloured 
sporangia,  the  absence  of  the  long,  thin  internodes  of  the 
capillitium,  and  the  larger,  coarsely-warted  spores. 

Craterium  minimum,  B.  and  C. 

Sporangia  broadly  elliptical,  apex  convex,  breaking  away  in 
an  irregularly  circumscissile  manner,  pale  yellow,  becoming 


Physarum.  273 

brownish  towards  the  base,  as  is  also  the  very  short,  equal  stem  ; 
nodes  rather  scanty,  large,  irregularly  angular,  connected  at  various 
points  ~by  rather  long,  thin  internodes  ;  spores  globose,  dirty  lilac, 
7 — 8  /u,  diameter,  smooth. 

Craterium  minimum,  B.  and  C.,  Grevillea,  vol.  ii.,  p.  67 ; 
Host.,  Mon.,  p.  125 ;  Sacc.,  Syll.,  vii.,  1,  n.  1240. 

(Type  in  Herb.  Berk.,  Kew,  n.  10,827.) 

On  herbaceous  stems,  &c.     Lower  Carolina. 

Usually  growing  in  lines  on  slender,  dead  herbaceous  stems, 
•5  up  to  nearly  1  mm.  high ;  the  long,  thin  internodes  of  the 
capillitium  are  unusual  in  the  genus. 

Craterium  minutum,  Kickx. 

Sporangium  stipitate,  campanulate,  rounded  and  umbilicate 
below,  1 — 1'5  mm.  long,  of  a  yellowish  clay-colour,  tinged 
brownish  or  reddish  towards  the  base,  'sprinkled  with  very 
minute,  wart-like,  paler  spots.  Operculum  the  same  colour  as 
the  upper  part  of  the  sporangium.  Filaments  whitish.  Spores 
globose,  black.  Stem  2,  rarely  3  mm.  high,  attenuated  towards 
the  apex,  wrinkled,  often  compressed,  russet-brown  or  reddish", 
springing  from  a  blackish- brown  indistinct  hypothallus. 

Craterium  minutum,  Kickx,  Flor.  Flanders,  ii.,  p.  23. 

On  rotten  wood. 

The  present  species  is  considered  as  a  species  of  Tilmadoche 
by  Rostafinski,  but  as  his  description  differs  very  materially 
from  that  of  Kickx,  the  latter  is  given  above.  There  is 
no  reason,  judging  from  the  description  alone,  to  show  why 
Kickx  was  not  quite  correct  in  considering  his  specimen  as  a 
Craterium. 

PHYSARUM,  Pers. 

Sporangia  solitary,  plasmodiocarp,  or  combined  to  form  an 
aethalium,  wall  single  or  of  two  distinct  layers;  threads  of 
capillitium  springing  from  all  parts  of  the  sporangial  wall, 
combined  to  form  an  irregular  network,  with  the  numerous 
nodes  or  angles  very  much  and  irregularly  swollen  and  filled 


274  A  Monograph  of  the  Myxogastres. 

with  granules  of  lime,  the  internodes  thin  and  without  liine ; 
dehiscence  irregular,  or  by  a  longitudinal  fissure  iu  the  plas- 
modiocarp  form. 

Physarum,  Pers. 

Rost.,  Hon.,  p.  93;  Cke.,  Brit.  Myx.,  p.  11;  Sacc,  Syll.,  vii., 
p.  336 ;  Zopf,  p.  144. 

The  principal  characteristic  of  the  present  genus  is  the 
presence  of  numerous  large,  irregularly  swollen  nodes,  or  points 
of  junction  of  capillitium  threads,  filled  with  granules  of  lime, 
the  internodes,  or  threads  connecting  the  nodes,  being  thin  and 
free  from  lime.  Physarum  passes  by  numerous  transitional 
forms  into  Tilmadoche,  which  in  the  typical  condition  differs 
in  the  much  fewer  and  smaller  lime-containing  nodes  of  the 
capillitium. 

Distrib.  Europe ;  Africa ;  Himalayas ;  Ceylon  ;  Java ;  Japan  ; 
W.  Australia ;  N.  Zealand  ;  Tasmania  ;  S.  America ;  W.  Indies ; 
U.  States.  Species,  70. 

A.  Sporangia  stipitate.  (Some  species  included  in  the 
present  section  have  sessile  forms.) 

*  Epispore  warted. 

Physarum  psittacinum,  Ditm.  (figs.  200,  291). 

Scattered,  gregarious,  or  fasciculate,  sporangia  stipitate, 
globose,  slightly  rugulose,  lime  scanty,  green,  often  with  orange 
and  deep  violet  tints;  stem  elongated,  subequal  or  attenuated 
upwards,  expanding  at  the  base  into  a  small  hypothallus,  longi- 
tudinally rugulose,  orange-red ;  capillitium  abundant,  consisting 
of  irregularly  anastomosing,  rather  thin  threads,  connecting 
numerous  large  irregular  nodes  filled  with  lime,  either  colourless 
or  usually  some  shade  of  orange;  columella  absent;  spores 
globose,  broumish-purple,  very  minutely  verruculose,  7 — 9  ^ 
diameter. 

Physarum  psittacinum,  Ditm.,  Sturm,  t.  62 ;  Rost.,  Mon.,  p. 
104,  figs.  75,  76 ;  Cooke,  Brit.  Myx.,  figs.  75,  76 ;  Sacc.,  Syll., 
n.  1179  (Excl.  Syn.  Didymium,  Ravenslii,  B.  and  C.) ;  Raunk., 
Myx.  Dan.,  p.  74. 


Physarum.  275 

Didymium  crythrinum,  Cke.,  Grev.,  1873. 

On  bark,  &c.  Britain  (Neatishead,  Norths);  Germany; 
Sweden;  France;  Italy;  Denmark. 

Distinguished  amongst  the  red-stemmed  species  by  the  green 
sporangium,  and  the  capillitium  consisting  of  thin,  elongated 
internodes,  some  of  the  nodes  are  flattened,  with  one  or  more 
perforations  and  contain  no  lime,  numerous  others  are  filled 
with  lime  which  is  usually  tinged  orange;  from  2 — 2'5  mm. 
high. 

Care  must  be  taken  not  to  confound  the  present  species  with 
the  green  forms  of  Tilmadoche  mutabilis. 

(Rostafinski's  Synonym.) 
Physarum  psittacinum,  Ditm.,  I.e.,  t.  62  (1817). 

Physarum  Schumacher!,  Host.  (figs.  287,  288).  1 

Scattered  or  gregarious;  sporangia  globose,  stipitate,  warted 
with  granules  of  lime,  yellowish-olive,  often  with  a  tinge  of 
green;  stem  erect,  subequal,  usually  longer  than  the  spor- 
angium, filled  with  lime,  longitudinally  rugulose,  expanding  at 
the  base  into  a  small  hypothallus,  pale  yellow;  columella 
cylindrical,  whitish;  capillitium  dense,  forming  an  irregular  net, 
with  numerous  rather  small  knots  containing  yellowish  granules 
of  lime ;  spores  globose,  dull  violet,  minutely  verruculose,  7 — 9  \j. 
diameter. 

Physarum  Schumacheri,  Host,  Mon.,  99 ;  Cke.,  Myx.  Brit., 
p.  11 ;  Raunk.,  Myx.  Dan.,  p.  74. 

Physarum  citrinum,  Sacc.,  Syll.,  n.  1176. 

Physarum  chrysopeplum,  B.  and  C.,  in  Herb. 

Exsicc. — Ellis,  N.  Amer.  Fung.,  n.  1395. 

On  bark,  leaves,  &c.  Britain  (Neatishead,  Carlisle) ;  Ger- 
many ;  Italy ;  Finland ;  Ceylon  ;  United  States ;  S.  America. 

About  2  mm.  high.'  Capillitium  dense,  rather  flaccid,  inter- 
nodes  long,  thin,  many  of  the  angles  flattened  and  not  contain- 
ing lime,  others  irregularly  branched  and  filled  with  yellow 
granules ;  columella  prominent.  The  above  description  applies 


276  A  Monograph  of  the  Myocogastres. 

to  the  typical  form,  but  Rostafinski  has  given  as  forms  of  this 
species  a  heterogeneous  collection,  varying  considerably  in  habit, 
colour,  and  size  of  spores,  but  all  agreeing  in  having  a  colu- 
mella;  how  many  of  these  forms  are  British  I  do  not  know, 
fi.  chrysopus,  which  appears  to  be  the  same  as  Physarum  citri- 
num,  Schum.,  has  been  collected  in  Yorkshire,  and  a  specimen 
probably  corresponding  to  y.  aurantiacum  has  been  met  with 
at  Neatishead. 

The  following  are  Rostafinski's  forms. 

Var.  a.  genuinum.  Sporangium  yellow  or  greenish-yellow, 
£  mm.  wide,  stem  yellow ;  spores  7 — 8  \j.  diameter ;  granules  of 
lime  yellow.  This  variety  is  the  one  described  above  as  the 
type  form. 

ft.  chrysopus.  Sporangium  1  mm.  diameter,  with  the  stem 
golden-yellow;  spores  10  /*  diameter;  granules  of  lime  golden- 
yellow. 

y.  aurantiacum.  Sporangia  |  mm.  diameter;  stem  brown; 
sporefi  orange,  11  ft  diameter;  granules  of  lime  brown. 

8.  rujipcs.  Sporangium  yellow  or  orange,  sometimes  iridescent ; 
stem  orange-red ;  granules  of  lime  yellowish. 

e.  compactum.  Plasmodiocarp  veinlike,  creeping,  short,  yellow 
or  golden ;  columella  absent,  disappearing  with  the  stem. 

Didymium  melleum,,  B.  and  C.,  given  as  a  synonym  of  the 
present  species  by  Rostafinski,  although  a  Physarum,  is  quite 
distinct,  as  shown  by  an  examination  of  the  type  specimen  in 
the  Berkeley  collection  in  the  Kew  Herbarium. 

(Rostafinski's  Synonyms.) 

Physarum  titrinum,  Schum.,  SaelL,  i.,  436  (1803). 

Pkysarum  aurantiacum,  ft.  rufipes,  A.  and  S.,  Cons.,  262  (1805). 

Physarum  vcmwosum,  Link,  Herb. 

Physarum  compactum,  Ehr.,  Syl.  Ber.,  p.  21  (1818). 

Physarum  SchumacJicri,  Spr.,  Syst.,  iv.,  p.  528  (1827). 

Diderma  citrinum,  Fr.,  S.  M.,  iii.,  100  (1829);  Cooke,  Hdbk., 

n.  1107. 

Diderma  rujipcs,  Fr.,  S.  M.,  iii.,  101. 
Diderma  compactum^  Wallr.,  Herb. 


Physarum.  277 

Physarum  aureum,  ft.  chrysopus,  Lev.,  Ann.  Sc.  Nat.  (1846), 

p.  166. 

Physarum  flavum,  Fckl.,  Syn.,  p.  343  (1869). 
Didyniium  melleum,  B.  and  C.,  Ceyl.  Fung.,  751. 
Didymiuin  chrysopeplum,  B.  and  Br.,  N.  A.  Fung.,  348. 


Physarum  virescens,  Ditm. 

Sporangia  stipitate,  sessile  and  crowded,  an  irregular  plas- 
modiocarp,  or  an  effused  aethalium,  wall  rough,  yellow,  with 
green  or  olive  tints,  stem  when  present  yellow,  wrinkled,  equal 
to  or  shorter  than  the  sporangium ;  columella ,  absent ;  capil- 
litium  scanty,  knots  of  lime  few,  small ;  spores  globose,  dingy 
lilac,  very  minutely  verruculose,  7 — 9  /u,  diameter. 

Physarum  virescens,  Ditm.,  in  Sturm,  t.  61 ;  Host.,  Mon.,  p.  103 ; 
Cooke,  Brit.  Myx.,  p.  13 ;  Sacc.,  Syll.,  n.  1183 ;  Schroeter,  p.  128. 

Physarum  thejoteum,  Fr.,  Gast.,  p.  21. 

Physarum  Ditmari,  Host.,  Mon.  Append.,  p.  13. 

Didymium  croceo-flavium,  B.  and  Br.,  Fung.  Ceylon,  n.  757. 

Exsicc. — Fckl.,  F.  Rhen.,  1460  (as  Physarum  anceps,  de  By). 

a.  genuinum.  Sporangia  sessile  on  a  broad  base,  crowded, 
rarely  scattered. 

/3.  stipitatum.  Sporangia  stipitate,  stem  stout,  longitudinally 
wrinkled,  yellow. 

y.  confl'iuens.  Sporangia  sessile,  plasmodiocarp  or  confluent, 
and  forming  a  cake-like  aethalium. 

On  leaves,  moss,  &c.  Britain  (Chiselhurst,  Bristol,  N.  Wales, 
Carlisle) ;  Sweden ;  Germany ;  Madras ;  Ceylon  ;  United  States. 

Usually  sessile  and  crowded,  sporangia  subangular  from 
mutual  pressure,  varying  from  clear  yellow  through  olive  to 
greenish-yellow,  the  last  being  most  frequent,  and  with  the 
scanty  eapillitium  with  very  few  small  knots  containing  lime, 
marks  the  species  in  all  its  forms. 

(Rostafinski's  Synonyms.) 

Physarum  virescens,  Ditm.,  t.  61  (1817). 
Physarum  thejoteum,  Fr.,  Gast.,  p.  31  (1818). 


278          A  Monograph  of  the  Myxogastres. 

Physarum  anceps,  Fckl,  Sym.  Myc.,  343  (1869). 
Didymium  nectriaformv,  B.  and  C.,  Grev.,  353. 
Didymium  eroceo-flavium,  B.  and  Br.,  Fung.  Ceylon,  n.  757. 
Didymium  lateritium,  B.  and  Br.,  MSS. 

Physarum  melleum,  Mass. 

Sporangia  stipitate,  hemispherical,  flattened  below,  wall  thin, 
yellowish-olive  or  honey-coloured,  sprinkled  with  minute  particles 
of  lime ;  columella  small,  white ;  capillitium  very  dense,  snow- 
white,  nodes  numerous,  very  large,  angularly  stellate,  separated 
from  each  other  by  constrictions  only,  lime  in  the  form  of  granules 
present  in  every  portion;  spores  globose,  pale  lilac,  minutely 
verruculose,  6 — 7  /*  in  diameter;  stem  about  equal  to  the 
sporangium  in  length,  rather  thick,  equal,  white,  longitudinally 
wrinkled,  filled  with  particles  of  lime,  hypothallus  absent. 

Didymium  melleum,  Berk,  and  Broome,  Ceylon  Fung.,  n.  751, 
in  Journ.  Linn.  Soc.,  vol.  xiv.,  p.  83. 

^  (Type  in  Herb.  Berk.,  Kew,  n.  10,810.) 

Physarum  Schumachcri,  Host.,  Mon.,  p.  99  (in  part). 

Physarum  citrinum,  Sacc.,  Syll.,  vii.,  1,  n.  1176  (in  part). 

On  dead  leaves.     Ceylon. 

About  2  mm.  high.  Distinct  from  P.  Schumacheri  in  the 
dense  Badhamia  type  of  the  capillitium,  smaller  spores,  and 
absence  of  the  hypothallus. 

Physarum  citrinellum,  Peck. 

Sporangia  subglobose  or  slightly  attenuated  at  the  base,  sub- 
stipitate,  wall  thin,  pale  yellmo,  sometimes  with  a  greenish  tinge, 
rough  urith  numerous  crystals  of  lime,  becoming  irregularly 
ruptured  at  the  apex;  the  very  short  stem  is  rufous,  longi- 
tudinally wrinkled,  and  expands  into  a  minute  hypothallus; 
columella  absent;  capillitium  rather  dense,  nodes  irregularly 
stellate-angular,  large,  containing  colourless  granules  of  lime, 
intcrnodes  elongated,  very  thin,  colourless,  without  lime;  spores 
globose,  pale  lilac,  minutely  warted,  7 — 8  jx  diameter. 

Physarum  citrinellum,  Peck. 

On  mosses.     United  States. 


Physarum.  279 

From  £ — f  mm.  high.  A  very  fine  specimen  named  as  above 
was  sent  to  me  by  Mr.  H.  Wingate,  of  Philadelphia.  It  appears 
to  differ  from  Physarum  chrysotrichum  only  in  the  white  nodes 
of  the  capillitium  and  the  very  short  stem. 

Physarum  rufibasis,  B.  and  Br.  f  K^< 

Scattered  or  gregarious,  stipitate ;  sporangia  globose,  dull 
yellow  or  tawny,  even,  sprinkled  with  minute  particles  of  lime, 
dehiscing  irregularly;  stem  elongated,  slender,  tapering  upwards, 
longitudinally  furrowed,  expanding  at  the  base  into  a  small, 
circular  hypothallus,  bright  brown,  filled  with  minute  granules  of 
lime;  columella  absent;  capillitium  dense,  forming  an  irregular 
network,  nodes  incrassated,  irregularly  angular,  large,  numerous, 
filled  with  bright  yellow  granules  of  lime,  connected  at  various 
points  by  rather  thin,  long  internodes ;  spores  pale  lilac,  globose, 
very  indistinctly  verruculose,  10  \JL  diameter. 

Physarum  rufibasis,  Berk,  and  Broome,  Fungi  of  Ceylon, 
Journ.  Linn.  Soc.,  vol.  xiv.,  p.  85. 

Tilmadoche  hians,  Host.,  Mon.  Append.,  p.  14  (in  part). 

Tilmadoche  minuta,  (Kickx)  Berlese,  Sacc.,  Syll.,  vii.,  1, 
n.  1251  (in  part). 

(Type  in  Herb.  Berk.,  Kew,  n.  10,800.) 

On  twigs.     Ceylon. 

A  very  fine  species,  about  2-5  mm.  high,  resembling  a  Tilma- 
doche in  the  small  sporangium  and  long,  slender  stem,  but  the 
nodes  of  the  capillitium  are  large  and  stellately  angular. 

Physarum  flavum,  Fries,  (fig.  215).  9-s\i\lpVvr€\jw\  W^ 

Scattered  or  gregarious,  but  not  crowded ;  sporangia  globose 
or  slightly  depressed ;  wall  rugulose,  rigid,  bright  lemon-yellow, 
sometimes  with  a  tinge  of  green,  breaking  away  in  irregular 
patches ;  stem  stout,  about  equal  to  sporangium,  or  shorter,  bright 
yellow,  very  much  longitudinally  wrinkled,  containing  amorphous 
masses  of  lime,  expanding  at  the  base  into  a  small  hypothallus ; 
columella  absent;  capillitium  rather  dense,  nodes  irregularly 


280          A  Monograph  of  the  Myxogastres. 

angular,  internodes  rather  long,  thin ;  spores  globose,  pale  lilac, 
very  minutely  verruculose,  10  p.  diameter. 

Physarum  Jlavum,  Fr.,  Sym.  Gast.,  p.  22;  Rost.,  Mon.,  p.  100; 
Sacc.,  Syll.,  vii.,  1,  n.  1186. 

(The  above  description  drawn  up  from  a  specimen  named  by 
Fries.) 

On  mosses,  &c.     Britain  (Wales) ;  Sweden ;  Germany. 

Usually  growing  on  living  mosses,  scattered,  1'5 — 2  mm. 
high;  stem  stout.  Very  closely  allied  to  Physarum  Ditmari, 
Host.,  of  which  the  present  may  possibly  prove  to  be  a  stipitate 
form ;  however,  in  the  absence  of  such  evidence,  it  is  well  for 
the  present  to  retain  it  as  a  species. 

(Rostafinski's  Synonyms.) 

Physarum  Jlavum,  Fr.,  Symb.  Gast.,  p.  22,  I.e.,  iii.,  p.  135 

(1818). 

Physarum  citrinella,  Fries,  in  Herb. ;  Kunze. 
Cratcrium  Jlavum,  Fr.,  Sm.  Veg.  Sc.,  p.  454  (18491). 

Physarum  Schroeteri,  Rost.  \.  •: ••' 

Sporangia  stipitate,  hemispherical,  depressed ;  stem  conical, 
thick,  golden,  shining,  continued  as  an  obtusely  conical  columella ; 
threads  of  capillitium  slender,  combined  to  form  a  dense  net- 
work, furnished  with  nodes  containing  lime;  spores  spinulose, 
blackish-brown,  10 — 12  p  diameter. 

Physarum  Schroeteri,  Rost.,  Mon.  App.  I.,  p.  419;  Karst., 
Myc.  Fenn.,  iv.,  p.  102;  Sacc.,  Syll.,  vii.,  1,  n.  1172. 

On  leaves  and  twigs  of  Alnus.     Finland. 

Physarum  brunneolum,  Phillips  (figs.  221,  222).  N 

Scattered  or  gregarious,  but  not  crowded,  sessile ;  sporangia 
globose  or  subdepressed,  wall  single,  thick,  smooth  and  polished, 
Irifjlit  ^yellow-brown,  dehiscing  in  a  stellate  manner,  the  segments 
becoming  rcftexed,  snow-white  inside;  columella  absent;  capil- 
litium very  4ense,  snow-white,  nodes  very  large  and  numerous, 


Physarum.  281 

irregularly  angular,  filled  with  lime,  connected  at  several  points 
by  very  thin,  short  internodes ;  spores  globose,  dirty  lilac,  very 
minutely  verruculose,  6 — 7  p  diameter. 

Physarum  'Irunneolum,  Phil.,  in  Herb. 

Diderma  brunneolum,  Phillips,  Grev.,  v.,  p.  114,  t.  87,  f.  3, 
a—./;  Saca,  SylL,  vii.,  1,  1292. 

(Type  in  Herb.,  Phillips.) 

On  oak  bark.     San  Francisco. 

A  very  beautiful  and  remarkable  species,  reaching  up  to 
1  mm.  in  diameter.  Intermediate  between  the  genera  Chon- 
drioderma  and  Physarum,  agreeing  with  the  former  in  the 
polished,  porcelain-like  sporangial  wall  dehiscing  in  a  stellate 
manner,  and  with  the  latter  in  the  structure  of  the  capillitium, 
whereas  the  very  large  and  numerous  nodes  of  the  capillitium 
separated  from  each  other  by  constrictions  rather  than  by  true 
internodes,  suggests  affinity  with  the  genus  Badhamia. 

Physarum  Ravenelii,  Mass.  (figs.  234,  235).  fc  \>v 

Scattered,  stipitate ;  sporangia  perfectly  spherical,  not  um- 
bilicate,  dirty  brown,  sometimes  rugulose ;  stem  elongated,  rather 
slender,  equal  or  slightly  fusiform,  coloured  like  the  sporangium, 
filled  with  granules  of  lime ;  columella  absent ;  capillitium 
copious,  forming  an  irregular  net ;  nodes  small,  filled  with  yellow 
granules  of  lime,  internodes  thick,  elongated,  colourless,  empty; 
spores  dingy  lilac,  globose,  very  minutely  verruculose,  6 — 7  /x 
diameter. 

Didymium  Ravenelii,  Berk,  and  Curt.,  Grev.,  vol.  ii.,  p.  53 ; 
Sacc.,  Syll.,  vii.,  1,  n.  1318. 

(Type  in  Herb.  Berk.,  n.  10,771.) 

On  wood.     Sulphur  Springs,  N.  Carolina. 

From  2'5 — 3  mm.  high.  Remarkable  for  the  dirty  brown 
colour  of  sporangium  and  stem.  In  form  and  size  almost 
identical  with  Physarum.  Kalchbrenneri.  The  knots  of  the 
capillitium  are  small  and  usually  elliptical,  resembling  those 
characteristic  of  Tilmadoche,  but  the  capillitium  is  altogether 
too  robust  to  admit  of  the  present  species  being  placed  in  the 


282  A  Monograph  of  the  Myxogastres. 

last-named    genus.      Sometimes   two   or   three   sporangia   are 
seated  on  a  common  stem,  forming  a  plasmodiocarp. 


Physarum  scyphoides,  Cke.  and  Balf.  (fig.  231). 

Sporangia  globose  or  broadly  obovate,  stipitate,  upper  portion 
of  wall  whitish,  rough  with  amorphous  lumps  of  lime,  basal 
portion  bright  brown,  persistent  as  a  very  shallow,  irregular  cup ; 
stem  almost  equal  to  sporangium  in  length,  bright  brown,  erect, 
usually  attenuated  upwards,  irregularly  wrinkled  and  often 
compressed  and  twisted,  expanding  at  the  base  into  a  minute, 
brown  hypothallus;  capillitium  dense,  knots  of  lime  white  or 
yellowish,  very  numerous,  large,  irregularly  branched,  connected 
by  short,  thin,  colourless  portions,  becoming  concentrated 
towards  the  base  to  form  a  columella ;  spore  globose,  pale  lilac- 
brown,  minutely  warted,  7 — 9  p  diameter. 

Physarum  scyphoides,  Cke.  and  Balf.,  in  Rav.,  Fung.  Amer., 
Exs.,  480  (without  description) ;  Mass.,  Journ.  Mycol.,  vol.  v., 
p.  18#  t.  14,  f.  7  (1889). 

On  living  leaves,  grass,  &c.     Darien,  Georgia ;  (Rav.,  2407). 
(Type  in  Herb.,  Kew.) 

A  very  fine  species,  about  1  mm.  high,  scattered  or  gregarious  ; 
the  upper  portion  of  the  sporangium  is  whitish,  with  sometimes 
a  suggestion  of  pink,  falling  away  in  patches  when  mature,  and 
leaving  the  small,  thicker,  basal  portion  in  the  form  of  an 
irregular  shallow  cup  or  disc,  which,  with  the  character  of  the 
capillitium,  suggest  a  leaning  towards  the  genus  Craterium. 

Physarnm  Reader!,  Mass.  (n.  Bp.).fi«uU« 

Sporangium  stipitate,  spherico-depressed,  plane  or  slightly 
umbilicate  below,  greyish,  covered  with  distinct  but  closely  arranged 
white,  innate  flakes  of  lime ;  stem  equal  to  or  longer  than  the 
sporangium,  very  thick,  equal,  brown,  longitudinally  rugulose, 
expanding  into  a  broad,  dark-brown  hypothallus,  filled  with 
masses  of  lime  and  organic  matter;  capiUitium  absent,  but 
when  the  sporangium  is  empty  a  brown  spot  is  seen  at  the 
base  which  corresponds  to  the  apex  of  the  stem;  capillitium 


Physarum.  283 

dense,  nodes  few,  large,  angularly  stellate,  filled  with  colourless 
granules  of  lime,  internodes  elongated,  slender;   spores  dirty 
lilac,  globose,  very  minutely  verruculose,  15  —  16  jx  diameter. 
(Type  in  Herb.,  Kew.) 

On  wood.     Melbourne. 

Scattered  ;  2'5  —  3  mm.  high  ;  allied  to  Physarum  leucophaeum, 
but  quite  distinct  in  the  larger  spores,  thicker,  equal  stem,  and 
in  the  large  well-developed  nodes  of  the  capillitium. 

Physarum  polymorphum,  Rostf.f  o\y<s<^ 


Gregarious,  stipitate,  rarely  sessile,  sporangia  compressed,  grey, 
simple  or  more  or  less  confluent,  obovate,  obcordate  or  lenti- 
form,  margin  lobed  or  waved  ;  stem  filiform,  subulate,  or  several 
confluent  and  forming  a  membranaceous,  sulcate  cone,  yellowish  ; 
threads  of  capillitium  forming  an  irregular  network,  white,  here 
and  there  with  angular  dilatations  ;  spores  subglobose,  violet- 
brown,  spinulose,  9  —  11  /*  diameter. 

Physarum  polymorphum,  Host.,  Hon.,  p.  107;  Sacc.,  Syll., 
vii.,  1,  n.  1196. 

On  bark.     Cuba  ;  United  States. 

Sporangia  variable  in  form,  often  confluent,  dark  grey,  trun- 
cate ;  stem,  subulate,  strongly  longitudinally  wrinkled,  yellowish- 
pink,  rarely  simple,  usually  fasciculate,  curved  or  procumbent  ; 
eapillitium  strongly  developed  with  angularly-globose  dilatations 
containing  lime  (Sacc.,  Syll.,  I.e.).  Unknown  to  me. 

(Rostafinski's  Synonyms.) 

Didymium  polycephalum,  Mout.,  Ann.  Sci.  Nat.,  p.  361  ;  Syll., 

n.  1074  (1873). 

Didymium  luteo-griseum,  B.  and  C.,  Grev.,  p.  65  (1873). 
Didymium  polycephalum,  Rav.,  cfr.  Grev.,  p.  53  (1873). 

Physarum  affine,  Rost. 

Sporangia  spherico-depressed  or  subreniform,  white;  stem 
snow-white,  opaque,  about  equal  in  length  to  the  sporangium  ; 


284  A  Monograph  of  the  Myxogastres. 

capillitium  well  developed,  snow-white;  spores  pale  brownish- 
violet,  epispore  thick,  warted,  10 — 12  /u,  diameter. 

Physarum  ajfine,  Rost.,  Mon.,  p.  94;  Sacc.,  Syll.,  vii.,  1, 
n.  1200. 

On  rotten  wood.     Germany ;  Poland. 

(Rostafinski's  Synonyms.) 
(?)  Trichia  nivea,  Fl.  Dan.,  t.  776,  f.  4  (1782). 
(?)  Trichia  rugosa,  Trent.,  I.e.,  p.  288  (1797). 

Physarum  glaucum,  Phillips.  P-Co™  ^rcsi« 

Sporangia  subglobose,  and  depressed  or  irregularly  lobed, 
more  or  less  umbilicate  below,  grey,  covered  densely  at  first 
with  snow-white  particles  of  lime;  stem  much  shorter  than 
height  of  sporangium,  blackish,  thick,  longitudinally  wrinkled, 
expanding  into  a  common,  firm,  pale  hypothallus;  columella 
absent;  capillitium  very  dense,  snow-white,  nodes  numerous, 
large,  Angularly  stellate,  connected  by  very  short  internodes; 
spores  bright  violet,  globose,  rather  coarsely  warted,  12 — 14  /x 
diameter. 

Physarum  glaucum,  Phillips,  in  Herb. 

Physarum  lividum,  Cke.,  Myxomycetes  of  the  United  States, 
in  Ann.  Lye.  Nat.  Hist.,  of  N.  York,  vol.  xi.,  n.  12,  p.  384. 

Didymium  glaucum,  Phillips,  Grevillea,  vol.  v.,  p.  113,  t.  88, 
f.  6,  a — e;  Sacc.,  Syll.,  vii.,  1,  n.  1315. 

(Type  in  Herb.,  Phillips,  examined.) 

On  dead  branches.     California. 

Scattered  or  gregarious,  up  to  1  mm.  across,  stem  sometimes 
obsolete.  Certainly  not  synonymous  with  Physarum  lividum 
as  supposed  by  Cooke,  but  much  more  nearly  allied  to  Physarum 
nephroideum,  from  which  it  is  distinguished  by  the  very  dense 
capillitium  of  numerous  large  nodes  only  separated  from  each 
other  by  constrictions,  hence  every  portion  contains  granules  of 
lime  as  in  the  genus  Badhamia, 

Physarum  cupripes,  Berk,  and  Rav.  9-iUt\cov*uir\ 
Sporangia*  subglobose,  umbilicate  below,  dark  grey,  often  ivith 


Physarum.  285 

a  purple  tinge;  stem  elongated,  slender,  attenuated  upwards, 
straight  or  slightly  bent  above,  copper-colour,  longitudinally 
wrinkled,  filled  with  masses  of  lime  and  organic  matter,  usually 
expanding  at  the  base  into  a  small,  circular  hypothallus;  colu- 
mella  absent;  threads  of  capillitium  numerous,  thin,  combined 
to  form  an  irregular,  dense  net,  swollen  elliptical  portions  con- 
taining yellowish  granules  of  lime,  numerous,  small,  either  formed 
at  the  angles  of  bifurcation  or  .  interstitial  ;  spores  globose,  pale 
lilac,  minutely  wartcd,  9  —  12  ^  diameter. 

Physarum  cupripes,  B.  and  R.,  Grev.,  vol.  ii.,  p.  65. 
(Type  in  Herb.  Berk.,  Kew,  n.  10..779.) 

Physarum  Bcrkeleyi,  Host.,  Mon.,  p.  105  (in  p&rt). 

Physarum  flavicomurn,  Sacc.,  Syll.,  vii.,  1,  n.  1193  (in  part). 

JExsicc.  —  Rav.,  Fung.  Car.,  n.  76  (under  the  name  of  Physarum 
cupriceps,  B.). 

Berkeley's  type  specimen  is  a  portion  of  the  same  gathering 
issued  in  Ravenel's  Exs.,  quoted  above,  and  possibly  Berkeley 
in  sending  Ravenel  the  name,  wrote  cupriceps  instead  of 
cupripes  ;  however  this  may  be,  it  is  certain  that  the  two  names 
refer  to  the  same  species.  The  present  species  has  been  hope- 
lessly confused  with  others  by  Rostafinski. 

The  following  note  accompanied  Ravenel's  specimen  to 
Berkeley. 

"At  first  a  yellowish-green  mucus,  spreading  on  the  surface 
12  —  18  in.  square,  interlaced  with  veins.  On  these  veins  small 
clavate  pedicels  arise  of  the  same  colour,  the  heads  becoming 
thicker  and  assuming  finally  the  subspherical  form,  changing 
to  lilac-blue." 

On  dead  wood.     United  States. 

Gregarious,  2  —  2'5  mm.  high. 


Physarum  nefroideum,  Rost.   I    lOWheCtui*  Ucte 

Sporangia  longitudinally  compressed,  circular  in  outline,  but 
owing  to  the  umbilicus  at  the  base,  reniform,  minutely  cinereo- 
furfuraceous,  scarcely  1  mm.  broad;  stem  f  —  1  mm.  long, 
cylindrical,  slightly  striate,  Iroivn  ;  columella  almost  obsolete; 


286  A  Monograph  of  the  Myxogastres. 

threads  of  capillitium  hyaline,  here  and  there  with  irregular 
swellings  containing  lime,  internodes  long,  slender,  some  of  the 
nodes  empty  ;  spores  globose  or  angularly  subglobose,  11  —  13  /* 
diameter,  blackish-violet,  minutely  verruculose. 

Physarum  nefroideum,  Host.,  Mon.,  p.  93,  figs.  80  —  82  ;  Cke., 
Brit.  Myx.,  figs.  80—82. 

Physarum  compressum,  Sacc.,  Syll.,  vii.,  1,  n.  1167. 

On  leaves,  rotten  wood,  &c.  Britain  (Lyndhurst,  New 
Forest)  ;  Germany  ;  Italy. 

Closely  allied  to  P.  Phillipsii,  but  differing  in  the  structure 
of  the  capillitium,  the  nodes  containing  lime  are  much  smaller, 
the  internodes  long  and  slender,  and  many  of  the  nodes  are 
empty  and  collapsed,  or  contain  air  only  and  not  lime. 


Physarum  candidum,  Host, 

Sporangia  strictly  or  irregularly  globose,  sessile  or  stipitate, 
dehiscj»g  irregularly,  wall  charged  with  lime,  snow-white  ;  stem 
white,  elongated,  plicate,  1  mm.  high,  rigid,  crustaceous,  capillitium 
with  snow-white  roundish  nodes  containing  lime;  spores  pale 
violet,  muricate,  12  —  15  p  diameter. 

Physarum  candidum,  Host.,  Mon.,  p.  96;  Sacc.,  Syll.,  vii.,  1, 
n.  1170. 

On  rotten  wood.     Juan  Fernandez. 


Physarum  simile,  Rost. 

Gregarious,  stipitate,  sporangia  globose,  grey,  densely  covered 
with  small  white  lumps  of  lime,  rigid  ;  stem  usually  twice  as 
long  as  sporangium,  equal,  or  slightly  thickened  below,  and 
passing  into  a  small,  orbicular  hypothallus,  yellmvish,  sometimes 
with  a  pink  tinge,  rigid,  filled  with  particles  of  lime,  usually 
longitudinally  wrinkled  ;  columella  subcylindrical,  whitish,  one- 
fourth  the  height  of  the  sporangium  or  less;  capillitium  dense, 
threads  thin,  colourless,  forming  an  irregular  network,  swellings 
of  nodes  or  interstitial  parts  small,  elliptical  or  triangular,  with 
colourless  or  yellowish  granules  of  lime  ;  spores  dingy  lilac,  very 
minuted  vcmiculose,  7  —  8  /*  diameter. 


Physarum.  287 

Physarum  simile,  Rost.,  Mon.  Append.,  p.  6  (species  founded 
by  Rostafinski  on  a  specimen  in  Herb.  Berk.) ;  Sacc.,  Syll.,  vii., 
1,  n,  1175. 

Physarum  Petersii,  var.  Farlowii,  Rost.,  Mon.  Append.,  p.  6 
(specimen  named  by  Rostafinski  in  Herb.  Berk.). 

Exsicc.— Ellis,  N.  Amer.  Fung.,  n.  1120. 

On  wood,  moss,  &c.     United  States. 

Closely  resembling  P.  Petersii,  differing  in  the  grey  sporangium. 
About  1.5  mm.  high. 


Physarum  leucopus,  Rost.  (figs.  60 — 62).  V-^u.. 

Sporangia  globose,  broadly  ellipsoid  or  a  little  depressed, 
stipitate  or  sessile,  rarely  elongated  and  flexuous  or  anasto- 
mosing, wall  at  first  covered  with  a  continuous,  snow-white  coat  of 
lime,  which  soon  becomes  broken  up  into  smooth,  innate  patches ; 
stem  variable  in  length,  white,  containing  lime,  straight,  brittle, 
slightly  thinner  upwards,  longitudinally  rugose,  passing  into  a 
more  or  less  evident  hypothallus ;  columella  absent ;  capillitium 
strongly  developed,  snow-white,  with  numerous  large,  irregularly 
branched  knots,  containing  lime  in  small  granules;  spores 
globose,  dingy  lilac,  rather  coarsely  warted,  warts  almost  black, 
9 — 12  11  diameter. 

/.  stipitatum.  Stem  present,  length  variable,  in  the  typical 
form,  equal  to,  or  longer  than,  the  sporangium. 

/.  sessile.  Stem  very  short  or  entirely  absent,  when  the 
sporangia  are  sessile  on  a  broad  base,  sometimes  confluent, 
elongated,  sinuous,  or  anastomosing  irregularly. 

Physarum  leucopus,  Rost,  Mon.,  p.  101 ;  Cke.,  Myx.  Brit.,  12; 
Schroeter,  p.  129;  Karsten,  Myc.  Fen.,  p.  102;  Sacc.,  Syll., 
vol.  vii.,  pt.  I.,  n.  1188. 

Physarum  leucophaeum,  y.  fl,exuosum,  Cooke,  Myx.  Brit.,  p.  15. 

Exsicc. — Rab.,  Fung.  Eur.,  335  (as  Physarum  albipes'} ;  Cooke, 
Fung.  Brit.,  Ed.  II.,  519. 

On  wood,  moss,  &c.  Britain  (Highgate,  Carlisle) ;  Germany ; 
Finland  ;  Sweden ;  S.  Africa ;  S.  America ;  Ceylon  ;  Australia. 

A  somewhat  rare  species,  often  represented  in  Herbaria  by 


288  A  Monograph  of  the  Myxogastres. 

Didymium  squamulosum,  which  differs  in  the  large,  white 
columella.  Distinguished  from  sessile  forms  of  Physarum  leu- 
copliaeum,  by  the  coarser  capillitium  furnished  with  numerous 
large  nodes,  and  the  slightly  larger  and  more  coarsely  warted 
spores. 

(Ptostafmski's  Synonyms.) 

Didymium  leucopus,  Link,  Diss.,  2,  p.  42  (1809). 

Physarum  bullatum,  Link,  Diss.,   2,  p.  42  (1809);    Ditmar, 

t.  22. 

Physarum  albopunctatum,  Link,  Herb. 
Didymium  leucopus,  Fr.,  S.  M.,  iii.,  121  (1829);  Engl.  FL,  v., 

p.  313;  Cke.,  Hdbk.,  n.  1127. 
Physarum  ramentaceum,  Fr.,  in  litt.  ad  Wein  (1836). 


Physarum  leucophaeum,  Fr.  (figs.  63  —  66  and  96).^eu 

Sporangia  subglobose,  usually  a  little  depressed  below,  stipitate 
or  sessile,  wall  thin,  with  irregular,  white,  innate  patches  of 
lime,  dehiscing  irregularly  ;  stem  usually  longer  than  the  spor- 
angium, erect,  slightly  attenuated  upwards,  longitudinally  rugu- 
lose,  brown,  paler  above,  passing  into  a  dark  hypothallus  ;  capil- 
litium dense,  colourless,  anastomosing  very  irregularly,  threads 
thin,  often  flattened  at  the  angles  which  rarely  contain  lime; 
spores  globose,  dingy  lilac,  minutely  warted,  8  —  10  /x  diameter. 

/.  fasciculatum.     Stems  confluent. 

/.  sessile.  Stem  very  short  or  entirely  absent,  sporangia 
scattered  or  confluent,  regular  or  sometimes  elongated  and 
anastomosing. 

Physarum  leucophaeum,  Fr.,  Symb.  Gast.,  p.  24;  Host.,  Mon., 
p.  113,  figs.  77,  78,  and  89;  Cooke,  Myx.  Brit,  p.  15,  figs.  77 
78,  and  89;  Sacc.,  Syll,  n.  1192;  Schroeter,  129;  Raunk.,  Myx. 
Dan.,  p.  75. 

Didymium  pruinosum,  B.  and  C.,  Cuban  Fungi,  n.  530. 
(Type  in  Herb.  Berk.) 

On  leaves,  twigs,  bark,  moss,  &c.  Britain  (Queen's  Cottage 
grounds,  Kew  ;  Hampstead,  Bristol,  Deal,  Scarboro',  Carlisle, 


Pliysarum.  289 

Edinburgh)  ;  France  ;  Germany  ;  Italy  ;  Hungary  ;  Denmark  ; 
S.  Africa  ;  Australia. 

About  1*5  mm.  high  ;  stem,  when  perfect,  dingy  brown,  slightly 
attenuated  upwards;  the  sessile  and  irregular  forms  are  dis- 
tinguished from  Pliysarum  cinereum  by  the  dense,  irregular 
capillitium  having  most  of  the  angles  flattened  and  rarely 
containing  lime. 

Var.  molascens,  Host.  Sporangium  subglobose  or  compressed, 
wall  thin,  iridescent,  with  violet  or  reddish  tints,  with  very  few 
small,  innate  patches  of  lime,  or  these  may  be  entirely  absent  ; 
stem  short  or  equal  to  sporangium,  stout,  expanding  at  the 
base  into  a  small  hypothallus,  yellowish,  darker  below,  strongly 
wrinkled  longitudinally  ;  capillitium  and  spores  as  in  the  type. 

Pliysarum  Icucophaeum,  /3.  molascens,  Rost.,  Mon.,  p.  113; 
Cke.,  Myx.  Brit.,  p.  15. 

On  moss.     Epping  Forest. 

(Rostafmski's  Synonyms.) 

Sjjhacrocarpus  albus,  Bull.,  p.  136,  var.  3,  4  (1791). 

Trichia  filamentosa,  Trent.',  p.  227  (1797). 

Physarum  confluens,  Link,  Diss.,  ii.,  42  (1809). 

Pliysarum  connexum,  Link,  Diss.,  ii.,  42  (1809). 

Physarum  hypnorum,  Link,  Diss.,  ii.,  42  (1809). 

Physarum  albopunctatum,  Link,  Herb. 

Physarum  davus,  Ehr.,  Herb. 

Physarum  conglobatum,  Ditm.,  t.  40  (1817). 

Physarum  leucophaeum,  Fr.,  Sym.  Gast.,  p.  24;   Syst.  Myc., 

iii.,  132  (1818);  Cooke,  Fung.  Brit.,  ii.,  n.  519. 
Didymium  melanopus,  j3.  davus,  Wallr.,  non  Fries  (.1833). 
Didymium  terrestre,  Fr.,  in  Weinm.  (1836). 
Physarum  albipes,  De  Bary,  not  Link  (1859). 
Physarum  striatum,  Fckl.,  Sym.  Myc.,  342  (1869). 
Didymium  hemisphericum,  Fckl.,  Sym.  Myc.,  341  (1869). 


Physarum  granulatum,  Balf.  fil.  (figs.  68  —  70).  ^vt<u\s.  v».O 

Sporangia    stipitate,   globose,   sometimes    slightly    flattened 
below,  grey,  with  small  innate  granules  of  lime,  and  having  in 


290  A  Monograph  of  the  Myxogastres. 

addition  a  sprinkling  of  large,  superficial,  snow-white,  amorphous 
lumps  of  lime;  stem  about  equalling  the  sporangium,  from 
dirty  grey  to  brown,  dilated  downwards,  and  passing  into  a  dark 
hypothallus,  longitudinally  striate ;  capillitium  colourless,  form- 
ing an  irregular  net,  threads  very  thin,  often  flexuous,  nodes 
small,  often  flattened,  only  very  few  containing  lime;  spores 
globose,  minutely  ivarted,  9 — 10  /m  diameter. 

Physarum  granulatum,  Balf.,  Grev.,  vol.  x.,  p.  116 ;  Sacc., 
Syll.,  n.  1204. 

(Type  in  Herb.,  Kew.) 

On  wood.  In  Herb.  Currey,  Kew.  No  locality,  but  un- 
doubtedly British. 

About  1*5  mm.  high,  closely  resembling  Physarum  leucopliaeum 
in  the  capillitium  and  spores,  but  distinguished  by  the  large 
granules  of  bicarbonate  of  lime  on  the  sporangial  wall.  In  the 
capillitium  the  present  species  approaches  the  genus  Tilmadoche, 
but  differs  in  the  great  amount  of  lime  on  the  sporangium  wall. 


Physarum  PMllipsii,  Balf.  fil.  (figs.  77, 

Sporangia  stipitate  or  subsessile,  laterally  compressed,  irregular, 
subreniform,  subpyriform,  sometimes  coalescing,  dark  grey, 
generally  more  or  less  rugose,  with  numerous  minute,  white, 
innate  particles  of  lime ;  stem  much  shorter  than  sporangium, 
thick,  often  flattened,  blackish,  sometimes  almost  obsolete ;  colu- 
mella  absent;  capillitium  well  developed,  white,  knots  of  lime 
large,  irregular,  numerous,  connected  by  short,  thin  portions; 
spores  lilac,  globose,  minutely  ivarted,  10 — 12  p  diameter. 

Physarum  Phillipsii,  Balf.  fil.,  Grev.,  vol.  x.,  p.  116;  Sacc., 
Syll,  n.  1208. 

(Type  in  Herb.,  Kew.) 

On  manured  ground  in  an  orchard  house.     Shrewsbury. 

A  very  marked  species,  possibly  having  its  nearest  ally  in 
Physarum  nephroideum,  Rost.  (I.  B.  B.). 

Mr.  A.  Lister  has  appended  the  following  note  to  the  type 
specimen  of  the  present  species  in  the  Kew  Herbarium  : — 

"  Should  not  this  be  called  Physarum  compression,  A.  and  S., 

\ 


Physarum.  291 

as  the  older  name  ?  I  have  grown  it  from  plasmodium  in  large 
quantity,  and  have  sporangia  answering  both  descriptions." 

The  description  of  Physarum  compressum,  by  Albertini  and 
Schweinitz,  is  as  follows : — "  P.  compressum.  Stipitate,  peridium 
umbilicate,  compressed  like  a  bivalve  shell,  obversely  parabolic, 
grey.  Stem  of  medium  length,  firm,  brown.  Peridium  convex 
above,  dehiscing  by  a  longitudinal  fissure.  Threads  of  capil- 
litium  rather  abundant,  white."  Alb.  and  Schw.,  Corn.  Fung., 
p.  97. 

I  am  convinced  that  the  present  species  is  Physamm  Phillipsii, 
Balf.  fil.,  the  type  specimen  is  in  a  good  state  of  preservation, 
and  the  detailed  description  given  by  the  author  will  enable 
any  one  to  recognize  the  species.  In  reply  to  Mr.  Lister's 
question  as  to  whether  it  is  not  the  P.  compressum  of  A.  and  S., 
I  must  admit  that  I  am  not  at  all  certain;  the  stem  is  not 
brown  as  it  should  be,  according  to  the  description  by  the  last- 
named  authors;  the  white  capillitium,  without  further  quali- 
fication, is  common  to  scores  of  species,  therefore  the  only 
feature  which  remains  is  the  compressed  sporangium,  and  this 
I  cannot  admit  as  sufficient  proof  that  Physarum  Phillipsii 
should  be  reduced  to  a  synonym  of  Physarum  compressum, 
A.  and  S.  If  Mr.  Lister's  reasoning  is  sound,  then  we  must 
admit  that  pocket-lens  characters  are  all-sufficient  for  the 
determination  of  species,  and  that  the  more  laborious  and  exact 
system  of  microscopic  examination  initiated  by  Dr.  Rostafinski 
is  a  mere  farce,  and  altogether  unnecessary.  In  writing  the 
above  I  have  assumed  that  Dr.  Lister  is  not  in  possession  of  the 
type  specimen  of  Physarum  compressum,  A.  and  S. 

Physarum  didermoides,  Rost.  (figs.  82 — 84). 

Sporangia  elliptic-oblong,  stipitate  or  rarely  sessile,  springing 
from  a  Inroad,  membranaceous,  whitish  hypothallus,  wall  double, 
outer  chalk-white,  brittle,  soon  falling  away;  inner  membran- 
aceous, grey ;  capillitium  with  numerous,  rather  large  nodes 
containing  colourless  granules  of  lime ;  spores  globose,  brownish- 
violet,  minutely  warted,  the  warts  often  arranged  in  lines ; 
12 — 15  /u,  diameter. 


292  A  Monograph  of  the  Myxogastres. 

Physarum  didermoides,  Rost.,  Mon.,p.  97,  figs.  74,  87;  Cooke, 
Brit.  Myx.,  p.  11,  figs.  74,  87;  Sacc.,  Syll.,  n.  1171;  Raunk., 
Myx.  Dan.,  p.  72. 

Didymium  congcstum,  B.  and  Br.,  Ann.  Nat.  Hist.  (1850), 
p.  365  ;  Cooke,  Hdbk.,  n.  1130. 

Spumaria  licheniformis,  Sz.  (specimen  from  Schweinitz  in 
Herb.  Berk.). 

Exsicc.  —  Sacc.,  Myc.  Ven.,  269  (as  jfiidymium  congcstum, 
B.  and  Br.). 

On  grass,  twigs,  bark,  &c.  Britain  (King's  Cliffe,  Bulmer, 
Yorks.  ;  Carlisle);  France;  Germany;  Italy;  Russia;  Sweden; 
United  States;  Ceylon. 

Usually  crowded  or  gregarious  in  considerable  numbers, 
springing  from  a  tough,  common  hypothallus  ;  sporangia  1*5  —  2 
mm.  long,  stem  variable  in  length,  usually  shorter  than  spor- 
angium, generally  very  weak,  flattened  or  twisted.  When 

sessile  the  sporangia  are  sometimes  shorter  than  usual. 

4 

(Rostafinski's  Synonyms.) 

Spumaria  didermoides,  Ach.;  in  Pers.,  Syn.,  p.  xxix  (1801).  ' 
Diderma   ollongum,   Schum.,   Saell.,   n.    1423   (1803);    Flor. 

Dan.,  t.  1973,  f.  1  ;  Fr.,  S.  M.,  iii.,  103. 
Claustria  didermoides,  Fr.,  S.  V.  S.,  451  (1849). 
Didymium,   congestum,  B.  and   Br.,  Ann.  Nat.  Hist.   (1850), 

p.  365  ;  Cooke,  Hdbk.,  n.  1130. 
Didymium  farinacewm,  Purt.,  M.  F.,  p.  273. 


Physarum  imitans,  Racib. 

Sporangia  hemispherical,  umbilicate,  greyish-white,  dehiscing 
irregularly,  stipitate,  erect  or  slightly  nodding,  stem  subulate, 
brownish-black,  slightly  longer  than  the  sporangium,  rigid; 
columella  absent,  capillitium  white,  copious,  forming  an  irregular 
net,  nodes  irregular,  sometimes  filled  with  lime  ;  spores  9'5  —  10 
mm.  diam.,  violet,  warted. 

Racib.,  Myx.  Crac.,  p.  5,  f,  3,  a,  6;  Sacc.,  Syll.,  1205. 

On  branches.  Poland.  Sporangia  (stem  included)  up  to 
1  mm.  high. 


Physanun.  293 

Physarum  pulcherrimum,  B.  and  R. 

Sporangia  globose  or  broadly  elliptical,  sometimes  slightly 
umbilicate  below,  stipitate,  varying  in  colour  from  clear  deep 
rose-red  to  pink ;  stem  similarly  coloured,  varying-  length  from 
once  to  twice  the  length  of  the  sporangium,  slender,  expanding 
at  the  base  into  a  circular  hypothallus,  filled  with  particles  of 
lime,  longitudinally  wrinkled  ;  columella  absent ;  capillitium 
variable,  sometimes  scanty,  at  others  rather  copious,  threads 
thin,  forming  an  irregular  network,  colourless,  or  tinged  pink, 
swollen  portions  elliptical,  small,  number  variable,  interstitial, 
rarely  produced  at  the  nodes,  containing  pin,k  granules  of 
lime;  spores  globose,  reddish-lilac,  very  minutely  vwruculose, 
8 — 10  p  diameter. 

Physarum  pulcherrimum,  B.  and  Rav.,  Grev.,  vol.  ii.,  p.  65, 
fig.  84;  Cke.,  Brit.  Myx.,  fig.  84;  Sacc.,  Syll.,  vii.,  1,  n.  1178: 
Rost.,  Mon.  Append.,  p.  8. 

(Type  in  Herb.  Berk.,  Kew,  n.  10,781.) 

On  wood,  &c.     United  States;  Paraguay. 

A  slender,  delicate  species,  stem  thin,  erect;  sporangium 
covered  with  a  smooth  crust  composed  of  minute  granules  of 
lime.  The  hypothallug  is  usually  pale  ochraceous  and  wrinkled. 
Gregarious,  sometimes  becoming  crowded,  rarely  2 — 3  sporangia 
supported  on  a  common  stem,  from  1*5 — 2  mm.  high. 

*  Epispore  smooth. 
Physarum  Carlylei,  Mass.  (figs.  240,  241).   ?>*«•«*'" 

Sporangia  stipitate,  broadly  pyriform,  orange-vermilion,  mi- 
nutely furfuraceous ;  stem  about  equal  in  length  to  diameter 
of  sporangium,  thick,  rugulose,  vermilion,  expanding  downwards 
into  a  small  wrinkled  hypothallus ;  threads  of  capillitium  thin, 
yellow,  forming  a  dense  net,  swollen  at  the  angles  and  there 
containing  orange-coloured  granules  of  lime;  columella  absent; 
spores  globose,  smooth,  dirty  violet,  7 — 8  JA  diameter. 

Grev.,  vol.  xvii.,  March  (1889). 

On  rotten  wood.     Carlisle.     (Dr.  Carlyle.) 


294          A  Monograph  of  the  Muxogastres. 

A  very  distinct  species,  sporangia  1*5 — 2  mm.  high,  scattered 
singly  or  in  groups  of  two  or  three.  Most  nearly  related  to 
Physarum  nlliginosum,  Fr.,  but  readily  distinguished  by  the 
smaller  spores,  and  the  scattered  stipitate  sporangia.  Readily 
distinguished  from  the  red  form  of  Physarum  Schumachcri,  by 
the  absence  of  a  columella  and  the  pyriform  sporangium  passing 
insensibly  into  the  short  stem. 

Physarum  atrorubrum,  Peck.  ?.?vAcVeT«,v*uv*t 

Scattered  or  gregarious,  stipitate ;  sporangia  globose,  even  or 
somewhat  wrinkled,  dark-red;  stem  cylindrical,  even,  blackish 
or  subconcolorous,  capillitiurn  when  cleared  of  the  spores 
whitish,  sometimes  with  a  slight  pinkish  tinge ;  columella  none ; 
spores  globose,  smooth,  dark-brown  in  the  mass,  dark-red  when 
separated,  '0003 — '00035'  in  diameter  (  =  about  8 — 9  p.). 

Physarum  atrorubrum,  Peck,  31st  Report,  N.  York  State 
Mus.,  p.  40;  Sacc.,  SylL,  vii.,  1,  n.  1202  (as  Physarum  atro- 
piirpureum  by  mistake). 

Decaying  wood.     Adirondack  Mt?.,  U.  States. 

The  plants  are  scarcely  one  line  high.  The  capillitiurn  is 
very  delicate,  and  when  cleared  of  the  spores  the  knot-like 
thickenings  are  seen  to  be  very  small  and  of  a  dark-red  colour, 
to  which  probably  is  due  the  pinkish  tinge  sometimes  observed. 
The  dark -red  granules  of  the  sporangium  walls  are  abundant, 
and  appear  to  form  a  continuous  crust.  (Peck.) 

Physarum  roseum,  B.  and  Br. 

Sporangia  stipitate,  globose,  broadly  elliptical  or  obovate, 
dark  reddish-purple,  sporangial  wall  covered  with  a  thin  crust 
of  minute  granules  of  lime;  stem  brownish-purple,  equal, 
longitudinally  wrinkled,  filled  with  granules  of  lime,  equal  to 
or  usually  longer  than  sporangium,  expanding  at  the  base  into 
a  small,  circular,  pale  brown,  wrinkled  hypothallus ;  capil- 
litiurn well  developed,  threads  thin,  tinged  pink,  with  scattered, 
elliptical,  interstitial  swellings  containing  lime,  nodes  not  usually 
enlarged  or  containing  granules ;  spores  globose,  smooth,  10 — 11  M 
diameter. 


Physarum.  ,     295 

Physarum  roseitm,  Berk,  and  Broome,  Fungi  of  Ceylon,  ii., 
n.  760,  in  Journ.  Linn.  Soc.,  vol.  xiv.,  p.  84;  Host.,  Mon. 
Append.,  p.  10;  Sacc.,  Syll.,  vii.,  1,  n.  1194. 

(Type  in  Herb.  Berk.,  Kew.) 

On  grass,  moss,  bark,  &c.     Ceylon  ;  Paraguay. 

Gregarious,  2'5  —  3  mm.  high.  Closely  allied  to  Physarum 
pulcherrimum,  of  which  the  present  species  may  eventually 
prove  to  be  only  a  variety.  The  spores  are  generally  smooth 
under  a  TVth  objective,  but  some  show  a  minutely  verruculose 
surface. 

Physarum  ornatum,  Peck.  .f.oj^^V"^ 

Sporangia  depressed  or  hemispherical,  plane  or  slightly  con- 
cave beneath,  greenish-cinereous,  dotted  with  small  yellow 
granules,  the  empty  walls  whitish  ;  stem  short,  black  or  blackish- 
brown,  generally  longitudinally  wrinkled  when  dry;  columella 
none  ;  capUlitium  with  numerous,  yellow,  knot-like  thickenings  ; 
spores  globose,  smooth,  violet-brown  in  the  mass,  '0004'  —  '0005' 
in  diameter  (  =  about  10  —  11  /x). 

Physarum  ornatum,  Peck,  31st  Report  of  N.  York  State  Mus., 
p.  40;  Sacc.,  Syll.,  vii.,  1,  n.  1220. 

Decaying  wood.     Albany,  U.  S. 

Physarum  Petersii,  B.  and  C.  ?.?<AtV.s>« 


Gregarious,  stipitate,  sporangia  globose,  wall  thin,  yellow, 
with  a  thin  sprinkling  of  minute  particles  of  lime  that  soon 
disappears  ;  stem  elongated,  slender,  subequal  or  slightly  thicker 
below,  expanded  at  the  base  into  a  small,  orbicular  hypothallus, 
reddish-brown,  longitudinally  wrinkled  and  filled  with  lime; 
columella  subglobose  or  shortly  cylindrical,  whitish  ;  capillitium 
rather  dense,  forming  an  irregular  network,  threads  thin,  with 
scattered,  elliptical,  interstitial  swellings  containing  yellow  granules 
of  lime,  nodes  rarely  swollen  ;  spores  dirty  lilac,  smooth,  7  —  8  p 
diameter. 

Physarum  Petersii,  B.  and  C.,  Grev.,  vol.  ii.,  p.  66;  Host., 
Mon.,  p.  116,  Append.,  p.  6  ;  Sacc.,  Syll.,  vii.,  1,  1174. 


296  A  Monograph  of  the  Myxogastres. 

(Type  in  Herb.  Berk.) 

Physarum  galbcum,  Wingate,  in  E.  and  E.,  N.  Amer.  Fung., 
2491. 

On  moss,  wood,  &c.     U.  States. 

Resembling  in  the  long,  slender  stem,  and  small,  elliptical 
lumps  of  lime,  some  species  of  Tilmadoche  from  which  genus 
it  differs  in  the  presence  of  a  columella.  About  2  mm.  high. 


Physarum  hians, 

Sporangia  stipitate,  yellowish-red,  then  blackish,  globose  or 
slightly  elongated;  stem  reddish-brown,  silicate,  expanding  at 
the  base  into  a  small,  circular  hypothallus,  penetrating  the 
sporangium  as  a  columella  which  reaches  nearly  to  the  apex  ; 
threads  of  capillitium  yellowish,  with  violet  tinge,  forming  a 
somewhat  dense  network,  nodes  irregularly  oblong,  reddish- 
yellow,  spores  violet,  smooth,  8  —  10  n  diameter. 

Ttynadoche  hians,  Host.,  Mon.  App.,  p.  14. 

Tilmadoche  minuta,  Berl.,  Sacc.,  Syll.,  vii.,  1,  n.  1251. 

On  dead  leaves.     Belgium. 

The  present  species  is  removed  from  Tilmadoche  on  account 
of  the  columella. 

Physai'um  rufibasis,  B.  and  BrM  quoted  by  Rostafinski  as  a 
synonym  under  the  present  species  is  quite  distinct,  hence  the 
Ceylon  habitat  of  the  latter  is  incorrect. 

(Rostafinski's  Synonyms.)    .    • 

Cralenum  minutum,  Kickx,  non  Fr. 

Physarum  rujibasis,  B.  and  Br.,  Fung.  Ceylon,  n.  762  (1873). 
CJwndrioderma  inflatum,  Rost.,  Mon.,  p.  425,  n.  177  (1874). 
See  Kickx's  description  of  Craterium  minutum  under  Cra- 
terium. 

Physarum  Leveillei,  Rost.^  -^^^ 

Sporangia  lenticular,  furfuraceous,  golden,  as  is  also  the 
upwards  attenuated  stem,  threads  of  capillitium  vanishing; 
spores  globose,  smooth,  10  —  11  jx  diameter. 


Pliysarum.  297 

Physarum  Leveillei,  Rost.,  Mon.  App.,  p.  7;  Sacc.,  SylL,  vii., 
1,  n.  1177. 

On  dead  leaves.     Chili. 

Var.  chrysopits,  Host.,  stem  and  sporangium  golden-yellow, 
1  mm.  diameter;  spores  10  p.  diameter,  lime  granules  golden- 
yellow. 

Var.  auripes,  Host.  ;  stem  golden,  sporangium  citrin. 

Venezuela. 

Var.  Fuistingii,  stem  orange,  sporangium  rufmbs-brown. 

Westphalia. 

(Rostafinski's  Synonym.)  . 

Physarum  aureum,  /3.  chrysopus,  Lev.,  Ann.  Sc.  Nat.,  p.  116 
(1846). 


Physarum  Kalchbrenneri,  Mass.  (n.  sp.). 

Scattered,  stipitate,  sporangia  spherico-depressed,  umbilicate 
below,  pale  yelloiv-green,  rough  with  minute  particles  of  lime  ; 
stem  elongated,  thickest  below  or  fusiform,  pale  pink,  rigid,  filled 
with  granules  of  lime;  capillitium  forming  a  very  dense, 
irregular  network,  nodes  numerous,  large,  irregularly  angular, 
containing  yellow  granules  of  lime,  internodes  6  —  9  //,  thick, 
colourless,  without  lime,  collapsing;  spores  dingy-lilac,  smooth, 
11  —  13  JJL  diameter. 

(Type  in  Herb.,  Kew,  along  with  Tilmadoche  variabilis.') 

On  wood.     Cape  of  Good  Hope. 

Superficially  resembling  a  typical  Tilmadoche  in  the  long, 
slender  stem,  but  separated  from  that  genus  by  the  very  thick 
capillitium  tubes,  and  the  numerous  large,  irregularly  angular 
nodes.  From  2'5  —  3  mm.  high. 

Physarum  globuliferum,  Rost. 

Sporangia  globose,  stipitate,  greyish  ;  stem  equal  to  spor- 
angium or  twice  as  long,  rigid,  fragile,  white,  sulcate  ;  columella 
large,  cylindrical,  obtuse,  white  ;  capillitium  well  developed,  rigid, 
not  collapsing,  vesicles  containing  lime  numerous,  of  variable 
size,  yellowish  or  reddish;  spores  globose,  smooth,  9  —  11  p 
diameter. 


298  A  Monograph  of  the  Myxogastres. 

Physarum  globuliferum,  Rost.,  Mon.,  p.  98;  Sacc.,  Syll.,  vii., 
1,  n.  1173. 

On  moss,  leaves,  rotten  wood,  &c.  Sweden ;  France  ;  Ger- 
many. 

(Rostafinski's  Synonyms.) 

Sphaerocarpus  globulifer,  Bull.,  Champ.,  p.  134,  t.  484,  f.  3 

(1791). 
Stemonitis  gldbulifcra,  Gmel.,  Syst.  Nat.,  ii.,  p.  1467,  n.   2 

(1791). 
Physarum  globuliferum,  Pers.,  Syn.,  p.  175,  t.  3,  f.  11,   12 

(1801). 

Trichia  globulifera,  D.C.,  Fl.  Fr.,  2,  p.  253  (1805). 
Didenna  globuliferum,  Fr.,  l.c.,  iii.,  p.  100  (1829). 

B.     Sporangia  sessile,  plasmodiocarp,  or  acthalioid. 
4  *  Epispore  warted. 

Physarum  cinereum,  Rost.  (figs.  71 — 73).  n 

Sporangia  sessile  on  a  broad  base,  sometimes  globose,  scattered 
or  crowded,  at  others  elongated,  flexuous  and  depressed,  wall 
rigid  with  lime,  white ;  columella  absent ;  capillitium  abundant 
with  numerous  large,  irregular  knots  of  lime  connected  by  very 
thin  threads;  spores  globose,  dingy  violet,  minutely  warted, 
10 — 13  n  diameter. 

Physarum  cinereum,  Rost.,  Mon.,  p.  102,  figs.  71,  72,  85 ; 
Cooke,  Myx.  Brit.,  p.  13,  figs.  71,  72,  85 ;  Sacc.,  Syll.,  n.  1189 ; 
Schroeter,  p.  128;  Raunk.,  Myx.  Dan.,  p.  75,  t.  4,  f.  9. 

Exsicc. — Ellis  and  Everhart,  N.  Amer.  Fung.,  ser.  II.,  n. 
2085 ;  Rav.,  Fung.  Car.,  79  and  83. 

Fung.  Cub.  Wrightiani,  535 ;  De  Thum.,  Myc.  Univ.,  1598 ; 
Holl,  Schmidt  and  Kunze,  Deutsch.  Schw.,  38 ;  Roum.,  Fung. 
Gall.,  1881. 

On  leaves,  wood,  twigs,  &c.  Britain  (King's  Cliflfe,  Bury  St. 
Edmund's,  Bungay,  Kevv,  Hitchin,  Carlisle,  Scarboro',  Berwick, 
N.  Wales,  Linlithgow) ;  Germany;  Finland;  Sweden;  Belgium; 


Physarum.  ,      299 

France ;  Switzerland ;  Algiers ;  S.  Africa ;  United  States ; 
Ceylon ;  Australia ;  India. 

Varying  from  *5 — 2-3  mm.  when  elongated ;  some  forms  of 
the  present  species  resemble  externally  Didymium  serpula,  Fr., 
but  are  readily  distinguished  under  the  microscope. 

Var.  ovoideum,  Sacc.  Sporangia  vertically  ovoid,  densely 
gregarious. 

Physarum  cinereum,  var.  ovoideum,  Sacc.,  Mich.,  ii.,  p.  334. 

Britain  (Lynd hurst,  New  Forest) ;  France. 

(Rostafinski's  Synonyms.) 

Mucilago  Crustacea,  Mich.,  Gen.,  t.  96,  f.  9  (1729). 

Lycoperdon  cinereum,  Batsch,  fig.  169  (1783). 

Lycoperdon  alni,  Bjer.,  in  Vet.  Handl.,  p.  39  (1789). 

Trichia  caerulea,  Trent.,  p.  229  (1797). 

Physarum  cinereum,  Pers.,  Syn.,  p.  170  (1801);  Nees,  f.  107; 

Letell.,  t.  710,  f.  2. 
Physarum  violaceum,  Schum.,  Saell.,  1428  (1803) ;  Fl.  Dan., 

t.  1980,  f.  2. 

Physarum  corrugatum,  Link,  Herb. 
Physarum  coelatum,  Ehr.,  Herb. 
Physarum    conglolatum,   Fr.    Gast.,   p.    21    (1818);    Letell., 

t.  710,  f.  3. 
Didymium  cinereum,  Fr.,  S.  M.,  iii.,  126   (1829);   Eng.  FL, 

v.,  p.  314;  Cke,  Hdbk.,  1133. 
Physarum  plumbcum,  Fr.,  S.  M.,  iii.,  142  (1829). 
Physarum  Weinmanni,  Fr.,  var.  in  litt. 
Didymium  melanopus,  Wallr.,  n.  2193  (1833). 
Physarum  sinuosum,  Wallr. 

Didymium  scrobiculatum,  Berk.,  Hook.  Journ.  (1845),  p.  66. 
Physarum  album,  Fuckel,  F.  Rhe'n.,  1469  (1865). 

Var.  flexuosum.  sessile  on  a  broad  base,  depressed,  spherical 
in  outline,  or  elongated  and  variously  curved,  wall  at  first  white, 
becoming  grey  when  the  outer  chalky  layer  has  broken  away 
in  flakes;  columella  absent;  capillitium  dense,  threads  thin, 
2  fj.  diameter,  colourless,  Jtexuous  or  spirally  coiled,  furnished 


300  A  Monograph  of  the  Myxogastres. 

witli  numerous  small,  discoid,  coloured  projections  irregularly 
scattered,  combined  to  form  an  irregular  network,  interstitial, 
small,  elliptical  swellings  containing  colourless  granules  of  lime, 
very  rare  ;  spores  brown  with  lilac  tinge,  globose,  coarsely  warted, 
14  p.  diameter. 

Physarum  cinereum,  Sacc.,  Myc.  Ven.,  Exs.,  n.  1101. 

On  living  or  dead  leaves,  twigs,  &c.  Britain  (Epping  Forest) ; 
Italy. 

The  above,  if  in  reality  a  variety  of  Physarum  cinereum, 
differs  considerably  in  the  structure  of  the  capillitiuui  and  the 
large,  coarsely  warted  spores.  Its  occurrence  in  Britain  and 
Italy  suggests  it  to  be  a  constant  form. 

Physarum  chrysotrichum,  B.  and  C.  T.loAe-otiuv 

Sporangia  sessile,  subglobose  when  scattered,  often  irregular 
or  crowded  and  more  or  less  confluent,  wall  rigid,  usually 
granulated  with  projecting  lumps  of  lime,  varying  from  yellow 
through  fulvous  to  almost  clear  vermilion;  capillitium  dense, 
nodes  numerous,  large,  irregularly  angular,  filled  with  yellow  or 
tawny  lumps  of  lime,  connected  at  various  points  by  long,  thin, 
empty  intcrnodes,  some  of  the  nodes  are  small  and  without  lime ; 
spores  lilac,  globose,  minutely  warted,  7 — 8  p  diameter. 

Physarum  chrysotrichum,  B.  and  C.,  Grev.,  vol.  ii.,  p.  66. 
(Type  in  Herb.  Berk.,  Kew,  n.  10,804.) 

Physarum  inaequalis,  Peck,  31st  Report,  p.  40. 

Badhamia  decipiens,  Host.,  Mon.  A  pp.,  p.  4. 

"Physarum  subglobosum,  (B.  and  C.)."  Sacc.,  Syll.,  vii,  1, 
n.  1226.  (I  am  not  aware  that  there  is  any  such  species  by 
B.  and  C.,  and  it  is  obviously  a  slip  in  Saccardo's  Sylloge  for 
P.  chrysotrichum. 

On  moss,  wood,  &c.     United  States. 

The  type  specimen  is  a  true  Physarum,  as  will  be  seen  by 
the  above  description,  and  on  the~  same  piece  of  moss-covered 
wood  ranges  through  the  colours  given  above. 

Physarum  scrobiculatum,  Mass.  P-c-vmeTium1 
Sporangia  sessile  on  a  broad  or  narrowed  base,  seated  on  a 


Physa  ru  in.  301 

thick,  wide-spreading  hypothalhis,  scattered  or  aggregated,  often 
irregular  and  aethalioid,  or  several  blending  together  to  form 
a  plasmodiocarp,  pale  flesh-colour,  brittle,  often  furfuraceous ; 
capillitium  dense,  forming  an  irregular  network,  nodes  numerous, 
large,  irregularly  angular,  filled  with  yellow  granules  of  lime, 
connected  at  several  points  by  long,  thin,  colourless  internodes 
without  lime;  columella  absent;  spores  lilac-brown,  globose, 
minutely  warted,  13 — 14  /u,  diameter. 

Didymium  scroliculatum,  Berk.,  Hook.  Journ.,  vol.  iv.,  p.  66. 

Physarum  cinereiMi,  Sacc.,  Syll.,  vii.,  1,  n.  1189  (in  part.). 
(Type  in  Herb.  Berk.,  n.  10,77-1) 

On  charred  wood.     Australia. 

Distinct  from  P.  cinereum  in  the  size  of  the  spores,  wide- 
spreading,  firm  hypothallus,  and  colour  of  the  sporangia!  wall. 

Physarum  Rostafinskii,  Mass.  "P.  c,< 

Sporangia  distinct,  conglomerated,  sessile,  rounded  or  angular, 
depressed,  exterior  membrane  thickish,  granular,  chalky,  fragile, 
yellow  or  ochraceous,  interior  wall  thin,  grey  or  yellowish,  from 
0*2 — 0'5  mm.  diameter;  capillitium  furnished  with  numerous 
irregularly  angular  nodes  containing  coloured  granules  of  lime ; 
columella  cylindrical,  spores  minutely  spinulose,  blackish-violet, 
8 — 9  ju,  diameter. 

Physarum  conglomeratum,  Host.,  Mon.,  p.  109;  Sacc.,  Syll., 
vii.,  1,  n.  1184. 

On  leaves,  moss,  &c.  Germany;  Sweden;  Finland;  San 
Francisco. 

I  am  not  acquainted  with  the  present  species,  which  is 
certainly  not  Diderma  conglomeratum,  Fr.,  as  supposed  by 
Rostafinski,  hence  the  localities  given  by  Rostafinski  may  or 
may  not  show  the  distribution  of  this  species ;  the  same  applies 
to  his  synonyms. 

(Rostafinski's  Synonyms.) 

Diderma  ochraceum,  Hoffm.,  Fl.  Germ.,  iii.,  t.  9,  f.  2,  b  (1795). 
Eeticularia  ochracea,  Poir.,  Ency.  ap  Streintz  (1795). 


302  A  Monograph  of  the  Myocogastres. 

Spumaria  granularia,  Schum.,  Fl.  Saell.,  n.  1419 ;  Fl.  Dan., 

t.  1979,  f.  2  (1803). 
Spumaria   minuta,   Schum.,   Fl.   Saell.,  n.    1419 ;   Fl.   Dan., 

t.  1979,  f.  1  (1803). 
Diderma  vitellinum,  Link,  Herb. 
Didymium  glomeratum,  Fr.,  Herb. 
Didymium  contextum,  (3.  glomerulosum,  Fr.,  Sym.  Gast.,  p.  20 

(1818). 

Diderma  conglomeratum,  Fr.,  I.e.,  iii.,  p.  Ill  (1829). 
Diderma  granulatum,  Fr.,  l.c.,  iii.,  p.  110  (1821). 
Diderma  minutum,  Fr.,  I.e.,  iii.,  p.  Ill  (1829). 
Diderma  rugulos-um,  Wein.,  I.e.,  p.  594  (1836). 
Diderma  flavum,  Fr.,  in  Wein.,  I.e.,  p.  593  (1836). 
Leocarpus  minutus,  Fr.,  Sm.  Veg.  Scan.,  p.  540  (1849). 
Leocarpus  granulatus,  Fr.,  Sm.  Veg.  Scan.,  p.  541  (1849). 
Garcerina  conglomerata,  Fr.,  Sm.  Veg.  Scan.,  p,  451  (1849). 

^  Physamm  rubiginosum,  Rost.  : 

Sporangia  gregarious,  usually  nearly  globose,  attached  by  a 
broad  or  narrow  base,  wall  double,  outer  layer  brittle,  breaking 
away  in  flakes,  from  dirty  orange  to  clear  vermilion,  inner  wall 
very  thin,  grey;  columella  absent;  capillitium  copious,  nodes 
and  interstitial  swollen  portions  numerous,  variable  in  size, 
containing  yellow  or  reddish  granules  of  lime ;  spores  dingy 
violet,  10 — 13  p.  diameter,  with  a  slight  indication  of  being 
verruculose. 

Physamm  ruMginosum,  Rost.,  Hon.,  p.  1 04 ;  Sacc.,  Syll.,  vii., 
1,  n.  1180. 

On  moss,  &c.     Sweden ;  Finland ;  United  States. 

Sessile,  globose,  1 — 1'5  mm.  diameter;  distinguished  by  the 
bright  colour  of  the  outer  layer  of  the  sporangial  wall,  the  very 
thin,  grey,  inner  layer,  absence  of  columella  and  spores  which 
vary  from  being  perfectly  smooth  to  very  minutely  verruculose. 
The  granules  of  lime  present  on  the  outer  wall  of  the  spor- 
angium, when  examined  under  the  microscope,  are  seen  to  be 
mostly  minute  and  yellow,  amongst  which  are  a  few  scattered, 
larger  ruby-red  lumps. 


Physaniw.  303 

(Rostafinski's  Synonyms.) 

Physarum   rubiginosum,  Fr.,  Sym.  Gast,  p.  21.   non  Chev. 

(1818). 

Leangium  rubiginosum,  Fr.,  Stirp.  Femsj.,  p.  83  (1825). 
Physarum  fulvum,  Fr.,  I.e.,  iii.,  p.  143  (1829). 

Physarum  contextum,  Host.  (figs.  276 — 283).  1Ws 

Sporangia  sessile  on  a  broad  base,  crowded,  subglobose,  reni- 
form,  or  elongated  and  variously  interlocked,  wall  double,  outer 
thick,  containing  lime,  varying  from  colourless  to  deep  lemon- 
yellow,  inner  thin,  yellowish ;  capillitium  well  'developed,  with 
numerous,  irregularly  branched  'nodes  containing  lime,  usually 
tinged  yellow ;  spores  globose,  brownish-violet,  minutely  warted, 
11 — 14  /x.  diameter.  . 

Physarum  contextum,  Host,  Mon.,  p.  109 ;  Cooke,  Brit.  Myx., 
p.  13;  Raunk.,  Myx.  Dan.,  p.  73;  Sacc.,  Syll.,  n.  1185; 
Schroeter,  130. 

Exsicc. — Fckl,  Fung.  Rhen.,  2400  (as  Diderma  contextum, 
Pers.) ;  Ellis  and  Everh.,  N.  Ainer.  Fung.,  ser.  II.,  2086. 

On  moss,  leaves,  and  bark.  Britain  (Shere,  Kew,  King's 
Cliffe);  France;  Germany;  United  States;  Ceylon. 

In  some  of  its  forms  resembling  Physarum  conglomeratum, 
from  which  it  is  known  by  the  denser  capillitium  of  numerous 
large,  irregular  knots  containing  yellow  granules  of  lime,  and 
the  larger  sporangia  usually  of  a  pale  lemon-yellow,  sometimes 
with  a  very  faint  tinge  of  green. 

(Rostafinski's  Synonyms.) 

Diderma  contextum,  Pers.,  Obs.,  i.,  89  (1796) ;  Ditm.,  t.  39 ; 

Cke.,  Hdbk,  n.  1117. 

Physarum  contextum,  Pers.,  Syn.,  168  (1801). 
Didymium  contextum,  Fr.,  Gast.,  p.  20  (1818). 
Lcocarpus  contextus,  Fr.,  S.  V.  S.,  450  (1849). 
Chondrioderma  contextum,  Rost.,  in  Fckl.,  Sym.  Myc.,  ii.,  74 

(1873). 
Diderma  ochroleucum,  B.  and  C.,  Grev.,  343. 


304  A  Monograph  of  the  Myxoyastres. 

Physarum  diderma,  Host.  P.ii^ev monies 

Sporangia  sessile,  adnate  by  a  narrow  base,  globose,  snow-white, 
wall  double,  outer  dense,  fragile,  thick,  charged  with  lime,  inner 
thin,  separated  for  some  distance  from  the  outer,  the  obsolete 
columella  composed  of  numerous  angularly-globose  granules  of 
lime;  spores  dingy  violet,  spinulose,  9 — 10  /x  diameter. 

Physarum  Diderma,  Host.,  Mon.,  p.  110;  Sacc.,  Syll.,  vii.,  9, 
n.  1168. 

Poland. 

The  above  imperfect  description  suggests  the  genus  Chon- 
drioderma  rather  than  Physarum. 

Physarum  lividum,  Host.  P.^Ae* 

Sporangia  crowded,  sessile,  subglobose  or  irregular,  blackish, 
thickly  covered  with  small  white  particles  of  lime;  columella 
absent ;  spores  globose  or  subangular,  opaque,  minutely  aspcru- 
lose,  JO — 12  /ix  diameter;  capillitium  almost  absent. 

Physarum  lividum,  Host.,  Mon.,  p.  95 ;  Sacc.,  Syll.,  vii.,  1, 
1169. 

On  fallen  Opuntia.  Sweden ;  Germany ;  Algeria ;  N. 
America. 

I  have  no  knowledge  of  the  present  species,  which  appears 
to  be  too  briefly  described  to  insure  future  identification. 

(Rostafinski's  Synonyms.) 

Physarum  griseum,  Link,  Diss.  II.,  f.  42  (1809). 

Physarum  effusum,  Link,  Herb.  (1809). 

Physarum  conglobatum,  FT.,  Sym.  Cast.,  p.  21,  p.p.  non  Dit. 

(1818). 

Spumaria  licheniformis,  Sz.,  Amer.  Fung.,  n.  2364  (1834). 
Didymium  physaroides,  M.  Fl.  Alg.,  p.  412,  non  Fr.  (1846). 
Licea  alba,  Boug.,  Herb.  (1846). 

Physarum  conglomeratum,  Mass.  (figs.  210 — 212,  284—286). 

Sporangia  sessile  on  a  broad  'base,  convex  above,  crowded, 
subangular  from  mutual  pressure,  wall  double,  outer  containing 


Physarum.  .  305 

much  lime,  rough,  dirty  ochraceous,  breaking  away  irregularly, 
inner  membranaceous,  grey  ;  columella  absent  ;  mass  of  spores 
blackish-violet  ;  capillitium  rather  dense,  flaccid,  threads  colour- 
less, 2*5  —  3  ft  thick,  irregularly  anastomosing,  nodes  distant, 
irregularly  globose,  filled  with  colourless  granules  of  lime  ;  spores 
globose,  dusky  violet,  coarsely  warted,  11  —  13  /u,  diameter. 

Diderma  conglomeratum,  Fries,  Syst.  Myc.,  iii.,  p.  Ill  (not 
Physarum  conglomeratum  of  Host.,  Mon.,  f.  90  ;  Cke.,  Brit.  Myx., 
f.  90;  Sacc.,  Syll:,  v.,  7,  n.  1184). 

(Specimen  from  Fries  in  Herb.  Berk.,  Kew.) 

On  bark.     Britain  (King's  Cliffe)  ;  Sweden. 

Sporangia  about  '5  mm.  diameter.  Capillitium  consisting  of 
long,  thin,  anastomosing  internodes,  nodes  distant,  subglobose, 
without  tapering  rays,  but  giving  origin  at  once  to  the  thin, 
empty,  flaccid  internodes. 

The  above  description  is  compiled  from  a  specimen  sent  by 
Fries  to  Berkeley,  and  marked  in  Fries'  handwriting,  "  Diderma 
conglomeratum,  Fries,  Suec.  Lindberg."  The  specimen  is  now 
in  the  Berkeley  collection  in  the  Kew  Herbarium.  From  the 
above  it  will  be  seen  that  Rostafmski's  Physarum  conglomeratum, 
which  he  considers  to  be  the  Diderma  conglomeratum  of  Fries, 
is  not  that  species  at  all,  hence  synonyms  have  not  been  given. 
I  am  not  acquainted  with  a  species  corresponding  to  Rostafinski's 
description. 


Physarum  sinuosum,  Rost.  (figs.  292, 

Plasrnodiocarp  laterally  compressed,  elongated,  flexuous,  or 
irregularly  anastomosing,  white  or  yellowish,  usually  dehiscing  by 
a  split  along  the  upper,  free  margin,  wall  double,  the  outer 
mostly  converted  into  lime,  brittle,  the  inner  without  lime, 
grey  ;  capillitium  dense,  knots  containing  lime  large,  numerous, 
connected  by  short,  thin  portions;  spores  globose,  brownish- 
violet,  variously  but  always  wry  minutely  verruculose,  8  —  9  //. 
diameter. 

Physarum  sinuosum,  Rost.,  Mon.,  p.  112,  f.  91  ;  Cooke,  Brit. 
Myx.,  p.  14,  f.  91  ;  Sacc.,  Syll.,  n.  1198  (Excl.  Syn.  Diderma 
pallidum,  B.  and  C.). 


306          A  Monograph  of  the  Myxogastres. 

Exsicc  —  Karst.,  Fung.  Fenn.,  698;  Lib.,  Crypt.  Ard.,  376; 
Fck).,  F.  Ehen.,  1466;  Cke.,  Brit  Fung.,  Ed.  II.,  206;  Ellis, 
N.  Amer.  Fung.,  1394;  Klotzsch,  Herb.  Myc.  (Rah.),  761; 
Syd.,  Myc.  March.,  257;  Rab.,  F.  Eur.,  798,  1913,  1070,  2139. 

On  bark,  wood,  &c.  Britain  (Bristol,  Hampstead,  Castle 
Howard,  Yorks;  Carlisle,  Linlithgow) ;  France;  Germany; 
Finland  ;  Austria ;  United  States ;  Cuba ;  Ceylon. 

Readily  distinguished  by  the  very  much  laterally  compressed 
plasmodiocarp.  The  outer  wall  is  sometimes  almost  as  porce- 
lain-like as  in  Chondrioderma,  but  is  usually  rugulose.  The 
epispore  varies,  when  seen  under  a  power  of  1200  diameters, 
from  almost  smooth  to  being  distinctly  warted,  and  in  some 
instances  the  warts  become  bar-like  and  more  or  less  combined 
to  form  a  very  delicate  and  broken  network. 


(Rostafinski's  Synonyms.) 

itfticularia  sinuosa,  Bull.,  t.  446,  f.  3  (1791);  Sow.,  t.  6. 
Physarum  bivalve,  Pers.,  Obs.,  t.  1,  f.  2  (1796). 
Trichia  spliaerica,  /3.  polymorpha,  Trent.,  p.  230  (1797). 
Angioridium  sinuosum,  Grev.,  S.  C.  Fl.,  t.  310  (1828) ;  Eng. 

Fl.,  v.,  315 ;  Cooke,  Hdbk.,  n.  1142,  fig.  128. 
Diderma  valvatum,  Fr.,  S.  M.,  iii.,  109  (1829). 
Didymium  sinuosum,  DR.  and  M.,  Fl.  Alg.,  p.  411  (1846). 
Carcerina  valvata,  Fr.,  S.  V.  S.,  p.  451  (1849). 
Leocarpm  melalcucus,  Gay,  in  Mont.  Syll,  1072  (1855). 
Diderma  contortum,  Fckl.,  Sym.  Mrc.,  341  (1869). 
Diderma pallidum,  B.  and  C.,  in  Grevillea,  iii.,  59  (1873). 

Physarum  cerebrinnm,  Mass.  (n.  sp.)  (fig.  275).  y«li(y>*eft 

Aethalium  naked,  broadly  effused,  or  in  small  scattered 
patches,  consisting  of  very  much  contorted  and  anastomosing  folds, 
greyish-lilac,  sprinkled  with  minute  particles  of  lime  ;  capillitium 
consisting  of  numerous,  irregularly  anastomosing  threads  about 
3  f*  thick,  with  here  and  there  usually  interstitial,  large,  elon- 
gated swellings  filled  with  large,  amorphous,  yellow  granules  of 


Physarum.  307 

lime;  spores  globose,  dull  violet,  very  minutely  verruculose, 
9 — 11  /ix.  diameter. 

On  wood  and  soil  in  a  pot  of  palm-seeds  from  Java.  Palm 
House,  Kew. 

Contorted  and  forming  a  brain-like  mass  from  '5 — 4  cm. 
across,  very  friable.  The  present  species  connects  the  genera 
Physarum  and  Fuligo,  if  indeed  the  letter  be  anything  more 
than  an  aethalioid  condition  of  the  former. 

Physarum  gyrosum,  Rost. 

Sporangia  vermiform,  sinuous,  or  variously  anastomosing  to 
form  an  irregular  network,  often  forming  more  or  less  regular 
closed  circles,  wall  double,  outer  very  thin  and  delicate,  inner 
thicker,  rigid  with  granules  of  lime,  varying  from  rusty-orange, 
through  dull  ochre  to  pale  yellow,  dehiscing  in  an  irregular 
manner,  capillitium  fairly  abundant,  nodes  large,  angular,  con- 
taining yellow  or  white  granules  of  lime,  internodes  thin  ;  spores 
dingy  violet,  11 — 12  /A  diameter,  minutely  warted,  globose. 

Physarum  gyrosum,  Rost.,  Mon.,  p.  111. 

Physarum  muscorum,  Sacc.,  Syll,  vii.,  1,  1197.  , 

Exsicc. — Ellis,  N.  Amer.  Fung.,  1396. 

On  leaves,  mosses,  &c.  Britain  (Carlisle);  Germany;  Sweden; 
France ;  Portugal ;  United  States. 

Variable  in  size,  the  large  reticulations  often  extending  up 
to  1  cm.  diameter.  Superficially  closely  resembling  Ceinkowskia 
reticulata. 

(Rostafinski's  Synonyms.) 

Fuligo  muscorum,  A.  and  Sz.,  l.c.,  p.  86,  t.  7,  f.  1  (1805). 
Lignidium  griseo-Jlavum,  Link,  Obs.,  i.,  p.   24,  t.   2,  f.  37; 

Nees,  Syst.,  f.  95  (1809). 

Lignidium  muscicola,  Fr.,  Sym.  Gast.,  p.  10  (1817). 
Lignidium  reniforme,  Fr.,  Sym.  Gast.,  f.  10  (1817). 
Reticularia  muscorum,  Fr.,  I.e.,  iii.,  p.  91  (1829). 
Physarum   sinuosum,   Wein.,   in   Fr.,   I.e.,  iii.,  p.  145;   Excl. 

sinom.  Non.  Auc.  (1829). 


308          A  Monograph  of  the  Myxogastres. 

*  *  Epispore  reticulated. 

Physarum  concimmm,  Mass.  (figs.  22 — 24).BoA\naV>i\i' 

Gregarious  or  crowded,  sessile  on  a  broad  or  narrowed  base, 
globose,  outer  wall  white,  thick,  at  first  crust-like  or  continuous, 
pulverulent,  falling  away  in  flakes  and  exposing  the  inner,  thin, 
iridescent  wall;  columella  absent;  capillitium  dense,  knots 
large,  irregularly  stellate,  white,  connected  by  short,  thin  inter- 
nodes  ;  spores  globose,  dingy  purple,  with  slightly  raised  ridges 
of  various  lengtlis  anastomosing  to  form  an  irregular  network, 
11 — 13  n  diameter. 

Diderma  concinnum,  B.  and  C.,  Grev.,  1873,  n.  343. 

Chondrioderma  floriformc,  Sacc.,  Syll.,  n.  1285  (in  part.). 

On  moss  and  wood.     Britain  (King's  Cliffe) ;  United  States. 

Sporangia  about  '5  mm.  diameter;  the  outer  chalky  layer 
is  at  first  compact  and  somewhat  resembles  that  characteristic 
of  the  genus  Chondrioderma,  but  differs  in  being  minutely 
pulverulent  and  not  porcelain-like.  The  British  specimen 
differs  from  the  type  in  the  Berkeley  collection  at  Kew  in 
having  the  ridges  on  the  epispore  more  decided,  and  forming 
a  more  distinct  reticulation.  In  the  type  the  epispore  is 
furnished  with  a  mixture  of  warts  and  bars,  but  the  warts  are 
usually  arranged  in  anastomosing  lines.  Saccardo's  synonym 
is  clearly  due,  to  some  mixture  of  specimens,  not,  however, 
present  in  the  type  specimen. 

*  *  *  Epispore  smooth. 
Physarum  Braunianum,  De  Bary.  P.loteriYiV**1  V\o<^ 

Sporangia  irregularly  globose,  minute,  sessile,  scattered  or 
collected  in  little  clusters,  brown  ;  columella  absent ;  capillitium 
well  developed,  knots  of  lime  small,  brown,  angularly  globose; 
spores  violet,  smooth,  10 — 11  /*  diameter. 

Physarum  Braunianum,  De  Bary,  MS.;  Host,  Mon.,  p.  105; 
Sacc.,  Syll.,  vil,  1,  1182. 

Germany. 

About  '5  mm.  diameter. 


Physarwrt.  309 


Physarum   Famintzini,  Rost.  \ 

Sporangia  sessile,  minute,  crowded,  sometimes-  confluent, 
dingy  chestnut,  irregularly  hemispherical,  dehiscing  at  the  apex  ; 
columella  absent;  capillitium  elastic,  becoming  elongated  after 
dehiscence,  nodes  not  usually  developed,  sometimes  containing  pale 
pinkish  granules  of  lime  •,  spores  pale  violet,  smooth,  10  ju, 
diameter. 

Physarum  Famintzini,  Rost.,  Mon.,  p.  107;  Sacc.,  Syll.,  vii., 
1,  n.  1181. 

On  branches.     Poland.  '.  , 

I  don't  know  the  present  species,  which,  judging  from 
Rostafinski's  description,  must  be  a  very  peculiar  and.  far  from 
typical  species  of  Physarum. 

Physarum  capense,  Rost.  ^  t. 

Sporangia  irregularly  hemispherical  or  turbinate,  sessile, 
simple,  or  most  frequently  in  crowded  clusters  springing  from 
a  well  developed  hypothallus,  greyish-white;  columella  absent; 
capillitium  copious,  nodes  of  lime  few,  sulgldbose  with  angular 
projections,  internodes  very  long;  spores  pale  violet,  smooth, 
11  —  14  ju,  diameter. 

Physarum  Capense,  Rost.,  Mon.,  p.  113,  f.  92;  Cke.,  Brit. 
Myx.,  f.  92;  Sacc.,  Syll.,  vii.,  1,  n.  1190. 

On  branches.     Cape  of  Good  Hope. 


Physarum  luteolum,  Peck.   P.v\testt*\s 

Sporangium  small,  closely  gregarious,  sessile,  yellowish,  in- 
clining to  tawny,  rupturing  irregularly  ;  flocci  abundant,  yellow- 
ish-white; spores  globose,  purplish-brown,  -0004'  in  diameter 
(  =  about  10—11  jn). 

Physarum  luteolum,  Peck,  30th  Report  of  N.  York  State 
Mus.,  p.  50,  pi.  ii.,  figs.  15—18;  Sacc.,  Syll.,  vii.,  1,  n.  1199. 

Living  leaves  of  Cornus  Canadensis.  Adirondack  Mts., 
U.  States. 


310          A  Monograph  of  the  Myxogastres. 

*  *  *  *  Spores  elliptical. 
Physarum  ellipsosporum,  Rost.  (fig.  214).V\,\^o  tt*«* 

Plasmodiocarp  variable  in  form,  vermiform,  sinuous,  or  reticu- 
lately  combined,  depressed,  wall  firm,  charged  with  particles  of 
lime,  whitish  or  grey ;  capillitium  well  developed,  nodes  numer- 
ous, containing  colourless  granules  of  lime,  internodcs  long, 
slender ;  spores  dirty  lilac,  tooadly  elliptical,  warted,  many  of  the 
warts  becoming  elongated  and  ridge-like,  12 — 16  -f  9 — 11  p. 

Physarum  ellipsosporum,  Rost.,  Mon.  App.,  p.  10 ;  Sacc.,  Syll., 
vii.,  1,  n.  1191. 

Enteridium  cinereum,  Schweinitz,  Amer.  Fung.,  n.  2365. 

(The  specimen  from  Schweinitz  in  Herb.  Berk.,  Kew,  is  the 
one  examined  by  Rostafinski.) 

On  decaying  herbs.     Carolina. 

(Rostafinski's  Synonym.) 
Enteridium  cinereum,  Schweinitz,  Amer.  Fung.,  n.  2365  (1834). 

C.  Position  uncertain,  owing  to  imperfect  description  and 
absence  of  sjjecimens. 

Physarum  flavo-virens,  A.  and  S. 1. 

Sporangia  obovate,  greenish-yellow;  stem  brownish;  spores 
black. 

Physarum  flavo-virens,  Alb.  and  Schwz.,  Nisk.,  p.  97 ;  Fr., 
Syst.  Myc.,  iii.,  p.  137;  Sacc.,  Syll.,  vii.,  1,  n.  1216. 

Amongst  inoss  on  rotten  trunk. 

Stem  of  medium  length ;  sporangium  piriform,  fragile,  smooth, 
not  squamulose.  (A.  and  S.) 

Physarum  luteo-valve,  Sz.  ? 

Irregularly  lobed,  convex,  more  or  less  confluent ;  sporangia 
externally  shining,  gold-colour,  more  or  less  compressed  like  a 
bivalve  shell ;  spores  deep  yellow. 


Physarum.  311 

Physarum  luteo-valve,  Schweinitz,  Syn.,  Fung.  Amer.  Borealis, 
n.  2298;  Sacc.,  Syll.,  vii.,  1,  n.  1218. 
On  fallen  twigs.     Carolina.- 

Physarum  sulphureum,  Rost. 

Sporangia  spherical,  rugoso-squamulose,  sulphur-coloured  ;  stem 
smooth,  short,  white,  tapering  from  the  incrassated  base  in  an 
exactly  conical  manner,  about  equal  in  length  to  the  sporangium 
or  slightly  longer;  capillitium  threads  yellow;  spores  blackish  - 
violet,  10  —  12  ju,  diameter. 

Physarum  sulphureum,  Rost.,  Mon.,  p.  101  ;  Sacc.,  Syll.,  vii., 
1,  n.  1187. 

On  dry  fallen  leaves.     Germany  ;  Russia. 

(Rostafinski's  Synonyms.) 

Physarum  sulphureum,  A.  et  Sz.,  I.e.,  n.  259,  t.  6,  f.  1  (1805). 
Physarum  virescens,  Fuckel,  Syst.  Myc.,  p.  343;    non  Ditm. 
(1869). 

Physarum  Schweinitzii,  Berk.  OV<\ 

Gregarious,  shining,  yellow  ;  the  few  capillitium  threads  and 
globose  granulated  spores  the  same  colour,  about  16  //.  diameter, 
sometimes  rather  irregular. 

Physarum  Schweinitzii,  Berk.,  Grev.,  vol.  ii.,  p.  66  ;  Sacc., 
Syll,  vii.,  1,  n.  1225. 

Polyangium  vitellinum,  Schweinitz  (according  to  Berkeley). 

On  vegetable  fragments.     Bethlehem,  U.  S.     (Schweinitz.) 

Berkeley  has  probably  at  some  time  had  a  specimen  from 
Schweinitz's  Herbarium,  but  no  such  specimen  exists  in 
Berkeley's  Herbarium,  consequently  I  am  not  able  to  determine 
the  nature  of  the  specimen  those  authors  had  in  view. 


Physarum  caespitosum,  Sz.   P.  c.\Tr«v>e\\v 

Substipitate  or  at  least  contracted  at  the  base,  caespitose  or 
scattered  ;  sporangia  close  packed,  turbinate,  obovate,  base  con- 
tracted, exterior  membrane  with  yellow  squamules  or  rough 


312  A  Monograph  of  the  Myxogastres. 

with  particles;  spores  blackish-brown,  threads  of  capillitium 
citrin. 

Physarum  caespitosum,  Schweinitz,  Syn.,  Fung.  Amer.  Bar., 
n.  2310;  Sacc.,  Syll.,  vii.,  1,  n.  1212. 

On  leaves  and  stems  of  Rhododendron.  Bethlehem  ;  United 
States. 

Physarum  muscicolum,  Pers."1 

Sporangia  turbinate,  grey  ;  stem  short,  yellowish  ;  capillitium 
white  ;  spores  black. 

Physarum  muscicolum,  Pers.,  Obs.,  i.,  p.  6  ;  Pers.,  Syn.,  p.  176  ; 
Alb.  and  Schw.,  p.  93;  Sacc.,  Syll.,  vii.,  1,  n.  1219. 

On  the  larger  mosses  in  pine  woods,  peat  mosses,  &c. 
Sweden;  Germany. 

Scattered  or  gregarious,  hypothallus  not  distinct  ;  stem  vari- 
able in  length,  about  twice  as  long  as  sporangium,  often  reddish; 
sporangium  smooth,  at  length  squamulose,  varying  from  obovate 
to  cylindrical  ;  threads  adnate,  white,  spores  compacted.  (Pers.) 


Physarum  albicans,  Peck.  T>  <\l°^' 

Sporangia  whitish,  fugacious,  except  at  the  base,  externally 
mealy  with  lime  granules,  globose,  as  well  as  the  more  per- 
sistent whitish  capillitium  ;  stem  white,  tapering  upwards, 
sometimes  connate  at  the  base,  slightly  penetrating  ;  spores 
globose,  purplish-brown,  -00033'  in  diameter  (  =  about  8  —  9  jn). 

Physarum  albicans,  Peck,  30th  Report,  State  Mus.  of  N.  York, 
p.  50,  pi.  ii.,  figs.  5—8;  Sacc.,  Syll.,  vii.,  1,  n.  1201. 

Didymium  sulroscum,  Peck. 

Bark  and  mosses.     Adirondack  Mts.,  U.  States. 

The  fragments  of  the  base  of  the  peridium  sometimes  remain 
just  below  the  capillitium,  surrounding  the  stem  like  a  calyx 
or  collar.  The  stem  is  even  and  generally  longer  than  the 
peridium,  which  it  penetrates.  After  the  spores  have  fallen 
the  whitish  colour  of  the  capillitium  becomes  apparent.  It 
then  resembles  a  small  globose  tuft  of  wool.  The  plants  grew 
on  the  branches  and  mosses  of  a  standing  dead  birch  tree. 


Physarum.  '     313 

Didymwm  subroseum  is  apparently  the  same  species,  with  a 
pinkish  tinge  to  the  peridium.  (Peck.) 

Physarum  effusum,  Schw.    N«rf- 

Broadly  effused  or  vermiform,  sinuous,  and  combined  to  form 
a  reticulation,  whitish,  almost  membranaceous,  very  much  flat- 
tened ;  threads  of  capillitium  and  mass  of  spores  blackish. 

Physarum  effusum,  Schweinitz,  Syn.,  Fung.  Amer.,  Bar.,  n. 
2297;  Sacc.,  Syll.,  vii.,  1  n.  1211. 

Broadly  effused  on  ashes  or  soot  ("pulvere  vaporario  ").  Salem  ; 
United  States. 

"  :  I 

Physarum  elegans,  Sz.  1 

Sporangia  crowded,  subrotund,  difformed,  convex,  flattened 
above,  subrugose,  clear  amethyst-colour ;  spores  blackish-brown ; 
threads  of  capillitium  thickish. 

Physarum  elegans,  Schweinitz,  Syn.,  Fung.  Amer.,  Bar.,  n. 
2294;  Sacc.,  Syll.,  vii.,  1,  n.  1213. 

Salem ;  United  States. 

Physarum  piceum,  Fr. "! 

Scattered ;  sporangia  sessile,  globose,  pitch-black,  shining ; 
capillitium  threads  very  slender,  and  with  the  spores,  smoky- 
black. 

Physarum  piceum,  Fr.,  Syst.  Myc.,  iii.,  p.  143;  Sacc.,  Syll., 
vii.,  1,  n.  1222. 

On  heaped  up  decorticated  oak  branches.     Sweden. 

Sporangial  wall  very  thin,  membranaceous,  very  smooth,  but 
rugulose,  dehiscing  irregularly,  the  size  of  a  turnip-seed; 
capillitium  threads  very  slender,  almost  inconspicuous.  (Fries.) 

Physarum  antiades,  Fries.  D'<Urma 

Sporangia  globose,  smoky-brown,  marked  with  sinuous  lines ; 
stem  branched,  blackish,  sulcate ;  threads  and  spores  brown. 

Physarum  antiades,  Fr.,  Syst.  Myc.,  iii.,  p.  135 ;  Sacc.,  Syll., 
vii.,  1,  n.  1209. 


314          A  Monograph  of  the  Myxogastres. 

Sphaerocarpus  antiadcs,  Bull.,  Champ.,  p.  1 27,  t.  368. 

Trichia  antiadcs,  D.C.,  Fl.  Fr.,  2,  p.  252  ;  Chev.,  Par.,  p.  325. 

On  rotten  wood.     France. 

Stem  thick,  deformed,  several  confluent,  branched,  irregularly 
lacunose ;  hypothallus  membranaceous,  whitish ;  sporangia  de- 
hiscing by  irregular  rupture  towards  the  apex  from  which  the 
capillitium  protrudes.  (Fr.) 

Judging  from  Bulliard's  figure,  and  also  from  some  points  in 
the  description,  the  present  species  is  much  more  likely  to  be 
a  Cribraria  than  a  Physarum. 

Physarum  reticulatum,  Berl.  P.otvoN 

Sessile,  oblong  or  subdeformed,  aggregated,  externally  black 
or  greyish ;  sporangia  smoothish  but  elegantly  reticulated ; 
spores  black ;  threads  of  capillitium  whitish,  rare. 

Physarum  reticulatum,,  Berlese,  Sacc.,  Syll.,  vii.,  1,  n.  1210. 

Physarum  atrum)  Schweinitz,  Syn.,  Fung.  Amer.,  Bor.,  n. 
2297. 

On  bark.     Bethlehem ;  United  States. 

Allied  to  Physarum  cinereum,  but  larger.     (Sz.) 

Schweinitz's  specific  name  was  antedated  by  Persoon. 

Physarum  fimetarium,  Schum. 7. 

Sporangia  obovate,  pale  purple-umber;  stem  short,  sub- 
flexuose;  capillitium  and  spores  brown. 

Physarum  jimetarium,  Schum.,  Saell.,  ii.,  p.  205 ;  Fr.,  Syst. 
Myc.,  iii,  p.  138;  Sacc.,  Syll.,  vii.,  1,  n.  1214. 

On  cow-dung.     Scandinavia. 

Scattered ;  at  first  semi -liquid  and  white,  then  yellowish, 
piriform,  substipitate,  at  length  purple-umber;  sporangia  be- 
coming torn  at  the  apex ;  stem  subflexuous,  slightly  thickened 
upwards.  (Schum.) 

Physarum  hypnophilum,  Fr.  -7 

Subsessile ;  sporangia  rounded,  smooth,  bay-coloured ;  the 
very  delicate  threads  and  spores  black. 


Physarum.  315 

Physarum  hypnophilum,  Fries,  Stirpes  Femsj.,  p.  83 ;  Sacc., 
Syll.,  vii.,  1,  n.  1217. 

On  Hypnum  cupressiforme,  growing  on  damp  rocks.     Sweden. 

Scattered  or  gregarious,  hypothallus  not  persistent;  stem 
either  absent  or  very  short,  rather  thick,  subdecumbent,  coloured 
like  the  sporangium,  which  is  very  delicate,  subglobose  or 
attenuated  at  the  base,  the  size  of  a  turnip-seed,  bay,  rather 
shining,  dehiscing  by  the  irregularly  torn  apex  ;  rugulose  when 
old,  but  not  hyaline,  threads  very  slender,  black,  adnate  to  the 
wall  of  the  sporangium.  (Fries.) 

There  is  a  specimen  of  Lamproderma  physarmdes,  sessile  or 
nearly  so,  marked  "Physarum  hypnophilum,"'  by  Fries,  and 
judging  from  the  above  description,  Fries  had  probably  had  a 
Lamproderma  in  view ;  the  bay  colour  is  rather  against  this  idea, 
unless  the  coppery  tint  often  present  on  the  wall  was  intended. 

Physarum  atrum,  Fries. 

Closely  aggregated,  confluent,  black;  sporangia  very  thin, 
rounded ;  capillitium  threads  none ;  spores  black. 

Physarum  atrum,  Fr.,  Syst.  Myc.,  iii.,  p.  147  (not  of  Schweinitz); 
Sacc.,  Syll.,  vii.,  1,  n.  1221. 

Lycogala  atra,  Pers. 

On  dead  trunks. 

Sporangia  adnate  by  a  broad,  flat  base,  rounded,  connate 
from  the  centre  downwards,  often  densely  crowded  and  forming 
a  continuous  patch  2  mm.  broad ;  dehiscing  irregularly,  spores 
very  abundant.  (Fries.) 

Rostafinski  says  (Mon.,  p.  302),  that  the  present  species  is 
not  a  Myxogaster  but  an  Apiosporium,  probably  A.  imersum, 
but  he  had  not  examined  an  authentic  specimen  from  Fries, 
and  as  Fries'  description  of  the  present  species  does  not  agree 
at  all  with  the  genus  Apiosporium,  it  appears  at  best  doubtful 
as  to  whether  this  synonymy  is  correct. 

Physarum  pulcherripes,  Peck. 
Peridium  globose,  variable  in  colour,  ochraceous,  grey,  brown, 


316  A  Monograph  of  the  Myxoyastres. 

or   black ;   stem   slender,   equal,  or   slightly   tapering   upward, 
vermilion ;   spores  globose,  brown,  '00033  in.  in  diameter  (  = 
about  9  ft). 

Physarum  pulcherripes,  Peck,  26th  Report,  New  York  State 
Mus.,  p.  75 ;  Sacc.,  Syll.,  vii.,  1,  n.  1207  (as  P.  pulchripes). 

Rotten  wood.     Richmondville  and  Worcester. 

The  bright  colour  of  the  stem  is  quite  conspicuous,  notwith- 
standing the  small  size  of  the  plant. 

Physarum  polyaedron,  Sz.  1 

Gregarious  or  slightly  scattered ;  sporangia  rather  large, 
smoky-black,  dull,  subhemispherical,  exactly  pentagonal,  sides 
plane,  rugulose,  dehiscing  in  an  irregularly  stellate  manner, 
lower  portion  persistent;  spores  smoky-black,  mixed  with 
threads  of  a  similar  colour. 

Physai'um  polyaedron,  Schweinitz,  N.  Amer.  Fung.,  n.  2300, 
p.  257 ;  Sacc.,  Syll.,  vii.,  1,  1224. 

On  very  old  walnut  trunk.     Bethlehem ;  United  States. 

Schweinitz  says  the  present  species  resembles  some  minute 
sea-anemone. 

BADHAMIA,  Berk,  (emended). 

Sporangia  stipitate  or  sessile,  wall  single,  dehiscing  by  the 
irregular  rupture  of  the  upper  portion ;  threads  of  the  capillitium 
springing  from  all  parts  of  the  sporangial  wall,  combined  to 
form  an  irregular  network,  usually  thick,  and  containing  granules 
of  lime  throughout  their  length ;  columella  absent ;  spores 
originating  in  clusters  or  free  from  the  first,  globose  or  elliptical. 

Badhamia,  Berk.,  Linn.  Trans.,  xxi.,  p.  153;  Berk.,  Outl., 
p.  303;  Cooke,  Hdbk.,  p.  391 ;  Cooke,  Myx.  Brit.,  p.  25;  Rost., 
Hon.,  p.  139 ;  Sacc.,  Syll.,  vii.,  p.  329 ;  Zopf,  p.  147. 

The  genus,  as  founded  by  Berkeley,  was  characterized  by  the 
clustered  spores,  a  feature  now  well  known  to  be  far  from 
constant,  even  in  the  same  species ;  Berkeley  further  considered 
that  the  clusters  of  spores  originated  in  hyaline  cysts  or  mother- 
cells  ;  this  has  not  been  corroborated.  The  genera  included  in 


Badhamia.  '317 

the  Physarae  are  very  closely  allied,  in  fact  so  much  so,  that 
only  the  most  typical  species  can  be  recognized  from  the  features 
usually  considered  characteristic  of  each,  numerous  transitional 
species  connecting  the  genera  at  various  points.  The  most 
pronounced  character  of  Badhamia,  as  defined  above,  is  the 
thick  capillitium  threads  which  contain  lime  in  the  form  of 
small  granules  throughout  their  entire  length,  and  not  con- 
centrated in  large  nodes  separated  by  thinner  portions  without 
lime,  as  in  the  genus  Physarum.  Very  closely  allied  to  Craterium. 
For  distinguishing  features  see  note  following  last-named  genus. 
Distrib.  Europe ;  N.  America.  Species,  18. 

§  Spores  equally  warted  all  over. 
Badhamia  macrocarpa,  Rost.  (figs.  79 — 81  and  294 — 297). 

•  Sporangia  gregarious  or  scattered,  stipitate  or  sessile,  spring- 
ing from  a  slender  hypothallus,  subglobose,  grey,  base  dirty 
brownish-yellow,  this  colour  usually  continuing  upwards  in  a  vein- 
like  manner,  upper  part  of  sporangium  with  vein-like  patches 
of  white  lime,  wall  thin,  stem  when  present  variable  in  length, 
rather  stout,  brownish-yellow,  or  pale,  rugulose ;  capillitium 
dense,  knots  numerous  with  scattered  granules  of  lime ;  spores 
free,  globose,  eqvially  warted  all  over,  the  warts  sometimes  show 
a  tendency  to  become  elongated,  brownish-purple,  10 — 15  /A 
diameter. 

Badhamia  macrocarpa,  Rost.,  Mon.,  p.  143,  figs.  118,  120,  121 ; 
Cooke,  Brit.  Myx.,  figs.  118,  120,  121 ;  Sacc.,  Syll.,  n.  1144. 

Physarum  macrocarpon,  Ces.,  in  Rab.  Fung.  Eur.,  n.  1968; 
Flora,  1855,  p.  271. 

Exsicc. — Rab.  Fung.  Eur.,  n.  1968;  Syd.  Myc.  March.,  n.  1600 
(stipitate  form  as  Physarum  leucophaeum}. 

On  decaying  fungi,  bark,  &c.  Britain  (Lyndhurst,  East 
Bergholt,  Glamis,  Aboyne,  N.  B.,  Kensington  Gardens) ;  France ; 
Germany;  Italy;  Poland. 

Plasmodium  yellow.  Sporangia  up  to  1'5  mm.  diameter, 
either  crowded  and  sessile  on  a  broad  base,  or  with  a  stem  equal 
to  or  longer  than  the  sporangium.  The  yellowish  colour  at 


318  A  Monograph  of  the  Myxogastres. 

base  of  sporangium  shows  inside  when  the  spores  are  blown 
away.  For  distinguishing  characters  from  B.  panicea,  see  under 
that  species. 

(Rostafinski's  Synonym.) 

Physarum  macrocarpon,  Caes.,  Rab.  Fung.  Eur.,  n.  1968;  Cfr. 
Flora,  1885,  p.  271  (1855). 

Badhamia  panicea,  Rost.  (figs.  74 — 76). 

Sporangia  gregarious  on  a  thin  hypothallus,  sessile  on  a 
broad  or  narrow  base,  globose  or  irregularly  angular  from  mutual 
pressure,  wall  thin,  often  iridescent,  studded  all  over  with  innate, 
detached,  irregular  patches  of  lime,  the  whole  with  a  grey  tint ; 
capillitium  very  dense,  snow-white,  knots  large,  branched,  con- 
nected by  thick  bands,  every  part  densely  filled  with  granules 
of  lime;  spores  free,  or  with  an  indication  of  being  originally 
in  clusters,  globose,  very  minutely  verruculose,  dull  violet,  or 
brownish-purple,  9 — 12  /ut  diameter. 

Badhamia  panicea,  Rost.,  Mou.,  p.  144,  f.  114  and  116 ;  Cooke, 
Myx.  Brit.,  f.  114  and  116 :  Sacc.,  Syll.,  n.  1141. 

Physarum  paniceum,  Fr.,  S.  M.,  iii.,  p.  141. 

Exsicc. — Fckl.,  Fung.  Rhen.,  2499  (as  Didymium  cinereum)\ 
Desm.,  Or.  Fr.,  272. 

On  leaves,  twigs,  bark,  &c.  Britain  (Hitchin,  Blackheath, 
Dunton  Green,  Bungay,  Kew) ;  France ;  Germany ;  Sweden. 

Plasmodium  white.  Sporangia  up  to  1  mm.  diameter,  gener- 
ally crowded  and  forming  dense  pale  grey  patches.  Closely  re- 
sembling superficially  Badhamia  macrocarpa,  but  distinguished 
by  the  coarser  capillitium  having  every  part  crowded  with  lime, 
the  much  smaller  warts  on  the  epispore,  and  the  absence  of 
rugulose  veins  on  the  sporangial  wall. 

(Rostafinski's  Synonyms.) 

Mucilago,  n.  8,  Mich.,  Nov.  Gen.,  p.  216,  t.  96,  f.  8  (?)  (1729). 

Physarum  paniceum,  Fr.,  I.e.,  141  (1829). 

Rctwidaria  Schintzii,  Debey,  l.c.,  p.  1,  t.  2,  f.  1—3  (1847). 


Badhamia,  319 


Badhamia  varia,  Mass. 

Sporangia  more  or  less  aggregated,  sessile  or  stipitate,  globose 
or  obovate,  grey  and  opaque,  or  shining  with  metallic  tints; 
stem  when  present  generally  weak  and  decumbent,  several  often 
more  or  less  grown  together,  pale  yellow  or  reddish,  springing 
from  a  well  developed  hypothallus  of  the  same  colour;  capil- 
litium  variable,  well  developed,  knots  large  or  not  very  evident ; 
spores  in  clusters  or  free  from  the  first,  globose,  minutely  warted 
all  over,  dingy  lilac-brown,  9 — 12  p  diameter. 

Badhamia  hyalina,  Berk.,  Linn.  Trans.,  xxi.,  t.  19,  f.  3;  Host., 
Hon.,  p.  140,  fig.  113;  Cooke,  Myx.  Brit.,  p.  25,  f.  113;  Sacc., 
Syll.,  vii.,  n.  1150. 

Exsicc.—  Eoum.,  Fung.  Gall.,  43 ;  Fuckel,  Fung.  Rhen.,  2689. 

Badhamia  capsulifera,  Berk.,  Linn.  Trans.,  xxi.,  p.  153 ; 
Host.,  Mon.,  p.  141 ;  Cooke,  Myx.  Brit.,  p.  26 ;  Sacc.,  Syll.,  vii., 
n.  1151. 

Badhamia  utricularis,  Berk.,  Linn.  Trans.,  xxi.,  p.  153;  Sacc., 
Syll.,  vii.,  n.  1149. 

Badham'ia  magna,  Peck,  and  Dictydium  magnum,  Peck,  31st 
Report,  N.  Y.  Mus.,  p.  56. 

On  wood,  moss,  &c.  Britain  (Batheaston,  Kew,  East  Berg- 
holt,  Scarboro',  Carlisle,  Glamis,  N.  B.) ;  France ;  Germany ; 
Sweden;  Belgium;  Italy;  United  States;  Ceylon;  W.Australia; 
Tasmania. 

The  examination  of  a  large  series  of  the  three  species  given 
as  synonyms  above,  shows  every  shade  of  transition  from  one 
to  another.  When  sessile  the  sporangia  are  globose  or  irregular 
from  mutual  pressure;  when  stipitate,  usually  more  or  less 
obovate  or  irregular.  The  amount  of  lime  present  on  the  wall 
varies  considerably ;  when  abundant,  the  surface  is  usually  grey 
and  opaque ;  when  scanty,  iridescent.  The  clustered  stems  are 
usually  very  slender  and  decumbent,  and  the  clusters  of  spor- 
angia are  sometimes  pendulous.  The  capillitium  is  snow-white. 
The  distinctive  features  of  the  species  as  defined  above  are  the 
globose  spores  warted  all  over,  and  the  smooth  wall  of  the 


320          A  Monograph  of  the  Myxogastres. 

sporangium,  not  rugulose  as  in  B.  macrocarpa,  or  with  white, 
superficial  patches  of  lime  as  in  B.  panicea. 

(Rostafinski's  Synonyms.) 

(Badhamia  hyalina.) 
Physarum  Jiyalinum,  Pers.,  Disp.,  t.  2,  f.  4,  (1797) ;  Eng.  Flor., 

v.,  p.  315;  Ann.  Nat.  Hist.,  n.  213. 
Physarum  membranaceum,  Schum.,  Herb. 
Physarum  globuliferum,  DC.,  in  Herb. 
Physarum  Jiyalinum,  a.  albidum,  A.  and  S.,  256  (1805). 
Physarum  cinereum,  Link,  Diss.,  i.,  27  (1809). 
Physarum  botryoides,  a.  hyalinum,  Fr.,  Stirp.,  p.  83  (1825). 
Physarum  botrytis,  Somm.  (1826). 
Physarum  gracile,  Weinm.,  Herb. 
Physarum  cancellatum,  Wallr.,  Fl.  Germ.,  2128  (1833). 
Diderma  papaverinum,  Wallr.,  Fl.  Germ.,  2210  (1833). 
Badhamia  hyalina,  Berk.,  Linn.  Trans.,  xxi.,  t.  19,  f.  3  (1851), 

Cooke,  Hdbk.,  n.  1143. 
Physarum  gracikntum,  Fckl.,  Sym.,  342  (1869),  non  Fries. 

(Badhamm  capsulifera.) 

Sphaerocarpus  capsulifer,  Bull,  t,  470,  f.  2  (1791). 
Trichia  capillifera,  DC.,  Fl.  Fr.,  684  (1805). 
Physarum  eapsuliferum,  Chev.,  Fl.  Fr.,  i.,  339  (1826). 
Badhamia    capsuliferum,   Berk.,   Linn.   Trans.,   xxi.,   p.    153 

(1851);  B.  and  Br.,  Ann.  Nat.  Hist.,  n.  1595;  Grevillea, 

vol.  v.,  p.  12  (not  Cooke). 

(Badhamia  utricularis.') 

Sphaerocarpus  utricularis,  Bull,  t.  417,  f.  1  (1791). 

Physarum  ovoideum,  Schum.,  Saell.,  1425  (1803). 

Trichia  utricularis,  DC.,  Fl.  Fr.,  676  (1805). 

Physarum  hyalinum,  /3.  chalybeum,  A.  and  S.,  n.  256  (1805). 

Physarum  botryoides,  /3.  chalybeus,  Fr.,  Stirp.,  p.  83  (1825). 

Physarum  utriculare,  Chev.,  Fl.  Par.,  i.,  337  (1826);  Berk., 

Ann.  Nat.  Hist.,  214. 
Physarum  caerulcsccns,  Pers.  in  Litt. 
Physarum  ahitaceum,  Wallr.,  Herb. 


Badhamia.  321 

Badhamia  utricularis,  Berk.,  Linn.  Trans.,  xxi.,  p.  153  (1801); 

Cooke,  Hdbk.,  n.  1147. 
Physarum  melaleucum,  Nyl.,  p.  126  (1859). 


Badhamia  granulifera,  Phill.  Lepi<i 

Gregarious,  but  not  crowded,  sessile  on  a  broad  base,  hemi- 
spherical or  slightly  elongated,  subdepressed,  wall  thick,  with 
crowded,  large,  flattened,  glistening,  pale  brown  scales  of  bicar- 
bonate of  lime  ;  inner  wall  very  thin,  iridescent  ;  splitting  irregu- 
larly above;  mass  of  spores  blackish-purple;  columella  shortly 
cylindrical  or  subglolose  ;  capillitium  copious,  forming  an  irregular 
network,  passing  from  the  columella  to  the  inner  wall,  threads 
with  numerous,  irregular  flattened  inflations  containing  minute 
granules  of  lime  ;  spores  at  first  in  clusters  ;  spherical  when  free, 
with  a  small  circular  portion  of  the  wall  thinner  and  convex, 
minutely  warted  all  over,  18  —  20  /A  diameter. 

Badhamia  gramdifera,  Phillips,  in  Herb. 

Didymium  granuliferum,  Phill.,  Grev.,  vol.  v.,  p.  114,  t.  88, 
f.  1,  a—  /;  Sacc.,  Syll.,  vii,  1,  n.  1316. 

(Type  in  Herb.,  Phill.) 

On  herbaceous  stems.     San  Francisco. 

A  very  beautiful  and  remarkable  species,  externally  resembling 
a  Lepidoderma  in  the  large,  distinct,  scale-like  patches  of  bicar- 
bonate of  lime.  Sporangia  circular  or  elongated,  slightly  de- 
pressed, 2  —  3  mm.  long. 

Badhamia  Fuckeliana,  Host.  TVi  tW^fW  *  ?» 

Sporangia  discoid,  1  mm.  broad,  stipitate,  frequently  umbili- 
cate  above  or  below  ;  stem  even,  elongated,  coloured  ;  spores 
blackish-violet;  epispore  delicately  spinulose,  9  —  12  ^  diameter. 

a.  genuina.     Sporangia  1  mm.  diameter,  stem  1  mm.  long. 

fB.  gracilis.  Sporangia  *5  mm.  diameter,  stem  1  —  1'5  mm. 
long. 

Badhamia  Fuckeliana,  Host.,  Mon.  App.,  p.  2;  Sacc.,  Syll., 
vii.,  1,  n.  1148. 

Trichamphora  Fuckeliana,  Host.,  Mon.,  p.  138. 


322  A  Monograph  of  the  Myxogastres. 

On  wood  and  decaying  Auricularia.  Germany  ;  France  ; 
Sweden. 

(Rostafinski's  Synonyms.) 

Physarum  macrocarpum,  Fckl.,  Sym.  Myc.,  p.  343,  non  Cesati 

(1869). 
Tridiamphora  Fuckelianum,  Host.,  in  Fckl.,  S.  M.,  2,  Nach., 

p.  74  (1873). 

A  specimen  named  by  Rostafinski  in  Herb.,  Berk,  has  the 
superficial  appearance  of  a  Tilmadoche  ;  a  slender,  elongated, 
wrinkled,  bright  brown  stem,  and  grey  sporangial  wall. 


Badhamia  nodulosa,  Mass.  Vl»y  &<*.«•<»**  >p\»v  uu»\ 

Sporangia  globose,  stipitate,  wall  very  thin,  almost  colourless 
above,  and  covered  with  an  irregular  white  crust  of  lime,  basal 
portion  without  lime  and  beautifully  iridescent;  becoming 
irregularly  ruptured  at  maturity;  stem  longer  than  sporangium, 
weak,  often  subdecumbent,  attenuated  upwards,  brmvn,  longi- 
tudinally wrinkled,  expanding  at  the  base  into  a  small,  irregular 
hypothallus;  columella  absent;  capillitium  well  developed, 
flattened,  intricately  branching  from  the  nodes,  scantily  furnished 
throughout  with  granules  of  lime;  spores  globose,  dingy  lilac, 
minutely  verruculose,  10  —  12  /*  diameter. 

Badhamia  nodulosa,  Mass.,  Journ.  Myc.,  vol.  v.,  p.  186, 
t.  14,  f.  6. 

Physarum  nodulosum,  Cooke  and  Balf.,  in  Rav.,  Fung.  Amer., 
Exs.,  n.  479. 

On  acacia  bark.     Aiken,  S.  Carolina  (Rav.,  2972). 
(Type  in  Herb.,  Kew.) 

A  very  distinct  and  good  species  of  the  genus  Badhamia, 
1'5  mm.  high  ;  stem  twice  as  long  as  sporangium,  weak,  usually 
subprostrate  ;  capillitium  dense,  with  the  characteristic  flatten- 
ings  met  with  in  Badhamia,  and  everywhere  containing  granules 
of  lime,  although  the  quantity  is  not  so  great  as  is  usual. 
Sparsely  scattered,  rarely  two  springing  from  the  same  hypo- 
thallus. 


Badhamia.  323 

Badhamia  irregularis,  C.  and  E. 

Scattered,  sessile;  sporangia  suborbicular  or  confluent,  at 
length  blackish-brown;  spores  brown,  globose,  asperulate,  10  /^ 
diameter. 

Badhamia  irregularis,  Cooke  and  Ellis. 

On  pine  wood.     N.  America. 

I  have  seen  no  specimen  of  the  present  imperfectly  described 
species. 

§  §  Spores  in  clusters,  free,  surface  warted,  reminder  smooth. 

Badhamia  papaveracea,  Berk,  and  Rav. 

Sporangia  usually  densely  gregarious,  with  a  few  scattered 
marginal  individuals,  hemispherical  or  irregularly  polygonal 
from  mutual  pressure,  sessile,  or  with  a  rudimentary  stem,  wall 
smooth  or  rugulose,  white,  greyish,  or  yellowish,  iridescent  when 
empty ;  capillitium  usually  dense,  white,  threads  with  large 
nodular  or  interstitial  swellings  containing  lime,  combined  to 
form  an  irregular  network ;  mass  of  spores  blackish-purple,  spores 
at  first  in  clusters  of  3 — 7,  triangularly  pyramidal,  with  a 
rounded  base  which  corresponds  to  the  free  portion  of  the  spore, 
and  is  covered  with  minute  warts,  the  remainder  smooth,  pale 
lilac  or  brownish-lilac,  9 — 10  /x  diameter. 

Badhamia  papaveracea,  Berk,  and  Rav.,  Grev.,  vol.  ii.,  p.  66 
(1873) ;  Rost.,  Mon.,  p.  147 ;  Sacc.,  Syll.,  vii.,  1,  n.  1152. 
(Type  in  Herb.  Berk.,  Kew,  n.  10794.) 

Badhamia  pallida,  Berk.,  Linn.  Trans.,  xxi.,  p.  153,  t.  19,  f.  2; 
Sacc.,  Syll.,  n.  1153  (in  part.). 

(Type  in  Herb.  Berk.,  10790.) 

Exsicc. — Ellis,  N.  Amer.  Fung.,  1214  (as  Badhamia  hyalina, 
p.  320). 

On  wood,  &c.    Britain  (East  Bergholt,  Weybridge) ;  U.  States. 

Allied  to  B.  nitens,  which  differs  in  the  bright  yellow  spor- 
angial  wall,  and  the  much  more  coarsely  warted  free  portion  of 
the  spores. 


324  A  Monograph  of  the  Myxogastres. 

Badhamia  nitens,  Berk.  (figs.  176—179). 

Sporangia  globose,  sessile,  aggregated,  bright  yellow,  covered 
with  minute,  scale-like  particles  of  lime;  splitting  irregularly 
above;  capillitium  well  developed,  threads  thick,  yellowish, 
lime  almost  obsolete.;  spores  purple,  aggregated  in  clusters,  free 
portion  coarsely  warted,  remainder  smooth,  10 — 16  ju  diameter. 

Badhamia  nitens,  Berk.,  Trans.  Linn.  Soc.,  xxi.,  p.  153,  t.  19, 
f.  1 ;  Host.,  Mon.  App.,  p.  27  (in  part.). 

(Type  in  Herb.  Berk.) 

Badhamia  inaurata,  Currey,  Linn.  Trans.,  xxiv.  (1851),  t.  25, 
f.  8 ;  Cooke,  Myx.  Brit.,  p.  28 ;  Sacc.,  Syll.,  vii.,  n.  1162. 
(Type  in  Brit.  Mus.) 

On  moss,  wood,  &c.  Britain  (Carlisle,  East  Bergholt,  Wey- 
bridge). 

Readily  distinguished  by  the  bright  yellow  sporangia  and  the 
clustered  spores. 

§  §  §  Spores  smooth. 
Badhamia  Alexandrowiczii,  Host. 

Sporangia  gregarious  but  distant,  irregular,  subrotund  or  reni- 
form,  about  07  mm.  broad,  07 — 2  mm.  long,  bright  yellow-brown 
or  pallid ;  capillitium  well  developed,  tubes  thick,  nodes  35  ft, 
broad  ;  spores  9 — 11  p.  diameter,  obscure  violet,  smooth. 

Badhamia  Alexandrowiczii,  Host.,  Mon.,  p.  146 ;  Sacc.,  Syll., 
vii.,  1,  n.  1154. 

On  dead  leaves.     Poland ;  Germany. 

Sporangial  wall  thick,  rufous-brown,  dehiscing  in  a  circum- 
scissile  manner  by  an  operculum.  (Berlese  in  Sacc.,  Syll.) 

(Rostafinski's  Synonym.) 

Physarum  Alexandrowiczii,  De  Bary  and  Rost.,  in  Litt.,  Ad. 
Alexand.,  I.e.,  p.  88  (1872). 

Badhamia  verna,  Rost. 

Sporangia  gregarious,  depressed,  variable  in  form,  confluent, 
not  sinuous,  wall  very  thin,  blackish-brown,  smooth,  very  fragile, 


. 

Badhamia.  325 

becoming  lacerated  during  dehiscence,  at  length  evanescent; 
threads  of  capillitium  adnate,  vague,  white;  spores  Uackish- 
brown,  12 — 13  /*  diameter,  smooth. 

Badhamia  vema,  Rost.,  Mon.,  p.  145 ;  Sacc.,  Syll.,  vii.,  1,  n. 
331. 

(Rostafinski's  Synonym.) 

Physarum  vernum,  Somf.,  in  Litt.,  Ad.  Fries,  S.  M.,  iii.,  p.  146 
(1829). 

Badhamia  microcarpa,  Schroeter. 

Sporangia  sessile,  about  '5  mm.  broad,  collepted  in  small 
clusters  or  arranged  in  rows ;  hypothallus  nearly  obsolete ;  spor- 
angial  wall  thin,  bright  grey ;  capillitium  slender,  white,  threads 
irregularly  nodulose  with  masses  of  lime,  from  3 — 4  up  to  12  ju 
thick,  nodes  not  incrassated ;  spores  not  clustered,  7'5  — 9  fx 
diameter,  smooth,  violet. 

Badhamia  microcarpa,  Schroeter,  Kr.  Fl.  Schles.,  p.  131 ; 
Sacc.,  Syll.,  n.  1145. 

Badhamia  melanospora,  Speg. 

Sporangia  sessile,  densely  gregarious,  spherical,  smooth,  greyish- 
white,  after  the  spores  have  disappeared,  snow-white ;  columella 
absent;  tubes  of  capillitium  rigid,  united  to  form  a  compact 
network,  internodes  fusiformly  thickened  in  the  centre,  nodes  flat- 
tened;  spores  in  clusters  or  free,  smooth,  black,  opaque,  sub- 
angular  from  mutual  pressure,  15  /u  diameter. 

Badhamia  mclanosperma,  Speg.,  Fung.  Arg.,  Pug.  I.,  p.  88 ; 
Sacc.,  Syll.,  n.  1164. 

On  rotten  trunks.     Argentina. 

Badhamia  coadnata,  Rost. 

Sporangia  very  numerous,  conglomerated;  sporangia  spring- 
ing from  a  white,  well-developed  hypothallus ;  capillitium  threads 
snow-white,  copious,  rigid,  aggregated  in  the  centre  towards  the 
base  of  the  sporangium  to  form  an  irregular  columella ;  spores 
globose,  bright  violet,  epispore  thick,  smooth,  8 — 9  p  diameter. 


326  A  Monograph  of  the  Myxogastres. 

Badhamia  coadnata,  Kost.,  Mon.,  p.  146 ;  Sacc.,  Syll.,  vii.,  1, 
n.  1142. 

(Rostafinski's  Synonym.) 
Didymium  crustaceum,  M. 

Badhamia  fasciculata,  Kost.  1 

Sporangia  globose,  white,  dehiscing  irregularly,  upper  portion 
disappearing,  lower  portion  persistent,  irregularly  cupulate  with 
a  torn  margin;  stems  fasciculate,  caespitoso-connate,  3 — 6  or  more, 
connected  at  the  base,  erect,  tough,  dirty  yellowish,  shining, 
attenuated  upwards,  subsulcate,  base  thickened,  blackish ;  spores 
violet,  11 — 12  fx.  diameter,  smooth. 

Badhamia  fasciculata,  Host.,  Mon.,  p.  146;  Sacc.,  Syll.,  vii.,  1, 
n.  1143. 

On  trunks  of  Pandanus.     Java. 

(Rostafinski's  Synonym.) 

Physarum  fasciculatum,  Jungh.,  Fl.  Crypt,  Java,  p.  14,  t.  11, 
f.  8  (1838). 

Badhamia  ovispora,  Racib. 

Sporangia  sessile,  globoso-depressed,  0'5 — 075  mm.  broad, 
membrane  calcareous,  scabrid,  fragile,  base  yellow,  apex  dis- 
coloured ;  capillitium  with  abundance  of  lime,  white,  rigid, 
nodes  large,  irregular ;  columella  absent ;  spores  violet,  ellipsoid, 
smooth,  14 — 16  x  7 — 8  p. 

Badhamia  ovispora,  Racib.,  Myx.  Crac.,  p.  4,  f.  2,  a,  b;  Sacc., 
Syll.,  1165. 

On  poplar  branches.     Poland. 

§  §  §  §  Position  uncertain. 

Badhamia  fulvella,  Berk.   6.»\.\c»i&  ^ 

Sporangia  gregarious,  but  not  forming  distinct  patches,  sessile, 
globose,  blackish,  invested  with  a  delicate  tawny  pubescence, 
when  the  spores  are  expelled,  yellowish ;  capillitium  not  coloured, 


Tilmadoche.  '327 

tubes  swollen ;  spores  dark  violet,  agglutinated  in  clusters, 
•0125— '018  mm. 

Badhamia  fulvella,  Berk.,  Trans.  Linn.  Soc.,  xxi.,  p.  154; 
Cooke,  Myx.  Brit.,  p.  27;  Sacc.,  Syll.,  vii.,  1,  n.  1166. 

On  dead  wood.     Britain  (East  Bergholt,  Suffolk). 

I  have  seen  no  specimen  of  the  present,  hence  cannot  add  to 
Berkeley's  description. 

TILMADOCHE,   Rost. 

Sporangia  stipitate,  wall  thin,  single,  with  a  thin  deposit  of 
lime  in  the  form  of  minute,  irregular  lumps,  either  continuous 
or  most  frequently  in  patches,  dehiscing  in  an  irregularly 
reticulate  manner ;  stem  elongated,  slender,  rilled  with  irregular 
particles  of  lime,  becoming  longitudinally  wrinkled  when  dry; 
columella  absent;  capillitium  well  developed,  threads  slender, 
attached  to  the  wall  at  various  points,  combined  to  form  an 
irregular  network,  nodes  small,  scattered,  mostly  elliptical,  filled 
with  granules  of  lime. 

Tilmadoche,  Rost,  Mon.,  p.  126;  Cooke,  Myx.  Brit,  p.  21; 
Sacc.,  Syll.,  vii.,  1,  p.  359  ;  Zopf,  p.  148. 

The  present  genus  is  characterized  amongst  its  allies  by  the 
thin  sporangial  wall  furnished  with  a  scanty  deposit  of  lime 
in  the  form  of  minute,  amorphous  granules,  the  slender  threads 
of  the  capillitium  with  small,  sparingly  scattered  elliptical  nodes 
containing  lime,  and  the  elongated,  slender  stem  filled  with 
lumps  of  lime.  Closely  allied  to  the  genus  Physarmn,  with 
which  it  is  connected  by  a  form  of  Tilmadoche  nutans,  having 
the  capillitium  threads  stouter,  and  the  nodes  larger  and  more 
numerous  than  usual.  Another  form  of  the  same  species  having 
the  capillitium  very  slender  and  without  nodes  connects  with 
the  Hemididymium  section  of  Didymium. 

Tilmadoche  nutans,  Rost.  (figs.  19 — 21). 

Sporangia  spherico-depressed,  more  or  less  umbilicate  below, 
wall  thin,  greyish  or  white,  with  a  thin  layer  of  minute,  amor- 
phous lumps  of  lime,  becoming  irregularly  cracked ;  stem  slender, 


328  A  Monograph  of  the  Myxogastres. 

elongated,  becoming  thinner  upwards,  usually  slightly  curved 
at  the  apex,  filled  with  irregular  masses  of  lime,  Irownish  below, 
2>ale  upwards,  expanding  into  a  small  hypothallus;  capillitium 
well  developed,  threads  thin,  combined  to  form  a  very  irregular 
network,  furnished  with  scattered,  small,  elliptical  nodes  contain- 
ing granules  of  lime ;  spores  globose,  pale  lilac,  smooth,  or  very 
minutely  verruculose,  9 — 11  p  diameter. 

Tilmadoche  nutans,  Rost.,  Mon.,  p.  127,  f.  129  ;  Cooke,  Myx. 
Brit.,  p.  21,  f.  129;  Sacc.,  Syll.,  vii.,  1,  n.  1244;  Raunk.,  p.  76, 
t.  4,  f.  10—11. 

Exsicc. — Rab.,  Fung.  Eur.,  40  (the  specimen  shows  a  transition 
to  Physarum  leuc^Jiaeuni) ;  Sacc.,  Myc.  Fenn.,  1102;  Syd.,  Myc. 
March.,  491;  Fuckel,  Fung.  Rhen.,  1456  and  1457;  Jack, 
Leiner  u.  Sitzenb.,  423. 

On  wood,  bark,  dead  leaves,  &c.  Britain  (Bournemouth,  New 
Forest,  Kew,  Chester,  Scarboro',  Carlisle,  Inverness,  N.B.) ; 
Europe ;  N.  Africa ;  United  States ;  Ceylon  ;  Australia  ;  India. 

From  1*5 — 2'5  mm.  high,  gregarious,  stem  slender,  usually 
slightly  bent  at  the  apex,  consequently  the  sporangium  is  more 
or  less  drooping. 

(Rostafin ski's  Synonyms.) 

Spliaerocarpus  allnis,  Bull.,  t.  407,  f.  3,  c — g  (1791). 

Stemonitis  alba,  Gmel.  Sys.,  1469  (1791). 

Mucor  alines,  Sobolen.  Petr.,  324  (1779). 

Physarum  nutans,  Pers.,  Syn.,  p.  171  (1801 ;  Berk.,  Eng.  Fl., 

v.,  314;  Cooke,  Hdbk.,  n.  1135  (partly). 
Physarum  subtile,  Pers.,  Syn.,  p.  171  (1801). 
Trichia  cemua,  Schum.,  Saell.,  1410  (1803). 
Physarum  bulbiforme,  Schum.,  Saell.,  1432  (1803) ;  Fl.  Dan., 

t.  1974,  f.  3. 

Physarum  marginatum,  Schum.,  Saell.,  1440  (1803). 
Physarum  didymium,  Schum.,  Saell.,  1441  (1803). 
Physarum  albopunctatuin,  Schum.,  Saell,  1433  (1803). 
Physarum  brc^^es,  Schum.,  Herb. 
Physarum  cinereum,  Schum.,  Herb. 


Tilwadoche.  329 

Physarum  leucopus,  Schura.,  Herb. 
Trichia  alba,  DC.,  Fl.  Fr.,  ii.,  202  (1805). 
Physarum  albipes,  Link,  Diss.,  i.,  27  (1809). 
Physarum  sulcatum,  Liuk,  Diss.,  i.,  27  (1809). 
Physarum  connectum,  Ditni.,  t.  41  (1817). 
Physarum  cermium,  Fl.  Dan.,  t.  1974,  f.  2  (1823). 
Physarum  nutans,  a.  albocinereum,  Fr.,  S.  M.,  iii.,  128  (1829). 
Didymium  marginatum,  Fr.,  S.  M.,  iii.,  116  (1829). 
TUmadoche  cernua,  Fr.,  S.  V.  S.,  454  (1849). 

Tilmadoche  mutabilis,  Host.  (figs.  236—239). 

Sporangia  spherical  or  spherico-depressed,  flattened  cr  slightly 
umbilicate  below,  wall  thin,  with  a  thin  layer  of  yellow^  dingy 
orange,  or  greenish  coloured  particles  of  lime,  usually  cracking  in 
an  areolate  manner;  stem  elongated,  slender,  slightly  thinner 
upwards,  straight  or  usually  a  little  curved  at  the  apex,  filled 
with  granules  of  lime,  yellow,  brownish-orange,  or  red,  darkest 
below;  capillitium  rather  dense,  threads  slender,  combined  to 
form  a  very  irregular  network,  with  scattered,  small,  elliptical 
nodes  containing  coloured  granules  of  lime  ;  spores  globose,  pale 
lilac,  often  with  a  brown  tinge,  minutely  verruculose,  9 — 11  //, 
diameter. 

TUmadoche  mutabilis,  Host.,  Mon.,  p.  130,  figs.  123—127, 132; 
Cooke,  Myx.  Brit.,  p.  22,  figs.  123—127,  132;  Raunk.,  Myx. 
Dan.,  p.  77. 

TUmadoche  viridis,  Sacc.,  Syll.,  vii.,  1,  n.  1247, 

Exsicc—  Ellis,  N.  Amer.  Fung.,  1213. 

On  wood,  bark,  dead  leaves,  moss,  &c.  .  Britain  (New  Forest, 
Epping  Forest,  Bulmer,  Yorks. ;  Carlisle);  Europe;  S.  Africa; 
W.  Australia  ;  United  States. 

Differing  from  TUmadoche  nutans  in  colour  more  than  in  any 
other  character. 

(Rostafinski's  Synonyms.) 

Stemonitis  viridis,  Gmel.,  Sys.,  ii.,  1469  (1791). 
Stemonitis  aurantia,  Gmel.,  Sys.,  ii.,  1469  (1791). 


330          A  Monograph  of  the  Myxogastres. 

Stemonitis  bicolor,  Gmel.,  Sys.,  ii.,  1469  (1791). 
Sphaerocarpus  luteus,  Bull.,  t.  407,  f.  2  (1797). 
Sphaerocarpus  viridis,  Bull.,  t.  407,  f.  1  (1797). 
Sphaerocarpus  aurantius,  Bull.,  t.  484,  f.  2  (1797). 
Physarum  aureum,  Pers.,  Disp.,  t.  1,  f.  6  (1801) ;   Grev.,  t. 

124;  Ditm.,  t.  23. 
Physarum  viride,  Pers.,   Syn.,  p.  172  (1801);  Ditm.,  t.  24; 

Nees.,  f.  108. 

Physarum  aurantium,  Pers.,  Syn.,  t.  3,  f.  7  (1801). 
Physarum  luteum,  Pers.,  Syn.,  172  (1801). 
Trichia  viridis,  DC.,  Fl.  Fr.,  ii.,  252  (1805). 
Trichia  aurantia,  DC.,  Fl.  Fr.,  ii.,  253  (1805). 
Physarum  nutans,  (3.  viride,  Fr.,  S.  M.,  iii.,  129  (1829) ;  Cooke, 

Hdbk.,  n.  1135,  var.  B. 
Physarum  nutans,  y.  aureum,  Fr.,  S.  M.,  iii.,   129;   Cooke, 

Hdbk.,  n.  1135,  var.  y. 

Physarum  nutans,  b.  coccineum,  Fr.,  S.  M.,  iii.,  129. 
Physarum  striatum,  c.  aurantiacum,  Fr.,  S.  M.,  iii.,  131. 
Physarum  nutans,  c.  luteovirens,  Rabh.,  Fl.  Cr.,  2268  (1844). 
Physarum  viride,  Fr.,  S.  V.  S.,  453  (1849). 
Physarum  aureum,  Fr.,  S.  V.  S.,  453  (1849). 
Physarum  coccineum,  Fr.,  S.  V.  S.,  453  (1849). 

Tilmadoche  gracilenta,  Host. 

Sporangia  globose,  slightly  umbilicate  below,  wall  llackish- 
brmvn,  hoary  with  scattered  particles  of  lime ;  stem  elongated, 
thick  at  the  base,  which  is  expanded  into  a  small  hypothallus, 
tapering  upwards  and  usually  slightly  curved,  dark  brown  below, 
paler  above,  longitudinally  wrinkled,  filled  with  particles  of 
lime ;  capillitium  rather  scanty,  threads  irregularly  anastomos- 
ing, nodes  scattered,  small,  elliptical,  containing  coloured  granules 
of  lime  ;  spores  globose,  brownish-lilac,  very  minutely  verruculose 
or  smooth,  8 — 10  /x  diameter. 

Tilmadoche  gracilenta,  Host.,  Mon.,  p.  129;  Sacc.,  Syll.,  vii.,  1, 
n.  1246;  Raunk.,  Myx.  Dan.,  76. 

On  bark  and  wood.  Britain  (a  specimen  from  Sowerby's 
Herbarium,  named  by  Rostafinski) ;  Europe ;  United  States. 


Tilmadoche.  331 

Appears  to  be  a  variety  of  T.  nutans,  with  a  blackish-brown 
sporangial  wall. 

(Rostafinski's  Synonyms.) 

Miicor,  Fl.  Dan.,  t.  467,  f.  3  (1770). 

Trichia  nutans,  Trent.,  I.e.,  p.  227. 

Physarum  solutum,  Schum.  Fl.  Saell.,  n.  1446 ;  Fl.  Dan.,  t. 

1974,  f.  1. 

Physarum  sulwlatum,  Schum.,  Fl.  Saell.,  n.  1437. 
Physarum  globosum,  Schum.,  Fl.  Saell.,  n.  1442. 
Physarum  furfuraceum,  Schum.,  Fl.  Saell.,  n.  J445. 
Physarum  globosum,  Sommf.,  Fl.  Lap.,  p.  243  (1825). 
Physarum  graeilentum,  Fr.,  I.e.,  iii.,  p.  133  (1829). 
Didymium  furfur aceum,  Fl.,  I.e.,  iii.,  p.  116. 
Tilmadoche,  soluta,  Fr.,  Sum.  Veg.  Scand.,  p.  454  (1849). 

Tilmadoche  columbina,  Rost. 

Sporangia  globose,  or  spherico-depressed,  usually  more  or  less 
umbilicate  below,  at  first  pale  grey  or  whitish,  delicately  frosted 
with  minute  white  particles  of  lime,  dark  grey  and  slightly 
iridescent  after  the  lime  has  been  removed;  stem  3 — 4  times 
as  long  as  height  of  sporangium,  snow-white,  tapering  upwards, 
straight  or  slightly  inclined  above,  longitudinally  wrinkled,  rigid, 
filled  with  particles  of  lime ;  columella  absent ;  capillitium  well 
developed,  threads  thin,  colourless,  combined  to  form  an  irregular 
network,  furnished  here  and  there  with  small,  elliptical,  inter- 
stitial swellings  containing  colourless  granules  of  lime ;  angles 
of  bifurcation  not  swollen ;  spores  globose,  pale  dingy  lilac,  very 
minutely  verruculose,  10 — 11  /u,  diameter. 

Tilmadoche  columbina,  Rost.,  Mon.  App.,  p.  13 ;  Sacc.,  Syll., 
vii.,  1,  1249. 

Didymium  columbinum,  B.  and  C.,  in  Herb. 

(Type  from  which  Rostafinski  founded  the  species  in  Herb. 
Berk.,  Kew,  n.  10,767.) 

Gregarious  on  rotten  wood.     Venezuela. 

About  2  mm.  Irish. 


332  A  Monograph  of  the  Myxogastres. 


Tilmadoche  Berkeley!,  Mass. 

Sporangia  globose,  very  slightly  or  not  at  all  umbilicate 
below,  dark  blue-grey,  frosted  with  minute  particles  of  lime ; 
stem  blackish-brown,  slender,  attenuated  upwards,  thick  at  the 
base,  and  passing  into  a  very  distinct,  circular,  pah  brmvn  hypo- 
thallus,  longitudinally  wrinkled,  filled  with  granules  of  lime  and 
masses  of  organic  matter,  usually  straight;  capillitium  dense, 
threads  3 — 4  p.  thick,  pale  yellowish-brown,  combined  to  form 
a  very  irregular  network,  swollen  portions  very  rare,  small,  and 
with  only  a  few  scattered  granules  of  lime,  apparently  entirely 
absent;  spores  globose,  lilac-brown,  very  minutely  warted, 
11 — 12  ft  diameter. 

Physarum  columbinum,  Fr. 

A  specimen  so  named  by  Berkeley,  but  certainly  not  that 
species. 

(Type  in  Herb.  Berk.,  n.  10,813.) 

On  twigs.     New  England,  U.  S. 

Gregarious,  growing  often  in  rows,  2 — 2'5  mm.  high. 

Tilmadoche  compacta,  Wing. 

Sporangia  brownish-white,  flattened,  globose,  occasionally 
globose,  nodding,  borne  on  subulate,  yellowish-white  stipes,  which 
have  a  brown  or  blackish  base,  and  reach  to  a  height  of  three 
or  four  times  the  width  of  the  sporangium ;  sporangium  wall 
studded  with  numerous,  snow-white  lime-granules,  the  remainder 
of  the  wall  bronze-colour,  with  a  metallic  lustre,  splitting  on 
maturity  in  a  floriform  manner,  with  from  six  to  twelve  laciniae ; 
capillitium,  after  removal  of  the  spores,  white,  with  a  faint 
bluish  tint  under  reflected  light  owing  to  the  traHslucence  or 
iridescence  of  its  delicate  threads;  the  latter  originate  from  a 
central  lime-granule  which  is  generally  quite  large,  branch 
several  times  as  they  proceed  towards  the  surface  of  the  spor- 
angium, and  join  into  a  dense,  compact  net,  the  ends  of  the 
last  branches  attached  to  the  inner  side  of  the  sporangium  wall ; 
lime-granules  in  the  capillitium,  very  few,  small,  white,  fusi- 


Tilmadoche.  333 

form ;   spores   bright   brown-violet    (brown  in  the  mass),  very 
delicately  warted,  7 — 9  mk. 

Fairmount  Park,  Phila.,  Pa.  and  Ohio  (Morgan). 

This  Tilmadoche  has  marked  characteristics.  The  stipe  for 
a  short  distance  from  the  base  is  very  dark,  but  suddenly 
changes  to  a  yellowish-white.  When  the  sporangium  bursts, 
the  top  part  of  the  wall  generally  pulls  out  the  capillitium 
immediately  over  the  central  lime-granule,  so  that  the  latter 
is  exposed  to  view.  In  some  teases,  when  quite  large,  the 
granule  falls  out,  leaving  a  circular  empty  space  in  the  centre 
of  the  sporangium,  without  disturbing  the  outline  of  the  capil- 
litium. The  capillitium  is  very  flimsy,  and  its  faint  bluish  tint 
in  the  mass  quite  marked  under  a  parabolic  reflector.  The 
metallic  lustre  of  the  sporangium  wall  is  constant  in  the  speci- 
mens collected  during  different  summers.  (Wing.) 

Tilmadoche  compacta,  Wingate,  Acad.  Nat.  Sci  Phil.,  1889, 
p.  48. 

Exsicc. — Ellis,  N.  Amer.  Fung.,  2087  (as  Tilmadoche  colum- 
bina,  B.). 

Tilmadoche  cavipes,  Berk. 

Plasmodium  white,  venulose,  anastomosing;  young  sporangia 
flesh- colour,  when  older  becoming  sprinkled  with  brick-red 
powder,  globose,  stem  white,  thickened  at  the  base,  hollow; 
spores  blackish-purple,  globose,  smooth;  capillitium  scanty, 
yellow. 

Tilmadoche  cavipes,  Berk.  Three  new  Indian  Fungi ;  in  Grev., 
vol.  xi.,  p.  39  (1882) ;  Sacc.,  Syll.,  vii.,  1,  n.  1252. 

On  leaves  of  different  species  of  Phalaenopsis.  Andaman 
Isles.  Lieut. -Col.  E.  S.  Berkeley,  1882. 

The  filmy  reticulate  mycelium  at  length  disappears,  and  the 
peridia  are  scattered,  looking  at  first  sight  from  their  white 
stems  like  Diacliaea.  The  species  is  altogether  distinct  from 
T.  lateritia,  Lev.  The  dust  of  the  peridia  consists  of  irregular 
fragments  of  a  bright  orange-red. 

Tilmadoche  anomala,  Mass.  (n.  sp.). 
Gregarious ;  sporangia  globose  or  slightly  depressed,  minutely 


334  A  Monograph  of  the  Myxogastres. 

umbilicate  below,  white,  sprinkled  with  minute  particles  of 
lime ;  stem  elongated,  slender,  equal,  straight,  pale  yellow,  longi- 
tudinally wrinkled,  filled  with  particles  of  lime,  expanding  at 
the  base  into  a  minute  circular  hypothallus ;  capillitium  rather 
dense,  threads  everywhere  equal,  about  3  /u  thick,  combined  to 
form  a  loose,  irregular  network,  nodes  very  rarely  slightly  in- 
crassated,  and  containing  a  few  minute,  colourless  granules  of 
lime ;  spores  globose,  dirty  lilac,  smooth,  10  /ut  diameter. 

On  wood.     Venezuela. 

An  apparently  very  distinct  species,  remarkable  for  the  almost 
total  absence  of  thickened  nodes  or  swollen  interstitial  portions 
of  the  capillitium  tubes,  hence  approaching  the  section  Hemi- 
didymium  of  Didymium.  From  3 — 3'5  mm.  high. 

Tilmadoche  oblonga,  Host. 

Scattered  or  gregarious,  stipitate ;  sporangia  cylindrical,  obtuse 
at  both  ends,  apex  broadly  and  deeply  umlilicate,  tawny-olive, 
sprinkled  with  pale  particles  of  lime ;  stem  elongated,  slender, 
becoming  thinner  upwards,  straight,  or  usually  more  or  less 
curved  near  the  apex,  reddish  or  yellow-brown,  more  or  less 
longitudinally  wrinkled,  filled  with  minute  particles  of  lime ; 
capillitium  well  developed,  threads  colourless,  thin,  with  scat- 
tered, small,  interstitial,  fusiform  swellings  containing  colourless 
or  yellowish  granules  of  lime,  angles  of  bifurcation  not  in- 
crassated ;  spores  dingy  lilac,  globose,  minutely  verruculose, 
7 — 9  n  diameter. 

Tilmadoche  oblonga,  Host.,  Mon.  App.,  p.  13;  Sacc.,  Syll.,  vii., 
1,  n.  1250. 

Trichamphora  oblonga,  Berk,  and  Curtis,  Grev.,  vol.  ii.,  p.  66 ; 
N.  Amer.  Fung.,  n.  360. 

(Type  specimen  in  Herb.  Berk.,  Kew,  n.  10,917.) 

Physarella  mirabilis,  Peck,  Bull.,  Torr.  Bot.  Club.,  vol.  ix., 
p.  61,  pi.  24,  figs.  1—6  (wretched  figures);  Rev.  Myc.,  1882, 
p.  172,  tab.  xxix.,  fig.  5  (after  Peck's  figures) ;  Sacc.,  Syll.,  vii., 
1,  n.  1227. 

Exsicc. — Ellis,  N.  Amer.  Fung.,  n.  1212. 

On  wood,  leaves,  &c.     United  States. 


Tilmadoche.  335 

About  2  mm.  high,  stem  straight  or  curved,  thin,  sporangium 
typically  cylindric-oblong,  broadly  and  deeply  umbilicate  at  the 
apex ;  there  is  no  trace  of  a  columella.  The  present  species 
appears  to  be  inclined  to  sport.  Mr.  Harold  Wingate,  of 
Philadelphia,  has  sent  me  a  fine  series  of  forms  of  the  present 
species  passing  from  the  typical  form  described  above  to  speci- 
mens that  are  much  larger,  with  a  shorter,  thicker,  red  stem, 
which  is  in  some  instances  branched  and  bearing  3 — 5  sporangia. 
These  vary  in  form  from  the  typical  condition,  through  cyathi- 
form  to  broadly  funnel-shaped,  with  a  recurved,  often  flexuous 
margin,  externally  reddish-brown,  internally  orange-yellow ;  in 
these  forms  the  umbilicus  has  become  so  deeply. depressed  that 
the  cavity  of  the  sporangium  is  almost  obliterated.  It  is  the 
inner  depressed  apical  portion  of  the  sporangium  that  Peck 
describes  as  a  spurious,  hollow  columella;  he  has  obviously 
formed  the  genus  Physarella  from  an  abnormal  condition  of  the 
present  species. 


Tilmadoche  gyrocephala,  Host. 

Sporangia  irregularly  Idbed  or  lacunose,  often  compressed  and 
umbilicate  below,  stipitate,  wall  thin,  covered  with  irregular 
yellow  or  greenish-yellcnv  scales  of  lime  ;  stem  elongated,  tapering 
upwards,  weak  and  often  curved,  irregularly  rugulose,  passing 
downwards  into  a  thin,  wrinkled  hypothallus,  bright  yellow  or 
orange ;  columella  absent ;  capillitium  well  developed,  forming  a 
loose  net,  nodes  elongated,  filled  with  yellow  granules  of  lime, 
internodes  long,  thin;  spores  globose,  minutely  warted,  dingy, 
lilac,  7 — 9  11  diameter. 

Didymium  gyrocephalum,  Mont.,  Ann.  Sci.  Nat.,  Ser.  II. 
vol.  viii.,  p.  362;  Mont.,  Syll.,  n.  1073. 

Tilmadoche  gyrocephala  (Mont.),  Rost.,  Mon.,  p.  131 ;  Sacc., 
Syll.,  vol.  vii.,  pt.  I.,  n.  1248;  Mass.,  Journ.  Myc.,  vol.  v.,  p.  187, 
t.  14,  f.  8  (1889). 

Cribraria  staminiformis,  Speg.,  Fung.  Arg.,  Pug.  II.,  n.  109. 

Exsicc. — Rav.,  Fung.  Amer.,  n.  477  (as  Physarum  Schumacheri, 
Spr.). 


336  A  Monograph  of  the  Myxogastres. 

On  twigs,  moss,  &c.  Brazil ;  Argentine  Republic ;  Aiken, 
S.  Carolina. 

Gregarious,  1'5 — 2  mm.  high,  having  the  habit  of  Physarum 
Schumacheri,  but  readily  distinguished  by  the  absence  of  a 
columella  and  the  very  irregular  sporangia  which  is  not  due 
to  the  coalescence  of  several  individuals,  as  proved  by  the  thin, 
simple  stem. 


Tilmadoche  reniformis,  Mass.  (n.  sp.). 

Gregarious ;  sporangia  reniform,  deeply  umbilicate  below,  some- 
times umbilicate  above  also,  and  then  presenting  a  dumb-bell- 
like  form,  coating  of  lime  white,  often  becoming  cracked,  stem 
elongated,  slender,  erect,  straight,  tapering  upwards,  pale  brown, 
wrinkled,  filled  with  granules  of  lime ;  capillitium  rather  scanty, 
threads  forming  a  very  loose  net,  with  scattered,  fusiform  swell- 
ings, colourless  or  tinged  yellow;  spores  globose,  dull  purple, 
coarsely  spinulose,  16 — 17  /*  diameter. 

Ceylon. 

(Type  in  Herb.  Berk.,  Kew.) 

On  bark.  Gregarious,  rarely  scattered,  2  mm.  high.  The 
sporangium  is  sausage-shaped  and  curved,  the  stem  entering 
the  concave  side  or  umbilicus.  This  peculiarity,  and  more 
especially  the  large,  coarsely  spinulose  spores,  characterize  the 
species. 

CEINKOWSKIA,  Host, 

Wall  of  sporangium  single,  containing  lime,  dehiscing  irregu- 
larly ;  capillitium  attached  at  many  points  to  wall  of  spor- 
angium, forming  an  irregular  network  having  numerous  free, 
curved,  pointed  ends. 

Ceinkowskia,  Host.,  Mon.,  p.  91;  Cooke,  Brit.  Myx.,  p.  11 ; 
Schroeter,  p.  131 ;  Sacc.,  Syll.,  vol.  vii.,  pt.  I.,  p.  329. 

Physarum,  Alb.  et  Schwz.,  p.  90. 

Diderma,  FT.,  S.  M.,  iii.,  p.  112. 

Didymium,  Bischoff.     Kryptogamenkunde,  f.  361. 


Ceinkowskia.  337 

Very  closely  allied  to  the  genus  Physarum,  differing  only  in 
having  some  free  ends  to  the  network  of  the  capillitium. 
Distrib.  Europe  ;.  United  States.     Species  1. 

Ceinkowskia  reticulata,  Rost.  (figs.  266,  267). 

Plasmodiocarp  elongated,  sinuous  or  irregularly  anastomosing, 
wall  rough  with  lime,  deep  yelloio,  sometimes  with  a  tinge  of 
brown;  capillitium  rather  scanty,  threads  yellow,  about  3  /x 
thick,  forming  an  irregular  net,  with  free,  curved,  pointed  ends ; 
here  and  there  large,  irregular,  flattened  nodes  containing  yellow 
granules  of  lime  are  present;  spores  globose,  dull  violet,  very 
minutely  verruculose,  8 — 10  /x  diameter. 

Ceinkowskia  reticulata,  Rost.,  Mon.,  p.  91,  fig.  107;  Cooke, 
Myx.  Brit.,  fig.  107 ;  Schroeter,  p.  131 ;  Sacc.,  Syll,  n.  1440. 

On  dead  leaves  and  wood.  Britain  (Sibbertoft) ;  Germany ; 
Sweden ;  United  States. 

Usually  forming  an  irregular  network  '5 — 2  cm.  across,  de- 
hiscing irregularly.  The  number  of  flattened,  lime-containing 
nodes  varies  considerably  in  different  individuals,  being  some- 
times very  numerous  and  originating  mostly  from  the  wall  of 
the  sporangium.  Closely  resembling  in  habit  and  general 
appearance  Physarum  gyrosum,  Rost.,  a  species  not  yet  dis- 
covered in  Britain. 

(Rostafmski's  Synonyms.) 

Physarum  reticulatum,  Alb.  and  Sz.,  I.e.,  251,  t.  7,  f.  2  (1805). 
Diderma  reticulatum,  Fr.,  l.c.,  iii.,  112  (1829). 
Didymium  reticulatum,  Bischoff.  Kryptogamenkunde,  f.  361 
(1842). 

LEOCAKPUS,  Rost. 

Wall  of  sporangium  composed  of  two  distinct  layers,  dehiscing 
in  an  irregular  manner ;  capillitium  attached  at  numerous  points 
to  wall  of  sporangium,  threads  combined  to  form  a  dense, 
irregular  network  with  numerous  nodes,  many  of  which  are 
empty,  the  remainder  large  and  filled  with  small  granules  of 


338  A  Monograph  of  the  Myxogastres. 

lime ;  columella  absent ;  spores  free  from  the  first,  or  originating 
in  clusters. 

Leocarpus,  Host.,  Mon.,  p.  132 ;  Cooke,  Myx.  Brit.,  p.  23 ; 
Sacc.,  Syll.,  vii.,  1,  p.  358;  Zopf,  p.  148. 

The  one  species  included  in  the  present  genus  is  characterized 
by  the  smooth,  polished  sporangial  wall,  and  by  the  hetero- 
geneous structure  of  the  capillitium,  most  of  the  swollen  nodes 
containing  air,  while  a  few  of  the  largest  are  filled  with  granules 
of  lime  as  in  the  genus  Physarwn.  Some  years  ago  I  met  with 
a  batch  of  Leocarpus  fragilis  having  the  spores  arranged  in 
clusters  as  in  some  species  of  Badhamia,  and  the  following  note 
by  Mr.  A.  Lister,  attached  to  the  present  species  in  the  Kew 
Herbarium  shows  that  this  condition,  although  not  constant, 
is  not  altogether  abnormal,  and  what  is  of  more  interest,  tends 
to  show  that  aggregation  of  the  spores  in  clusters  is  not  of 
specific  value.  "  In  some  sporangia  the  aggregation  of  the 
spores  is  as  marked  as  in  any  Badhamia  hyalina,  while  in  others 
there  is  no  such  appearance  at  all." 

.Distrib.  Europe ;  United  States ;  Tasmania.     Species  1. 


Leocarpus  fragilis,  Rost.  (figs.  187 — 189). 

Sporangia  obovate,  with  a  more  or  less  elongated,  slender, 
weak  stem,  or  sub-globose  and  nearly  or  quite  sessile,  vary  in 
colour  from  bright  chestnut  to  ochraceous,  wry  smooth,  shining  ; 
hypothallus  well  developed,  capillitium  dense,  some  of  the  nodes 
empty,  others  filled  with  coloured  granules  of  lime  ;  spores  globose, 
either  free  from  the  first  or  in  clusters,  dingy  purple,  sometimes 
with  a  brown  tinge,  11 — 15  f*  diameter,  minutely  wartcd. 

Leocarpus  fragilis,  Rost.,  Mon.,  p.  132,  f.  93;  Cooke,  Myx. 
Brit.,  p.  23,  f.  93 ;  Sacc.,  Syll.,  vii.,  1,  n.  1242 ;  Zopf,  p.  148. 

Exsicc.—W..  A.  Libert.  PI.  Crypt.  Ard.,  Fasc.  I.,  n.  76 ;  Syd., 
Myc.  March.,  1297;  Flor.,  Exs.  Austro-Hung.,  1854;  Karst., 
Fung.  Fenn.,  377 ;  Fuckel,  F.ung.  Rhen.,  1465 ;  Rab.-Klotzsch, 
Herb.  Myc.,  37;  Ellis,  N.  Amer.  Fung.,  1123;  Rav.,  Fung. 
Car.,  78. 

On  twigs,  grass,  moss,  &c.     Britain  (Helstcn,  Cornwall ;  New 


Faligo.  339 

Forest,  Epping,  Hereford,  Scarboro',  Carlisle,  Denbigh,  Appin, 
N.  B.);  Europe;  U.  States;  Tasmania. 

Usually  densely  gregarious,  sometimes  several  sporangia  are 
more  or  less  grown  together,  2 — 3  mm.  high,  distinguished  by 
the  pyriform  or  obovate,  polished  sporangia. 

(Rostafinski's  Synonyms.) 

Lycoperdon  fragile,  Dicks.  Or.,  t.  3,  f.  3  (1785) ;  Sow.,  t.  136. 
Reticularia  fragilis,  Poir,  Ency. 
Lycoperdon  parasiticum,  With.  Arr.,  iv.,  379  (1792). 
Diderma  vernicosum,  Pers.,  Obs.,  t.  3,  f.  7  (1796);  Fl.  Dan., 

t.  1312,  f.  2;  Eng.  Fl.,  v.,  311 ;  Cooke,  Hdbk.',  n.  1108. 
Trichia  lutea,  Trent.,  p.  230  (1797). 

Diderma  vernicosum,  ft.  parasitica,  Pers.,  Syn.,  165  (1801). 
Physarum  nitidum,  Schum.,  Saell.,  1451  (1803). 
Physarum  vernicosum,  Schum.;  Saell.,  1452  (1803). 
Leocarpus  vernicosus,  Link,  Obs.,  i.,  25  (1809);  Nees.,  f.  100; 

Grev.,  S.  C.  FL,  iii. ;  Corda,  v.,  f.  32. 
Leocarpus  spermoides,  Link,  Obs.,  i.,  25  (1809). 
Leoearpus  atrovirens,  Fr.,  Gast.,  p.  13  (1817). 
Leangium  vernicosum,  Fr.,  Stirp.,  83  (1825). 
Diderma  atrovirens,  Fr.,  S.  M.,  iii.,  103  (1829). 
Tripotrichia  elegans,  Corda,  Ic.,  i.,  f.  288  A  (1837). 

FULIGO,  Rost. 

A  pulvinate,  large,  irregular  aethalium,  formed  of  intertwined, 
elongated  sporangia,  springing  from  a  tough  hypothallus,  the 
peripheral  sporangia  forming  a  friable,  spurious  cortex  contain- 
ing a  large  quantity  of  lime;  capillitium  strongly  developed, 
threads  anastomosing  to  form  a  very  irregular  network,  furnished 
with  irregularly  stellate  nodes  containing  granules  of  lime. 

Fuligo,  Rost.,  Mon.,  p.  134;  Cooke,  Myx.  Brit.,  p.  23;  Sacc., 
Syll,  vii.,  1,  p.  353 ;  Zopf,  149. 

Closely  approaching  the  genus  Physarum  in  the  structure  of 
the  capillitium,  differing  in  its  aethalioid  nature,  a  character 
certainly  not  of  generic  value  taken  alone.  The  absence  of  a 


340  A  Monograph  of  the  Myxogastres. 

well-defined  sporangial  wall  in  the  component  sporangia  form- 
ing an  aethalium  is  what  would  be  expected  from  analogy,  and 
in  the  present  genus  the  external  covering  of  the  aethalium,  the 
cortex,  consists  of  sterile  sporangia,  showing  a  division  of  labour 
as  is  often  the  case  in  various  parts  of  the  vegetable  kingdom, 
when  originally  isolated  structures  become  concentrated,  as 
illustrated  by  the  ray  and  disc  florets  in  composite  plants.  The 
cortex  is  very  friable,  and  consists  largely  of  flake-like  masses 
of  lime,  and  in  some  cases  the  cortex  is  quite  rudimentary. 

Distrib.  Europe;  United  States ;  Cuba;  Venezuela;  S.Africa; 
Ceylon;  W.  Australia;  N.  Zealand.     Species  5. 


Fuligo  varians,  Rost.  (figs.  190—192). 

Aethalium  usually  large,  either  naked,  with  the  surface  more 
or  less  venous,  or  covered  with  a  cortex  which  is  either  smooth 
and  continuous,  or  friable  with  flakes  of  lime,  clear  yellow, 
brownish,  or  greyish-white ;  capillitium  abundant,  forming  an 
irregular  network,  with  large  irregularly  branched  nodes  filled 
with  minute  granules  of  yellow  or  white  lime ;  spores  globose, 
pale  lilac-brown,  smooth,  7 — 11  /*  diameter. 

Fuligo  varians,  Rost.,  Mon.,  p.  134 ;  Cooke,  Myx.  Brit.,  p.  23 ; 
Zopf,  p.  149. 

Fuligo  septica,  Sacc.,  Syll.,  vii.,  1,  n.  1228. 

Aethalium  septicum,  Cooke,  Hdbk.,  n.  1101. 

Aethalium  vaporarium,  Cooke,  Hdbk.,  n.  1102. 

JSxsicc. — Roum.,  Fung.  Gall.,  1678;  Rabh.,  Fung.  Eur.,  81; 
Thum.,  Fung.  Austr.,  523 ;  Sacc.,  Myc.  Yen.,  963 ;  Karat.,  Fung. 
Fenn.,  379;  Kunze,  Fung.  Sel.,  298;  Fuckel,  Fung.  Rhen., 
1472 ;  Desm.,  Crypt.  France,  Ser.  I.,  n.  1844. 

Amongst  dead  leaves,  and  amongst  tan  in  greenhouses,  on 
rotten  wood,  &c.  Britain  (Highgate,  Kew,  Hereford,  Scarboro', 
Appin,  N.  B.);  S.  Africa;  India;  W.  Australia;  New  Zealand; 
United' States ;  Cuba;  Bolivia. 

Very  variable  in  size,  form,  and  colour;  in  the  plasmodium 
condition  often  occurring  amongst  dead  leaves  as  a  bright 
yellow  soft  moss,  and  hardening  into  yellow,  crust-like  patches, 


Fuligo.  341 

varying  from  one  to  eight  or  ten  inches  across,  and  nearly  one 
inch  thick.  The  cortex  is  usually  bright  yellow  and  very  brittle, 
sometimes  whitish ;  the  lime  of  the  capillitium  also  varies  from 
bright  yellow  to  white ;  spores  in  the  mass  blackish-brown. 


(Rostafinski's  Synonyms.) 

JSpotiffe,  March.,  427,  t.  12  (1727). 

Mucilago  aestiva,  Mich.,  t.  96,  f.  1  (1729). 

Mucores,  Gled,  p.  138,  160  (1753). 

Mucor  unctuosus  flavus,  Huds.,  Fl.  Ang. 

Mucor  septicus,  Link,  Sp.  PL,  n.  1656  (1753);    Fl.  Dan.,  t. 

778 ;  Bolt.,  t.  134. 

Mucor  primus  ovatus,  Schff.,  t.  192  (1765). 
Mucor  tcrtius,  Schff.,  t.  194  (1763). 
Fuligo,  Hall,  n.  2133,  2134,  2135  (1768). 
Mucor  mucilago,  Scop.,  Fl.  Cam.,  ii.,  1638  (1772). 
Lycopcrdon  luteum,  Schr.,  Fl.  Bav.,  ii.,  629  (1789). 
Reticularia  carnosa,  Bull.,  t.  424,  f.  1  (1791). 
Reticularia  Tiortensis,  Bull.,  t.  424,  f.  2  (1791). 
Reticularia  lutea,  Bull.,  t.  380,  f.  1  (1791). 
Fuligo  septica,  Gmel.,  Sys.,  1466  (1791). 
Fuligo  Candida,  Pers.,  Obs.,  i.,  154  (1796). 
Fuligo  vaporaria,  Pers.,  Obs.,  i.,  155 ;  Fl.  Dan.,  t.*'1363,  f.  1. 
Fuligo  flava,  Pers.,  Disp.,  p.  8  (1797). 
Fuligo  rufa,  Pers.,  Disp.,  p.  8  (1797). 
Fuligo  pallida,  Pers.,  Obs.,  ii.,  36  (1799). 
Fuligo  laevis,  Pers.,  Syn.,  p.  161  (1801). 
Fuligo  violacea,  Pers.,  Syn.,  160  (1801) ;  Ic.  Pict.,  t.  1. 
Reticularia  septica,  With.  Arr.,  iv.,  463  (1801) ;  Purt.,  p.  703. 
Reticularia  ovata,  var.  With.  Arr.,  iv.,  463  (1801). 
Fuligo  flavescens,  Schum.,  Saell.,  1413  (1803). 
Fuligo  cerea,  Sow.,  t.  399  (1803). 
Aetlialium  flavum,  Link,  Diss.,  i.,  42  (1809);   Nees.,  f.  92; 

Grev.,  S.  C.  FL,  t.  272. 

Fidigo  cerebrina,  Brondeau,  p.  74,  t.  3,  f.  1 — 4  (1824). 
Fidigo  varians,  Somm.,  Fl.  Lapp.,  p.  231  (1826). 


342  A  Monograph  of  the  Myxogastres. 

Reticularia  vaporaria,  Chev.,  Fl.  Par.,  i.,  342  (1827). 
Aethalium  violaceum,  Spr.  Sys.,  iv.,  533  (1827). 
Aethalium  candidum,  Schlecht.,  in  Spr.  Sys.,  iv.,  533. 
Aethalium  scpticum,  Fr.,  S.  M.,  iii.,  93  (1829),  Cooke,  Hdbk., 

n.  1101,  a.flavum,  1.  cinnamomeum,  c.  rufum,  d.  violaceum. 
Fuligo  carnosa,  Duby.,  Bot.  Gall,  ii.,  863  (1830). 
Fuligo  hortensis,  Duby.,  Bot.  Gall,  ii.,  863  (1830). 
Aethalium  rufum,  Wallr.,  Fl.  Germ.,  2097  (1833). 
Aethalium  septicum,  b.  vaporarium,  Rabh.,  Fl.  Germ.,  2133 

(1844). 

Aethalium  ferrincola,  Schwz.  Am.,  2372  (1834). 
Reticularia  rufa,  Schwz.  Am.,  2377  (1834). 
Aethalium  rufum,  Alexandr.,  t.  11,  f.  6 — 11  (1872). 
Aethalium  vaporarium,  Fr.,  Berk.,  in  Gard.  Chron.  (1860),  p. 

409 ;  Cooke,  Hdbk.,  n.  1102. 

Fuligo  stercorifonnis,  Mass. 

Aethalium  resembling  the  dung  of  some  young  animal,  size 
and  shape  variable,  most  frequently  sausage-shaped,  unequally 
gibbous,  attached  to  the  substratum  throughout  its  length  by  a 
broad  base ;  covered  with  a  very  friable,  seceding,  white  cortex 
abounding  in  lime;  capillitium  greyish-white,  tubes  with  numerous 
swollen  portions  containing  granules  of  lime,  combined  to  form 
a  network;  hypothallus  rudimentary;  spores  ellipsoid,  tyrown, 
densely  covered  with  minute  warts,  10'5 — 18'5  +  9'3 — 14'5  /LI. 

Aethaliopsis  stercoriformis,  Zopf,  p.  150,  fig.  26,  vii. ;  Sacc., 
Syll.,  vii.,  1,  n.  1232. 

On  rotten  leaves.     Germany. 

Zopf  founded  the  genus  Aethaliopsis  on  the  mistaken  sup- 
position that  the  ellipsoid  spores  distinguished  it  at  once  amongst 
the  Lithodermeae. 

Fuligo  ochracea,  Peck. 

Sporangia  variously  interwoven  to  form  a  small  aethalium, 
springing  from  a  delicate,  whitish  hypothallus,  seated  on  a  broad 
91  narrow  base ;  common  cortex  delicate,  covered  at  first  with 


Fuligo.  343 

rounded  or  irregularly  branched  or  sinuous,  minute  ochraceous 
patches  of  lime ;  capillitium  well  developed,  extending  uniformly 
throughout  the  aethalium;  nodes  rather  large,  more  or  less 
elliptical,  furnished  with  irregularly  branched  arms,  filled  with 
yellowish  granules  of  lime,  internodes  thiu,  irregularly  anasto- 
mosing ;  spores  dingy  lilac,  globose,  smooth,  or  sometimes  with 
indications  of  minute  warts,  7 — 10  ju.  diameter. 

Fuligo  ochracea,  Peck,  31st  Report  of  State  Mus.,  N.  York, 
p.  56 ;  Sacc.,  Syll.,  vil,  1,  n.  1231. 

Licea  ochracea,  Peck. 

On  various  living  and  dead  plants.  United  States;  Cuba; 
Venezuela. 

Aethalia  reaching  up  to  1  cm.  diameter,  usually  smaller. 
Very  close  to  Fuligo  varians,  if  indeed  distinct.  The  present 
species  is  in  Berkeley's  Herbarium  from  Cuba  and  Venezuela, 
marked  "  Aethalium  pulchrum,  B.  and  C.,"  but  I  am  not  aware 
of  any  published  description. 

Fuligo  simulans,  Karst. 

Very  similar  to  ecorticate  forms  of  Fuligo  varians,  but  the 
spores  are  darker,  blackish-violet  or  almost  black,  and  larger, 
9 — 16  ju,  generally  10  p.  diameter. 

Fuligo  simulans,  Karsten,  Myc.  Fenn.,  part  IV.,  p.  108 ;  Sacc., 
Syll.,  vii.,  1,  n.  1230. 

Yellow.  On  leaves  of  Vaccinium  vitis-idaea,  either  unequally 
effused  or  surrounding  the  living  stems  and  twigs.  Finland. 

Raciborski  says  in  Hedwigia,  1887,  p.  Ill,  that  the  present 
species  is  the  same  as  Fuligo  varians,  but  he  does  not  state  that 
the  examination  of  an  authentic  specimen  has  enabled  him  to 
arrive  at  that  conclusion,  hence  the  statement  must  be  accepted 
as  an  opinion  only. 

Fuligo  tatrica,  Racib. 

Aethalium  and  capillitium  very  similar  to  Fuligo  varians, 
spores  obscure  violet,  minutely  warted,  8 — 10  p  diameter. 


344  A  Monograph  of  the  Myxogastres. 

Fuligo  tatrica,  Raciborski,  in  Hedwigia,  1885,  p.  160 ;  Sacc., 
Syll.,  vii.,  1,  n.  1229. 

On  fallen  trunks.     Hungary. 

CRATERIACHEA,  Rost. 

Sporangia  irregularly  ruptured  during  dehiscence,  lower 
portion  persistent,  margin  lacerated.  Columella  central,  cylin- 
drical, containing  lime.  Threads  of  the  capillitium  delicate, 
combined  to  form  a  network,  nodes  not  usually  developed,  here 
and  there  inflated  and  containing  granules  of  lime,  meshes  of 
the  network  becoming  smaller  towards  the  periphery,  termin- 
ating in  short  arms  that  are  attached  to  the  wall. 

Crateriachea,  Rost.,  Mon.,  p.  125 ;  Sacc.,  Syll.,  vol.  vii.,  part  I., 
p.  358 ;  Cooke,  Brit.  Myx.,  p.  20. 

Apparently  intermediate  in  some  respects  between  the  Litlio- 
dermeae  and  the  Columcllifcrae,  departing  from  the  former  in 
the  paucity  of  lime  and  the  thin  tubes  of  the  capillitium,  form- 
ing a  network  which  originates  from  the  elongated  columella, 
but  differing  from  the  latter  in  the  tendency  to  form  nodes 
containing  lime  not  being  yet  obliterated.  Distinct  from 
Cratcrium  in  the  distinct  columella  and  rudimentary  nodes  of 
the  capillitium. 

Distrib.  Germany.     Species  1. 

Crateriachea  mutabilis,  Rost. 

Sporangia  cylindrical,  attenuated  below,  then  expanding  into 
a  discoid  hypothallus,  every  part  reddish-brown ;  spores  dingy 
violet,  globose,  8 — 10  /*  diameter,  strongly  warted. 

Crateriachea  mutabilis,  Rost.,  Mon.,  p.  126,  figs.  102,  103; 
Cooke,  Myx.  Brit.,  figs.  102,  103;  Sacc.,  Syll,  vii.,  1,  u.  1243. 

On  wood.     Germany. 

Sporangia  ^ — f  mm.  high,  sometimes  slightly  curved. 


DESCRIPTION  OF  THE  FIGURES. 


PLATE   1. 

FIG.  1.  Tubvlina  cylitulrica,  Bull.  Portion  of  an  aethalium  broken  to  show 
the  arrangement  of  the  component  sporangia  ;  nat.  size. 

„     2.  Spore  of  same,  x  1200. 

„  2a.  Diagrammatic  view  of  a  sporangium  of  same,  showing  the  imper- 
forate  wall,  the  sporangia  are  usually  hexagonal  from  mutual 
pressure,  and  the  free  apical  portion  convex. 

„     3.  Tubulina  flexuosa,  Mass.,  plasmodiocarp  sporangia,  x  40. 

„     4.  Spore  of  same,  x  1200. 

„     5.  Tubulina  effiisa,  Mass.     Aethalium  cut  to  show  section  ;  nat.  size. 

„     6.  Spore  of  same,  x  1200. 

„  7.  Trichia,  fragilis,  Host.,  a.  genuina,  showing  single  sporangium  and 
fasciculate  or  aethalioid  form  springing  from  the  same  hypo- 
thallus,  hence  from  the  same  plasmodium,  x  40. 

„     8.  Var.  serotina,  of  same,  x  40. 

„     9.  Elater  of  same,  x  500. 

„    10.  Spore  of  same,  x  1200. 

„  11.  Cribraria  intricata,  Schrad.  Sporangium  showing  stem,  a  ;  passing 
into  a  thin  hypothallus,  b  ;  calyculus  or  lower  persistent  portion 
of  sporangium,  c  ;  and  the  permanent  upper  portion  of  the 
sporangium,  consisting  of  numerous  nodes  or  irregularly  angular 
portions  filled  with  coloured  granules  of  lime,  and  connected  by 
long,  thin  internodes  ;  the  spores  have  been  blown  away,  x  250. 

„  12.  Unnamed  species.  Group  of  sporangia,  one  of  which  is  ruptured 
above  and  showing  the  pale  yellow  spore-mass,  x  40. 

„   13.  Spdres  and  portion  of  capillitium  of  same,  x  350. 

„   14.  Enteridium  olivaceum,  Ehr.     Aethalium  ;  nat.  size. 

„   15.  Fragment  of  sporangial  walls  of  same,  showing  perforations,  x  350. 

„   16.  Spore-cluster  of  same,  x  500. 

„  17.  Single  spore  of  same  with  the  convex  free  portion  (when  in  the 
cluster)  warted,  x  1200. 

„  18.  Diagrammatic  representation  of  a  sporangium  of  same  showing  the 
perforated  lateral  wall. 

„   19.  Tilmadoche  nutans,  Host.     Single  sporangium,  x  50. 

„  20.  Spores  and  portion  of  capillitium  showing  the  small,  elliptical 
swellings  containing  lime,  a,  x  350. 

„   21.  Spore  of  same,  x  1200. 


346  A  Monograph  of  the  Myxogastres. 

FIG.  22.  Physarum  cominnum,  Mass.     Two  sporangia  seated  on  the  leaf  of 

a  moss,  x  40. 

„     23.  Spores  and  portion  of  capillitium  of  same,  x  350. 
„     24.  Spore  of  same,  x  1200. 
„     25.  Clathroptychium  rugulosum,   Rost.      Aethalium   with   a  portion 

removed  to  show  the  bright  yellow  spore-mass  ;  nat.  size. 

„    26.  Upper  part  of  a  sporangium  showing  the  permanent,  convex, 
apical  portion,  b  ;  with  its  six  descending  threads,  a ;  corre- 
sponding to  the  permanent  angles  of  the  lateral  wall  of  the 
sporangium,  x  350. 
'   „    27.  Spore  of  same,  x  1200. 

„  28.  Diagrammatic  representation  of  a  sporangium  of  same,  showing 
the  perforations  in  the  lateral  wall,  which  ia  reduced  to  the 
angles. 


PLATE  2. 

FIQ.  29.  Didymium  farinaceum,  Schrad.,  plant,  x  40. 

„     30.  Section  of  same,  showing  the  columella,  x  40. 

„  31.  Portion  of  same,  showing  the  capillitium  radiating  from  the  colu- 
mella, a,  to  the  wall  of  the  sporangium,  b,  x  350. 

„  32.  Portion  of  inner  wall  of  sporangium  passing  over  the  colu- 
mella, showing  rib-like  thickenings  arranged  in  a  reticulated 
manner,  x  350. 

„     33.  Spores,  x  350. 

„     34.  Portion  of  a  spore,  x  1200. 

„     35.  Crystals  of  lime  from  wall  of  sporangium,  x  350. 

„     36.  Chondrioderma  difforme,  Rost.,  plant,  x  40. 

„  37.  Section  of  same  showing  the  outer  calcareous  wall,  a,  separated 
from  the  thin  inner  wall,  6,  by  a  space  containing  air,  c,  x  40. 

„    38.  Threads  of  capillitium  and  spores  of  same,  x  350. 

„     39.  Lepidoderma  fidvum,  Mass.,  plants,  x  40. 

„    40.  Spores  of  same,  x  350. 

„     41.  Lepidoderma  tigrinum,  Rost.,  plant,  x  40. 

„     42.  Section  of  same,  showing  columella,  x  40. 

„    43.  Portion  of  capillitium  and  spores  of  same,  x  350. 

„     44.  Didymium  microcarpa,  Rost.,  a.  niyripes ;  plants,  x  40. 

„     45.  Spores  of  same, —  350  ;  a  portion  of  a  spore,  x  1220. 

„     46.  Didymium  squamulosum,  Fr.,  a.  genuinum ;  plant,  x  40. 

„    47.  Section  of  same,  showing  columella,  x  40. 

„    48.  Spores  of  same,  —  350  ;  portion  of  a  spore,  x  1200. 

„     49.  Didyminm  squamulosum,  Fr.,  var.  costatum,  Mass.,  plant,  x  40. 

„     50.  Didymium  squamulosum,  var.  viryineum.  Mass.,  plants,  x  40. 

„     51.  Section  of  same  to  show  columella,  x  40. 

„  52.  Portion  of  capillitium  and  spores  of  same,  . .  350  ;  a  portion  of  a 
spore,  x  1200. 


Description  of  the  Figures.  347 

FIG.  53.  Didymium  clavus,  Rost.,  plants,  x  40. 
„     54.  Portion  of  capillitium  and  spores  of  same,  x  350. 
„     55.  Didymium  serpula,  Fr.,  plants,  x  40. 
„     56.  Portion  of  capillitium  of  same,  x  350. 
„     57.  Spores  of  same,  x  350  ;  a  portion  of  a  spore,  x  1200. 
„     58.  Choiidrioderma  floriforme,  Rost.,  plants  ;  a,  before  dehiscence  ;  &, 

after  dehiscence,  x  40. 
„     59.  Spores  of  same,  x  350  ;  portion  of  a  spore,  x  1200. 


PLATE  3. 

FIG.  60.  Physarum  leucopus,  Rost.,  plants,  x  40. 

„  61.  Portion  of  capillitium  and  spores  of  same,  x  350. 

„  62.  Spore  of  same,  x  1200. 

„  63.  Physarum  hucophaeum,  Fr.,  plants,  x  40. 

„  64.  Portion  of  sporangial  wall  of  same,  showing  innate  patches  of 

lime,  x  200. 

„  65.  Portion  of  capillitium  and  spores  of  same,  x  350. 

„  66.  Spore  of  same,  x  1200. 

„  67.  Hybrid  between  Physarum  leucopus  and  Physarum  leucophaeum, 

x  40. 

„  68.  Physarum  granulatum,  Balf.,  fil.,  plant,  x  40. 

„  69.  Portion  of  capillitium  and  spores  of  same,  x  350. 

„  70.  Spore  of  same,  x  1200. 

„  71.  Physarum  cinereum,  Rost.,  plants,  x  40. 

„  72.  Portion  of  capillitium  and  spores  of  same,  x  350. 

„  73.  Spore  of  same,  x  1200. 

„  74.  Badhamia  panicea,  Rost.,  plants,  x  3. 

„  75.  Portion  of  capillitium  and  spores  of  same,  x  350. 

„  76.  Spore  of  same,  x  1200. 

„  77.  Physarum  Phillipsii,  Balf.,  fil.,  plants,  x  40. 

,,  78.  Spore  of  same,  x  1200. 

„  79.  Badhamia  macrocarpa,  Rost.,  var.  sessilis,  Rost.,  plants,  x  40. 

„  80.  Portion  of  capillitium  and  spore  of  same,  x  350. 

„  81.  Spore  of  same,  x  1200. 

„  82.  Physarum  didermoides,  Rost.,  plants,  x  40. 

„  83.  Portion  of  capillitium  and  spores  of  same,  x  350. 

„  84.  Spore  of  same,  x  1200. 

„  85.  Badhamia  fusea,  Mass.,  plants,  x  40. 

„  86.  Spore  of  same,  x  1200. 

„  87.  Chondrioderma  Oerstedii,  Rost.,  plants,  x  40;    a,  before,  c,  after 
dehiscence. 

„  88.  Spore  of  same,  x  1200. 


348          A    Monograph  of  the  Myobogastreb. 


PLATE  4. 

FIG.     89.  Choivdrioderma  niveum,  Rost.,  plants,  x  40. 
„       90.  CJwndrioderma  Trevdyani,  Rost.,  plants,  x  30. 

„  91.  Spore  of  same,  x  1200. 

„  92.  Clwndrioderma  radiatum,  Rost.,  plants,  x  40. 

„  93.  Didymium  tussilaginis,  Mass.,  plants,  x  40. 
„       94.  Portion  of  capillitium  and  spores  of  same,  x  400. 
„      95.  Swollen  angles  of  capillitium  of  same,  showing  crystals  of  lime, 

x  1200. 

„       96.  Physarum  lewophaeum,  var.  violascens,  Rost,  plants,  x  40. 
„      97.  Didymium  Listeri,  Mass.,  plants  ;  nat.  size. 

„  98.  Portion  of  capillitium  and  spores  of  same,  x  400. 
„       99.  Section  of  same,  x  40. 

„  100.  Spore  of  same,  x  1200. 

„  101.  Crystals  of  lime  from  wall  of  sporangium  of  same,  x  400. 

„  102.  Didymium  dnbium,  Rost.,  portion  of  capillitium,  x  400. 

„  103.  Cribraria  ritfa,  Rost.,  plant  after  the  spores  have  been  blown 
away,  x  80. 

„     104.  Oribrarm  anrantiaca,  Schrad.,  plant  after  the  spores  have  been 

blown  away,  x  80. 

„     105.  Cribraria  aryillacea,  Pers.,  plants,  x  40. 

„     106.  Portion  of  inner  permanent  wall  of  sporangium  of  same,  x  400. 
•„     107.  Spore  of  same,  x  1200. 

„     108.  Spore  of  Enteridium  Rozeanum,  Wing.,  x  1200. 
„     109.  Cribraria  purpurea,    Schrad.,    portion    of  permanent    wall    of 

sporangium,  x  400. 

„     110.  Cribraria,  macrocai-pa,  Schrad.,  x  80. 
„     111.  Siplwptychinm  Casparyi,  Rost.,  showing  the  prismatic  sporangia 

with  .slightly  convex  apices,  some  have  the  lateral  wall  removed 

showing  the  long,  slender,  central  columella  with  its  lateral 

branches,  x  60. 

„     112.  Stemonitis  dictyospvm,  Rost.,  spore,  x  1200. 

„     113.  A rcyria  fitliyinea,  Mass.,  portion  of  capillitium,  x  750. 


PLATE   5. 

FIG.  114.  Perichaeiia  corticalis,  Mass.,  sporangia  of  pale  form,  x  40. 

,,  115.  Sporangium  of  dark  form  of  same,  x  40. 

„  116.  Spores  and  portion  of  capillitium  of  same,  x  350. 

„  117.  Spore  and  portion  of  capillitium  of  same,  x  1200. 

„  118.  PerichaeiM  depressa,  Lib.,  sporangia  showing  dehiscent  lid,  x  40. 

„  119.  Sporangia  of  same,  seen  from  above,  x  40. 

„  120.  Spores  and  portion  of  capillitium  of  same,  x  350. 


Description  of  the  Figures.  349 

FIG.  121.  Lycogala  epidendrum,  Bux.  ;  nat.  size. 

,,     122.  Spore  and  portion  of  capillitiuui  of  same,  x  1200. 

„     123.  Lycogala  flavo-fiisca,  Eost.  ;  nat.  size. 

„  124.  Arcyria  clavata,  Mass.,  base  of  sporangium  and  stem,  showing 
the  latter  filled  with  large  cells  which  become  smaller  upwards 
and  pass  gradually  into  normal  spores,  x  100. 

„     125.  Sporangia  of  same,  x  40. 

„     126.  Spores  and  portion  of  capillitium  of  same,  x  350. 

„     127.  Prototrichia  cuprea,  Mass.,  sporangia,  x  40. 

„     128.  Spores  and  branched  elater  of  same,  x  350. 

„     129.  Spore  of  same,  x  1200. 

„  130.  Prototrichia  ftagellifer,  Eost.,  sporangium  split  open  showing  the 
flesh-coloured  mass  of  spores,  x  40. 

„     131.  Spores  and  branched  elater  of  same,  x  350.  : 

„     132.  Spore  of  same,  x  1200. 

„  133.  Dictydium  cernuum,  Mass.,  sporangium,  after  the  spores  have 
been  blown  away,  showing  the.  calyculus  or  persistent  basal 
portion  of  the  sporangial  wall,  a  ;  the  persistent  latticed  por- 
tion of  the  remainder  of  the  sporangial  wall,  b  ;  and  the 
shrivelled  apical  portion  of  the  stem,  x  100. 

„  134.  Cribraria  macrocarpa  (Schrad.),  E.,  sporangia  showing  at  a  the 
original  continuous  sporangial  wall ;  at  b  the  external  portion 
of  the  wall  has  fallen  away,  leaving  only  the  thickened  per- 
sistent portion,  the  spores  have  been  blown  away,  x  40. 

„  135.  Portion  of  permanent  network  of  the  sporangial  wall  of  same, 
showing  the  nodes,  a,  filled  with  granules  of  lime,  connected 
by  the  thin,  elongated  internodes,  fe,  destitute  of  lime,  x  350. 

„     136.  Spore  of  same,  x  1200. 

„     137.  Arcyria  cinerea,  Mass.,  sporangia,  x  40. 

„     138.  Portion  of  capillitium  and  spores  of  same,  x  350. 

„     139.  Portion  of  capillitium,  x  1200. 

„  140.  Arcyria  nutans,  Eost.,  sporangia  a,  before,  b,  after  dehiscence ; 
c,  the  long,  elastic  capillitium,  x  50. 

„     141.  Portion  of  capillitium  of  same,  x  1200. 

„     142.  Trichia  advenula,  Mass.,  group  of  sporangia,  x  40. 

„     143.  Spores  and  portion  of  an  elater  of  same,  showing  the  smooth, 

long  apiculus  and  interstitial  swelling,  x  350. 
„     144.  Spore  of  same,  x  1200. 


PLATE  6. 

FIG.  145.  Lamproderma  arcyrioides,  Eost.,  plants,  x  40. 
„     146.  The  same  after  the  sporangial  wall  and  mass  of  spores  have 
fallen  away,  showing  a,  base  of  wall  of  sporangium  ;  b,  colu- 
mella  ;  c,  capillitium  ;  d,  stem,  passing  into  the  hypothallus,  e, 
x  100. 


350  A  Monograph  of  the  Myxogastres. 

FIG.  147.  Portion  of  capillitium  and  spores  of  same,  x  350. 
„     148.  Spore  of  same,  x  1200. 
„     149.  Lamproderma  iridea,  Cooke,  plants,  x  40. 
„     150.  Spores  of  same,  x  350. 

„     151.  Portion  of  capillitium  and  spores  of  same,  x  350. 
„     152.  Lamproderma  violacea,  Host.,  plants,  x  40. 
„     153.  Portion  of  capillitium  of  same,  x  350. 
„     154.  Spores  of  same,  x  1200. 

„     155.  Stemonitis  fusca,  Host.,  group  of  plants  ;  nat.  size. 
„     156.  Single  plant  of  same  with  the  sporangial  wall  and  spores  blown 

away,  showing  the  dense  capillitium,  x  100. 
„     157.  Portion  of  capillitium  and  spores  of  same  ;  «,  part  of  columella  ; 

b,  main  branches  of  capillitium  originating  from  the  columellu, 

which  branch  and  anastomose  irregularly,  the  meshes  becoming 

email  towards  the  periphery,  x  350. 

,,     158.  Stemonitis  Carlylei,  Mass.,  group  of  plants,  x  10. 
,,     159.  Portion  of  capillitium  and  spores  of  same,  x  350. 
„     160.  Stemonit is  femtginea,  Ehr.,  plants,  x  8. 
„     161.  Portion  of  capillitium  and  spores  of  same,  x  350. 
„     162.  Stemonitis  fusca,  R.,  var.  a. ;  plants,  x  6. 
„     163.  Portion  of  capillitium  and  spores  of  same,  x  350. 
,,     164.  Spore  of  same,  x  1200. 
„     165.  Diachaea  leucopoda,  Host.,  plant,  x  25. 
„     166.  Spores  of  same,  x  350  ;  one  spore,  x  1200. 


PLATE  7. 

FIG.  167.  Didymium  sinapinum,  Mass.,  plants,  x  40. 

„  168.  Spores  of  same,  x  350  ;  a  portion  of  one  x  1200. 

„  169.  Trichia    varia,    var.    nigripes,    Host.,    plants,  x  40 ;    «,    before 

dehiscence  ;  b,  after  dehiscence. 

„  170.  Trichia  varia,  var.  gennina,  Eost.,  plants,  x  40. 

„  171.  Spores  of  same,  x  350. 

„  172.  Portion  of  spore  and  tip  of  elater  of  same,  x  1200. 

„  173.  Trichia  Carlylei,  Mass.,  plants,  x  40. 

„  174.  Spores  and  an  elater  of  same,  x  350. 

„  175.  Portion  of  sporangial  wall  of  same,  seen  from  the  inside,  showing 

the  purple  masses  of  organic  matter,  x  350. 

„  176.  Badhamia  nitens,  Berk.,  plants,  x  40. 

„  177.  Spores  of  same  ;  a,  in  clusters  ;  b,  detached,  x  350. 

„  178.  Single  spore  of  same,  x  1200. 

„  179.  Portion  of  capillitium  of  same,  x  350. 

„  180.  Trichia  intermedia,  Mass.,  plants,  x  40. 


Description  of  the  Figures.  351 

FIG.  181.  Two  spores  of  same,  showing  the  extreme  variations  of  markings  ; 

a,  having  the  bands  all  united  to  form  a  network  ;  b,  having 

the  bands  not  at  all  combined,  x  1200. 
„     182.  Portion  of  an  elater  of  same,  x  1200. 
„     183.  Trichia  purpurascens,  Nyl.,  plants,  x  40. 
„     184.  Spores  and  elaters  of  same,  x  350  ;  portion  of  a  spore,  x  1200. 
„     185.  Oligonema  Broamei,  Mass.,  plants,  x  40. 
„     186.  Spores  and  elater  of  same,  x  350. 
„     187.  Leocarpus  fragttis,  Host.,  plants,  x  25. 
„     188.  Pale-coloured  form  of  same,  x  25. 
„     189.  Portion  of  capillitium  and  spores  of  same,  x  350  ;  portion  of  a 

spore,  x  1200. 

„     190.  Fuligo  varians,  Eost.,  a  small  specimen  ;  nat.  size. 
„     191.  Section  of  same  ;  nat.  size. 

„     192.  Portion  of  capillitium  and  spores  of  same,  x  350. 
„     193.  Oligonema  nitens,  Rost.,  group  of  plants,  x  40. 
„     194.  Portion  of  capillitium  of  same,  x  350. 
„     195.  Spore  of  same,  x  1200. 


PLATE  8. 

FIG.  196.  Physarum  tenerum,  Rex.,  x  100. 

„  197.  Ophiotheca  Wrightii,  Berk,  and  Curtis  ;  portion  of  capillitium 
thread,  x  1200. 

„  198.  Ophiotheca  vermicularis,  Mass.,  portion  of  capillitium  thread, 
x  1230. 

„  198a.  Spore  of  same,  x  1200. 

„  199.  Ophiotheca  reticulata,  Mass.,  group  of  specimens  showing  various 
forms  of  the  venulose  plasmodiocarp,  x  50. 

„  200.  Portion  of  same  showing  the  numerous  free  arms,  a,  a,  of  the 
capillitium,  and  the  attachment  of  the  latter  to  the  wall  of  the 
sporangium,  b,  x  600. 

„  201.  Orcadella  opercidata,  Wingate ;  two  entire  specimens ;  a,  the 
deciduous  operculum,  x  100. 

„  202.  Lamproderma  Listeri,  Mass. ,  showing  a  specimen  after  the  dis- 
appearance of  the  sporangial  wall,  and  the  dispersion  of  the 
spores  ;  a,  stem,  passing  into  the  hypothallus,  b  ;  c,  remains  of 
tne  wall  of  the  sporangium,  which  forms  a  frill  round  the  apex 
of  the  stem ;  d,  columella,  which  in  the  present  specimen  is 
expanded  in  an  irregularly  discoid  manner  at  the  apex  ;  e, 
threads  of  the  capillitium  which  originate  from  the  discoid 
apex  of  the  columella,  x  400. 

„     203.  Spore  of  same,  x  1200. 

„  204.  Lachnobol-xs  globosus,  .Schweinitz.  A  specimen  growing  on  a 
spine  of  the  involucre  of  the  sweet  chestnut ;  a,  the  basal  per- 
manent portion  of  the  sporangium,  x  100. 


352          A  Monograph  of  the  Myxogastres. 

FIG.  205.  Heterotrichia  Gabriellae,  Mass.,  two  entire  specimens  :  o,  before, 
6,  after  deliiscence,  and  showing  the  protruded  capillitium, 
x  80. 

„  206.  Spores  and  portion  of  capillitium  of  same  ;  a,  thin  inner  portion 
of  capillitium  without  free  ends ;  b,  thick,  peripheral  portion 
of  capillitium  with  numerous,  pointed,  free  ends,  x  500. 

„  207.  Didymium  neglectiim,  Mass.,  section  of  sporangium  ;  a,  colu- 
mella  ;  6,  wall  of  sporangium  covered  externally  with  minute 
granules  of  lime  ;  c,  threads  of  capillitium,  x  200. 

„  208.  Didymium  amtrcdis,  Mass.,  single  specimen  showing  the  shallow 
umbilicus  on  the  under  surface  of  the  sporangium,  x  100. 

„  209.  Echinostdinm  minutum,  Host.,  portion  of  capillitium.  (After 
Eostafinski.) 

„  210.  Physarum  conglomeratum,  Fries,  a  group  of  specimens  seen  from 
above,  x  100.  (Drawn  from  a  specimen  named  by  Fries.) 

,,    211.  Section  of  a  sporangium  of  same,  x  150. 

,,     212.  Spores  and  a  portion  of  the  capillitium  of  the  same,  x  400. 


PLATE  9. 

Fia.  213.  Craterium  cylindricum,  Mass.,  x  100. 

„     214.  Physamm  dlipsosporum,  Host.,  spore,  x  1200. 

„  215.  Physarum  flavum,  Fries,  entire  specimen,  x  100  (figured  from 
specimen  by  Fries). 

„  216.  Chondrioderma  virginea,  Mass.,  two  specimens  showing  the 
smooth  wall  and  irregular  mode  of  dehiscence,  x  80. 

„     217.  Clusters  of  the  same  growing  on  a  dead  leaf  ;  nat.  size. 

„     218.  Spore  of  same,  x  1200. 

„  219.  Section  of  a  sporangium  of  same,  showing  columella  and  capil- 
litium, x  100. 

„    220.  Portion  of  capillitium  and  spores  of  same,  x  400. 

„  221.  Physamm  brunneolum,  Phil.,  two  entire  specimens  ;  o,  before, 
6,  after  dehiscence,  x  100. 

„  222.  Section  of  same,  showing  the  very  numerous,  large  nodes  of  the 
capillitium,  x  300. 

„  223.  Lepidoderma  stellata,  Mass.,  young  specimen,  showing  the  origin- 
ally continuous  white  crust  of  bicarbonate  lime  just  beginning 
to  break  up  into  large,  detached,  persistent  patches,  x  150. 

„  224.  Two  specimens  of  same  ;  a,  before,  6,  after  dehiscence,  which 
takes  place  in  a  stellate  manner  from  the  apex,  x  150. 

„    225.  Section  of  same,  showing  the  columella  and  capillitium,  x  150. 

„  226.  Didyminm  Iwiqipes,  Mass.,  three  specimens,  showing  irregular 
mode  of  dehiscence  ;  a,  hypothallus,  x  100. 

„  227.  Didymium  proximnm,  Berk,  and  Curt.,  specimens  growing  on 
dead  grass  ;  nat.  size. 

„  228.  Two  specimens  of  same ;  a,  showing  the  elongated  columella, 
which  is  very  brittle  and  easily  broken  off,  x  100. 


Description  of  the  Figures.  353 

Fro.  229.  Portion  of  capillitium  and  spores  of  same,  x  400.  (All  the 
figures  are  drawn  from  the  type  specimen  in  Herb.  Berk., 
Kew,  n.  10,760.) 

„  230.  Lepidoderma  retictdatum,  Mass.,  two  specimens,  showing  variety 
of  form  assumed  by  the  plasmodiocarp,  x  100. 

„  231.  Physarum  scyphoides,  Cooke  and  Balfour,  three  specimens ;  «, 
after  dehiscence,  showing  the  columella  ;  6,  showing  the  irregu- 
larly circumscissile  mode  of  dehiscence,  x  100. 

„  232.  Didymium  fidvellum,  Mass.,  single  specimen  showing  the  frosting 
of  lime  partially  removed  from  the  sporangium,  x  200. 

„  233.  Trichia  superba,  Mass.,  spore  showing  the  raised,  flat  bands  com- 
bined to  form  a  nearly  polygonal  network  ;  the  flat  surface 
of  the  flat  raised  band  is  ornamented  with  a  row  of  minute 
depressions,  x  1200. 

„     234.  Physarum  Ravenelii,  Mass.,  single  specimen,  x  100. 

„     235.  Portion  of  capillitium  and  spores  of  same,  x  400. 


PLATE   10. 

FIG.  236.  TUmadoche  mutabttis,  var.  aiirantiaca,  Host,  plant,  x  40. 

„  237.  Portion  of  capillitium  and  spores  of  same,  x  350. 

„  238.  Spore  of  same,  x  1200. 

„  239.  TUmadoche  mutabilis,  var.  lutea,  Host.,  plants,  x  40. 

„  240.  Physarum  Carlylei,  Mass.,  plant,  x  40. 

„  241.  Portion  of  capillitium  and  spores  of  same,  x  350. 

„  242.  Arcyria  punicea,  Eost.,  plants,  x  40. 

„  243.  Portion  of  capillitium  and  spores  of  same,  x  350. 

„  244.  Portion  of  capillitium  of  same,  x  1200. 

„  245.  Chondrioderma  Carmichaeliana,  Mass.,  plants,  x  40. 

„  246.  Section  of  same,  x  40. 

„  247.  Portion  of  capillitium  and  spores  of  same,  x  350. 

„  248.  Arcyria  chierea,  Mass.,  plant,  x  40. 

„  249.  Spores  of  same,  x  350. 

„  250.  Arcyria  fnrruginea,  Sauter.,  plants,  showing  the  various  forms  of 

sporangium  ;  in  a,  the  sporangium  has  been  ruptured  by  the 

elastic  capillitium,  6,  x  40. 

„  251.  Portion  of  capillitium  and  spores  of  same,  x  350. 

„  252.  Spore  of  same,  x  1200. 

„  253.  Portion  of  capillitium  thread  of  same,  x  1200. 

„  254.  Brefddia  maxima,  Host.,  plant ;  nat.  size. 

„  255.  Portion  of  capillitium  and  spores  of  same,  x  350. 

„  256.  Spore  of  same,  x  1200. 

„  257.  Craterium  aureum,  Host.,  plant,  x  40. 

„  258.  Portion  of  capillitium  and  spores  of  same,  x  350. 

„  259.  Spore  of  same,  x  1200. 

AA 


354  A  Monograph  of  the  Myxoyastres. 

FIG.  260.  Crater ium  aureum,  Host.,  plant,  x  40. 

„    261.  Portion  of  capillitium  and  spores  of  same,  x  350. 

„  262.  Arcyria  rubiformis,  Kost.,  a,  the  stipitate,  fasciculate  form  ;  b, 
sessile  form ;  in  c,  the  sporangium  lias  dehisced  in  a  circum- 
scissile  manner,  the  apical  portion,  d,  being  carried  up  by  the 
elastic  capillitium,  e,  x  40. 

„     263.  Portion  of  capillitium  and  spores  of  same,  x  350. 

„     264.  Spore  of  same,  x  1200. 

,,     265.  Cratcrium  Friesii,  Host.,  x  40. 


PLATE   11. 

FIG.  266.  Ceinkowskia  reticnlatay  Host.,  specimen,  x  40. 
„    267.  Spores  and  portion  of  capillitium  of  same,  showing  the  free, 

curved,  pointed  tips,  a,  a,  x  400. 
„     268.  Arcyria  chrysvspora,  Mass.,  spore,  x  1200. 
„     269.  Free  apex  of  thread  of  capillitium,  x  1200. 
„     270.  Arcyria  Bnckucdli,  Mass.,  tip  of  elater,  x  1200. 
„    271.  Spore  of  same,  x  1200. 

„     272.  Arcyria  paradoxa,  Mass.,  portion  of  an  elater,  x  1200. 
„     273.  Arcyria  serpula,  specimen,  x  40. 
„     274.  Tip  of  elater  of  same,  x  1200. 
„  274o.  Spore  of  same,  x  1200. 

„     275.  Physamm  cerebrinnm,  Mass.,  specimen,  x  40. 
„     276.  Physamm  contextum,  specimen,  x-  40. 
„     277.  Spores  and  portion  of  capillitium  of  same,  x  350. 
.,     278.  Spore  of  same,  x  1200. 
„     279.  Physamm  virescens,  sesstle  form,  x  40. 
„     280.  Stipitate  form  of  same,  x  40. 
„    281.  Aethalioid  form  of  same,  x  2. 
„    282.  Portion  of  capillitium  and  spores  of  same,  x  350. 
„     283.  Spore  of  same,  x  1200. 

„     284.  Physamm  cotujloineratum,  Fries,  group  of  sporangia,  x  40. 
„     285.  Spores  and  portion  of  capillitium  of  same,  x  350. 
„    286.  Spore  of  same,  x  1200. 
„     287.  Phy.iannn  Schnmacheri,  plants  in  different  stages  of  development, 

the  one  to  the  left  with  the  sporangium  broken  away  and 

showing  the  columella,  x  40. 
„    288.  Spore  of  same,  x  1200. 
„     289.  Craterinm  coitfusum,  Mass.,  group  of  sporangia,  x  40. 

PLATE   12. 

FIG.  290.  Physamm  psittacinnm,  plant,  x  40. 
„     291.  Spores  and  portion  of  capillitinm  of  same,  x  350. 


Description  of  the  Figures.  355 

FIG.  292.  Physarum  sinuosum,  entire  plants  after  dehiscence,  x  40. 

„    293.  Section  of  same,  x  50. 

„     294.  Badhamia  macrocarpa,  sessile  scattered  form,  x  50. 

„     295.  Stipitate  form  of  same,  x  50. 

„  296.  Spores  and  portion  of  oapillitium  attached  to  sporangial  wall  of 
same,  x  350. 

„    297.  Spore  of  same,  x  1200. 

„  298.  Craterinm  leucocephalum,  specimens  showing  the  various  stages 
of  dehiscence,  x  50. 

„  299.  Vertical  medium  section  of  same  showing  the  irregular  columella, 
dense  capillitium,  and  perforations  in  the  wall,  «,  x  100. 

„  300.  Portion  of  wall  of  sporangium  of  same,  seen  from  the  inside, 
showing  the  general  crust  of  lime  in  the  form  of  very  minute 
granules,  the  circular  discs  of .  organic  matter,  a,  and  the 
cavities  from  which  the  discs  have  been  removed,  b,  x  400. 

„  301.  One  of  the  discs  of  organic  matter  removed  from  wall  of  same, 
x  400. 

„  302.  Enerthenema  elegans,  specimen  from  which  the  wall  of  the  spor- 
angium has  been  removed  and  the  spores  blown  away,  showing 
the  thin  columella  with  its  apical  disc-like  portion  from  which 
the  capillitium  originates,  a  fragment  of  the  basal  portion  of 
sporangial  wall  still  adhering  to  the  stem  is  marked,  a,  x  50. 

„     303.  Portion  of  capillitium  and  spores  of  same,  x  350. 

„     304.  Spore  and  portion  of  capillitium  of  same,  x  1200. 

„     305.  Craterium  dictyospermum,  x  50. 

„  306.  Median  vertical  section  of  same,  showing  the  columella  and 
capillitium,  x  100. 

„  307.  Craterium  lilacinum,  x  50. 

„  308.  Spore  of  same  x  1200. 

„  309.  Craterium  rubiginosum,  X  50. 

„  310.  Spore  of  same,  x  1200. 

„  311.  Reticularia  lycoperdon,  a.  castaneum;  nat.  size. 

„  312.  Spore  of  same,  x  1200. 

„  313.  Cliondrioderma  Michelii,  a,  hypothallus,  x  50. 


GENERA  AND  SPECIES  EXCLUDED. 

Endocalyx,  B.  and  Br.,  belongs  to  the  Fungi. 

Reticularia  affinis,  B.  and  C.,      -\ 

atro-rufa,  B.  and  C.,  t  =  Trichosporium    Curtisii, 

venulosa,  B.  and  C.,  J       Mass"  Journ'  ^c" 1889' 

(       Trichosporium  phyrrho- 
Reticulana  phyrrhospora,  Berk.,  1  .          -..- 

'-<  =  sporium,    Mass.,    Journ. 
„          rubra,  Ay  res.  j        -./r        noon 

V       Myc.,  1889. 

{Trichosporium       apio- 
=  sporium,  Mass.,  Journ. 
Myc.,  1889. 

Badhamia  fulvescens,  Cke.,  is  probably  a  member  of  the 
Perisporiaceae. 

Didymium  bulbillosum,  Br.  and  Br.,  =  minute  galls  on  a  leaf, 
as  proved  by  examination  of  type. 


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INDEX  OF  GENERA. 

Synonyms  arc  printed  in  Italics. 


Alwisia,  B.  and  Br.,  126. 
Amaurochaete,  Rost. ,  89. 
Ancyrophorus,  Raunk.,  107. 
Arcyria,  Hill.,  141. 

Badhamia.  Berk.,  316. 
Brefeldia,  Rost.,  90. 

Ch on drio derma,  Rost.,  197. 
(JliromoxjMrium,  Sacc.,  93. 
Cienkowskia,  Rost,  336. 
Clathroptychium,  Rost.,  50. 
Cvjnatricha,  Preuss.,  72. 
GWnurta,  Rost.,  126,  130. 
Crateriachea,  Rost.,  344. 
Craterium,  Toent.,  262. 
Cribraria,  Pcrs.,  54. 

Dcrmodinm,  Rost.,  120. 
Diachaea,  Fries.,  258. 
Dictydium,  Schrad.,  67. 
Didymium,  Schrad.,  218. 

Echinostelium,  De  Bary,  108. 
Enerthenema,  Bowni.,  104. 
Enteridium,  Rost.,  44. 

Fuligo,  Rost.,  339. 

Hemiarcyi'ia,  Rost.,  141. 
Heterodictyoii,  Rost.,  54. 
Heterotrichia,  Mass.,  139. 


Lachnobolus.  Fries.,  136. 
Lamprodenna,  Rost.,  94. 
Leocarpus,  Rost.,  337. 
Lepidoderma,  De  Bary,  251. 
.Z/icea,  Schrad.,  35. 
Lindbladia,  Fries,  35. 
Lycogala,  Mich.,  119. 
Lycoprrdon,  Bux.,  120. 

Oligonema,  Rost.,  169. 
Ophiotheca,  Curr.,  130. 
Orcadella,  Wing.,  48. 
Orthotrichia,  Wing.,  109. 

Perichaena,  Fries.,  113,  130. 
Physarum,  Pers.,  273. 
Protodernui,  Rost.,  43. 
Protodermium,  Rost.,  43. 
Prototrichia,  Rost.,  126. 

Baciborskia,  Berl.,  108. 
Beticularia,  Bull.,  92. 
Rostafinskia,  Speg.,  91,  108. 

Siphoptychium,  Rost.,  88. 
Spumaria,  Pers.,  256, 
Stemonitis,  Gled.,  72. 

Tilmadoche,  Rost.,  327. 
Trichia,  Haller.,  126,  173. 
Tubulina,  Pers.,  35. 


INDEX  OF  SPECIES. 

Synonyms  are  in  roman  type. 


Abrupta  (Trich.)  187. 
acuminata  (Stem.)  78. 
Adnata  (Arcy.)  145. 
advenula  (Trich.)  181. 
dene-urn  (Olig.)  172. 
affine  (Phys.)  283. 
affine  (Chon.)  210. 
affine  (Didy.)  222. 
affinis  (Coma.)  77. 
affinis  (Arcy.)  157. 
affinis  (Trich.)  194. 
affinis  (Stem.)  77. 
alba  (Spurn.)  256. 
albescens  (Chon.)  209. 
albescens  (Dider.)  209. 
Albicans  (Phys.)  312. •' 
Alexandrowiczii  (Chon.)  212. 
Alexandrowiczii  (Badh.)  324. 
Alexandrowiczii  (Didy.)  232. 
angidatum  (Didy.)  249. 
anomala  (Tilm.)  333. 
anomala  (Ophi.)  135. 
anomala  (Trich.)  135. 
anomala  (Corn.)  135. 
anomalum  (Didy.)  245. 
anomalum  (Chon.)  245. 
antiades  (Trich.)  314. 
antiades  (Sphaer.)  314. 
antiades  (Phys.)  313. 
applanata  (Re  tic.)  45. 
applanata  (Peri.)  116. 
applanata  (Hemi.)  117. 
arcyrella  (Lach.)  138. 
arcyrioides  (Lamp.)  95. 
arcyrioides  (Lamp.)  102. 
arcyrionema  (Lamp.)  96. 
anjillacea  (Crib.)  65. 
argillacea  (Crib.)  37. 


artocreas  (Peri.)  13?. 
atra  (Stem.)  78. 
atra  (Amaur.)  89. 
atropurpureum  (Lyco.)  121. 
atrorubrum  (Phys.)  294. 
atnim  (Phys.)  314,  315. 
aurantiaca  (Arcy.)  155. 
aurantiaca  (Crib.)  57. 
aureum  (Crat.)  269. 
australe  (Steg.)  119. 
australis  (Rost.)  92. 
austrulis  (Didy.)  237, 
australis  (Peri.)  119. 

Balfouri  (Trich.)  186. 
Barteri  (Didy.)  231. 
Bauerlinii  (Stem.)  79. 
Bavarica  (Olig.)  170. 
Bavarica  (a)  170. 
Berkeley  ana  (Ener.)  106. 
Berkeleyanum  (Chon.)  214. 
Berkeleyi  (Phys.)  285. 
Berkeleyi  (Phys.)  242. 
Berkeleyi  (Clat.)  53. 
Berkeleyi  (Tilm.)  332. 
bicolor  (Arcy.)  153. 
bieniaszii  (Crib.)  60. 
bieniaszii  (Heter.)  61. 
bombarda  (Proto.)  128. 
Bonariensis  (Arcy.)  157. 
botryoides  (Didy.)  229. 
botrytis  (Trich.)  176. 
Braunianum  (Phys.)  308. 
brevifilitm  (Olig.)  173. 
Broomei  (Olig.)  172, 
brunnea  (Tubu.)  42. 
brunnea  (Licea)  42. 
brunneolum  (Phys.)  280. 


362          A  Monograph  of  the  Myxogastres. 


brunneolum  (Dider.)  281. 
BucknaUi  (Arcy.)  161. 
BucknaUi  (Hemi.)  161. 

caespitosa  (Tubu.)  43. 
caespitosum  (Phys.)  43,  311. 
calcar&nm  (Clion.)  218. 
calyculata  (Arcy.)  162. 
calyculata  (Hemi.)  162. 
candidum  (Phys.;  286. 
canoflavescens  (Ophi.)  134. 
Capense  (Phys.)  309. 
capsulifera  (Badh.)  319. 
Carestiannm  (Lepi.)  255. 
Carestiana  (Reti.)  255. 
Carlyleana  (Trich.)  174. 
Carlylei  (Phys.)  293. 
Carlylei  (Stem.)  84. 
Carmicliaeliannm  (Chon.)  202. 
Cannichaelianum  (Dider.)  202. 
Casparyi  (Siph.)  89. 
cavipes  (Tilm.)  333. 
cerebrinum  (Phys.)  306. 
cernuum  (Diet.)  67. 
Chailettii  (Lepi.)  255. 
Chamadeontina  (Proto.)  130. 
chondroderma  (Didy.)  232. 
chrysopeplum  (Phys.)  275. 
chrysosperma  (Ophi.)  131. 
chrysospernm  (Trich.)  189.. 
chrysospora  (Arcy.)  164. 
chrysospora  (Hemi.)  164. 
Ovryeotrichwm  (Phys.)  300. 
cinerea  (Arcy.)  151. 
cinerea  (Arcy.)  cribroidea  (Var.)  153. 
cinereum  (Phys.)  301. 
cinereum  (Phys.)  310. 
cinereum  (Pliys.)  298. 
cinnabarina  (Licea)  52. 
ciwndbarinum  (Clat.)  53. 
cinnamomea  (Arcy.)  158. 
circinans  (Lach.)  139. 
circumscissii  (Corn.)  131. 
circumscissa  (Ophi.)  131. 
citrinellum  (Phys.)  278. 
citrinum  (Phys.)  275. 
citrinum  (Phys.)  278. 
davata  (Arcy.)  165. 
clavata  (Hemi.)  166. 
davits  (Didy.)  230. 
coadiiata  (Badh.)  325. 
cditmbiiM  (Tilm.)  331. 
columbinum  (Phys.)  332. 
columbinum  (Didy).  331. 


confluens  (Coma.)  77. 
confliiens  (Didy.)  235. 
conjli(siis  (Stem.)  77. 
confnsa  (Peri.)  117. 
confiisa  (Diac.)  259. 
confusnm  (Crat.)  263. 
columbinum  (Lamp.)  100. 
commutable  (Didy.)  229. 
compacta  (Tilm).  332. 
complanatum  (Didy.)  234. 
compresseum  (Phys.)  286. 
concinnum  (Dider.)  308. 
concinnum  (Phys.)  308. 
congesta  (Lach.)  139. 
congestum  (Didy.)  292. 
conglomeratum  (Phys.)  301. 
conglomeratum  (Phys.)  304. 
conglomeratum  (Dider.)  301. 
conicum  (Dermo.)  123. 
conicum  (Lyco.)  123. 
covmatnm  (Didy.)  251. 
contextum  (Phys.)  303. 
cotitorta  (Trich.)  182. 
Cookei  (Didy.)  245. 
Cookei  (Chon.)  245. 
Cookei  (Chon.)  207. 
Cookei  (Arcy.)  154. 
corticcdis  (Peri.)  115. 
corticalis  (Peri.)  135. 
cransipes  (Ancy.)  107. 
cribrarioides  (Stem.)  104. 
cribroides  (Var.)  144. 
croceo-tlavium  (Didy.)  277. 
cntxtaceum  (Chon.)  215. 
crustaceum  (Dider.)  215. 
crustaceum  (Didy.)  235. 
crustacenm  (Dider.)  215. 
cubense  (Chon.)  213. 
cuprea  (Proto.)  129. 
cupripes  (Phys.)  284. 
Curtisii  (Did'y.)  272. 
Oiirtmi  (Crat.)  272. 
Curtisii  (Badh.)  272. 
Curtisii  (Scyp.)  272. 
cylindrica  (Tubu.)  39. 
cylindrica  (Licea)  53. 
cylindricum  (Crat.)  263. 

daedaleum  (Didy.)  250. 
decdbata  (Chon.)  207. 
dealbatum  (Didy.)  208. 
Decaisneana  (Trich.)  185. 
decipiens  (Arcy.)  158. 
decipiens  (Arcy.)  157. 


Index. 


363 


decipiens  (Badh.)  300. 
deplanatum  (Chon.)  215. 
depressa  (Peri.)  114. 
dictydioides  (Crib.)  65. 
dictyocarpa  (Corn.)  131. 
dictyonema  (Arcy.)  154. 
dictyospermum  (Crat.)  270. 
dictyospora  (Badh.)  27 1. 
dictyospora  (Stem.)  83. 
diderma  (Pbys.)  304. 
didermoides  (Phys.)  291. 
difforme  (Chon.)  213. 
digitata  (Stem.)  153. 
diyitata  (Arcy.)  153. 
discoideum  (Didy.)  229. 
dissiliens  (Clat.)  53. 
dissiliens  (Diet.)  54. 
Ditinari  (Phys.)  277. 
dubium  (Didy.)  244. 
dubium  (Didy.)  246. 

echinospora  (Didy.)  239. 
echinulata  (Stem.)  97. 
echinulatum  (Lamp.)  97. 
effusa  (Lind.)  41. 
effusa  (Tubu.)  41. 
effusum  (Phys.)  313. 
effusum  (Didy.)  236. 
data  (Crib.)  61. 
elegans  (Phys.)  313. 
elegans  (Crib.)  55. 
degaiis  (Ener.)  105. 
elegans  (Raci.)  108. 
elegantissimum  (Didy.)  243. 
elegantula  (Proto.)  128. 
dlipsosporum  (Phys.)  310. 
Mlisiana  (Lamp.)  98. 
epidendrum  (Lyco.)  121. 
erecta  (Trich.)  184. 
erythrinum  (Didy.)  275. 
erythrinum  (Didy.)  249. 
exigium  (Chon.)  240. 
eximium  (Didy.)  241. 

Fairmani  (Didy.)  249. 
fallax  (Licea)  47. 
fallax  (Chon.)  212. 
fallax  (Trich.)  192. 
Famintzini  (Phys.)  309. 
farinaceum  (Didy.)  219. 
farinaceum  (Dider.)  233. 
fascicnlata  (Badh.)  326. 
fasciculata  (/3.)  163. 
fiisciculatiim  (f.)  230. 


fasciculattun  (f.)  288. 
ferruginea  (Arcy.)  144. 
ferruginea  (Stem.)  85. 
flmetarium  (Phys.)  314. 
flagellifer  (Proto.)  127. 
flagellifer  (Derm.)  127. 
flagellifer  (Trich.)  127. 
flagcllifera  (Proto.)  128. 
flavicomum  (Didy.)  242. 
flavicomurn  (Phys.)  242. 
flavicomnm  (Phys.)  285. 
flavida  (Peri.)  171. 
flavidum  (Didy.)  251. 
fl.avidu.in  (Didy.)  251. 
flavidnm  (Phys.)  247. 
flavidum  (Didy.)  247. 
flavidum  (Olig.)  171. 
flavo-fuscum  (Lyco.1;  124. 
flavo-virens  (Phys.)  310. 
flavum  (Phys.)*279. 
flexuosa  (Tubu.)  37. 
flexuosa  (Licea)  37. 
floriforme  (Chon.)  308,  198. 
fluminensis  (Stem.)  80. 
fragilis  (Spha.)  176. 
fragilis  (Trich.)  175. 
fragilis  (Trich.)  176. 
Friesiana  (Coma.)  82. 
Frieslana  (Stem.)  82. 
Friesiana  (Peri.)  135. 
Frieaianum  (Chon.)  208. 
Friesii  (Crat.)  266. 
Friesii  (Arcy.)  152. 
Fnclceliana  (Badh.)  321. 
Fuckeliana  (Trich.)  321. 
Fuckelianum  (Didy.)  222. 
FiwkeliaHiim  (Lamp.)  103. 
Fiwkdii  (Crat.)  272. 
fuliginea  (Hemi.)  169. 
fuliginea  (Arcy.)  169. 
fulvella  (Badh.)  326. 
fulvellum  (Didy.)  237. 
fnlvvpes  (Didy.)  248. 
fidvum  (Lepi.)  253. 
furcatum  (Olig.)  173. 
fnsca  (Stem.)  72. 
fusca  (Stem.)  88. 
fttHca  (Arcy.)  149. 
fusco-atra  (Peri.)  115. 

Gabridlae  (Heter.)  140. 
galbeum  (Phys.)  296. 
geastroides  (Chon.)  201. 
geastroides  (Dider.)  201. 


364          A  Monograph  of  the  Myxogastres. 


glaucum  (Didy.)  284. 
ylaucum  (Phys.)  284. 
globosum  (Chon.)  206. 
(flobosiis  (Lach.)  137. 
'(jlobuliferum  (Phys.)  297. 
gracilenta  (Tilm.)  330. 
granulatum  (Phys.)  289. 
granulifera  (Badh.)  321. 
granuliierum  (Didy.)  321. 
Guaranitica  (Tubu.)  39. 
Guaranitica  (Licea  ?)  39. 
gyrocephala  (Tilm.)  335. 
gyrocephalum  (Didy.)  335. 
yyrosum  (Phys.)  307. 

Hariotii  (Arcy.)  155. 
herbatica  (Stem.)  87. 
heterotridiia  (Aric.)  174. 
hians  (Ailm.)  279. 
hiam  (Phys.)  296. 
Hookeri  (Diac.)  260. 
Hookeri  (Dider.)  261. 
Hookeri  (Lamp.)  261. 
hum-He  (Didy.)  248. 
hyalina  (Badh.)  319. 
hypnophilum  (Didy.)  224. 
hypuophilum  (Phys.)  314. 

inaurata  (Badh.)  324. 
incamata  (Arcy.)  145. 
incarnatiis  (Lach.)  139. 
inconspicua  (Trich.)  180. 
imitaiis  (Phys.)  292. 
inaequalis  (Phys.)  300. 
inermi*  (Arcy.)  157. 
insignia  (Arc}".)  148. 
intermedia  (Trich.)  188. 
intricata  (Arcy.)  144. 
intricata  (Crib.)  59. 
iridesceus  (Lamp.)  101. 
irideum  (Lamp.)  95. 
irregular  is  (Badh.)  323. 
irregularis  (Oplii.)  132. 
irregularis  (Peri.)  133. 
•  irregularis  (Arcy.)  146. 

Jackii  (Trich.)  188. 

Kalbreyeri  (Trich.)  191. 
Kakhbrenneri  (Phys.)  297. 
Karsteni  (Arcy.)  168. 
Kickxii  (Trich.)  195. 
l\»,:ii  (Lepi.)  255. 


laciniatum  (Dider.)  201. 
lateritia  (Trich.)  176. 
lu.fa  (Stem.)  79. 
laxa  (Coma.)  79. 
leicorpa  (Hemi.)  167. 
lelcorpa  (Arcy.)  167. 
leocarpoides  (Corn.)  167. 
leocarpoides  (Arcy.)  167. 
Leprieurii  (Arcy.)  153. 
leptotrichum  (Chon.)  244. 
leucophaeum  (Phys.)  288. 
leptotrichum  (Didy.)  243. 
leucocephalum  (Crat.)  267. 
leucophaeum  (Phys.),  o.  flexuosum, 

287. 

leucopliaeum  (Phys.)  288. 
Uucopoda  (Diac.)  259. 
leucopus  (Phys.)  287. 
leucosporum  (Lamp.)  96. 
Leveillei  (Phys.)  296. 
liceoides  (Peri.)  118. 
liceoUles  (Chon.)  215. 
licheniformis  (Spurn.)  292. 
lilacina  (Badh.)  271. 
lilacinum  (Crat.)  271. 
Lindheimeri  (Licea)  42. 
Lindheimeri  (Tubu.)  42. 
Listeri  (Lamp.)  97. 
Listeri  (Didy.)  244. 
lividum  (Phys.)  304. 
lividum  (Phys.)  284 
lobatum  (Didy.)  220. 
longa  (Coma.)  83. 
loiiga  (Stem.)  83. 
longipes  (Didy.)  236. 
Lorinseriana  (/3.)  175. 
lucidum  (Dider.)  204. 
lucidum  (Chon.)  204. 
luteolum  (Phys.)  309. 
luteo-valve  (Phys.)  310. 
LyaUil  (Chon.)  201. 
lycoperdi  (Crib.)  104. 
lycoperdon  (Retic.)  93. 
lycopodii  (Lamp.)  104. 

macrocarpa  (Badh.)  317. 
mficrocarpa  (Crib.)  56. 
macrocarpon  (Phys.)  317. 
macrosperma  (Stem.)  76. 
macrospermum  (Didy.)  228. 
macrosporum  (Enter.)  45. 
magna  (Badh.)  319. 
magnum  (Dicty.)  319. 
(Bref.)  91. 


Index- 


365 


maxima  (Stem.)  74. 
melanopeziza  (Arcy.)  162. 
melanopeziza  (Hemi.)  162. 
melaiwspora  (Badh.)  325. 
melleum  (Didy.)  278,  279. 
melleum  (Didy.)  276,  278. 
metallica  (Corn.)  130. 
metallica  (Proto.)  128. 
raetallica  (Trich.)  128. 
metallicum  (Phys.)  130. 
Michel ii  (Chon.)  204... 
Michelii  (Dider.)  205. 
microcarpa  (Badh.)  325. 
microcarpa  (Crib.)  63. 
microcarpa  (Peri.)  117. 
microcarpoii  (Didy.)  227. 
microcarpon  (Didy.)  226, 
microcephala  (Orth.)  109. 
microscopica  (Crib.)  62. 
microsperma  (Licea)  40. 
minima  (Crib.)  59. 
minima  (Tubu.)  36. 
minima  (Licea)  36. 
minima  (Trich.)  182. 
minimum  (Crat.)  272. 
ininuta  (Tilm.)  296. 
minuta  (Tilm.)  279. 
minutissima  (Crib.)  66. 
minutulum  (Olig.)  171. 
minutum  (Lamp.)  100. 
minutum  (Echin.)  109. 
minutum  (Lyco.)  125. 
minutum  (Crat.)  264. 
minutum  (Crat.)  273. 
mirabile  (Heter.)  60. 
mirabilis  (Crib.)  60. 
mirabilis  (Phys.)  334. 
Morgani  (Stem.)  86. 
muscicolum  (Phys.)  312. 
muscornm  (Ener.)  106. 
muscorum  (Phys.)  307. 
mutabile  (Chon.)  212. 
mutabile  (Crat.)  269. 
mutabile  (Crat.)  272. 
mutabilis  (Tilm.)  329. 

nana  (Trich.)  181. 
nefroideum  (Phys.)  285. 
neglectum  (Didy.)  231. 
neglectum  (Didy.)  224. 
nigrescens  (Lamp.)  96. 
nigrescens  (Lamp.)  102. 
nigripes  (a.)  227. 
nitens  (Badh.)  324. 


nitens  (Ophi.)  133. 
nitens  (PerU  133. 
nitens  (Olig.)  170. 
nitens  (Olig.)  173. 
nitens  (Trich.)  179. 
nitidissima  (Tubu.)  30. 
nitidum  (Lyco.)  122. 
niveum  (Chon.)  206. 
nivenm  (Chon.)  207. 
nodulosa  (Badh.)  322. 
nodulomm  (Phys.)  322. 
nutans  (Arcy.)  150. 
nutans  (Crat.)  266. 
nutans  (Tilm.)  327. 

ollonga  (Tilm.)  S34. 
oblonga  (Trich.)  3S4. 
obovatum  (Lepi.)  254. 
obrusseum  (Didy.)  241. 
obrusseum  (Lidy.)  247. 
obrusseum  (Didy.)  240. 
obrusseum  (Phys.)  241. 
ochraceum  (Chon.)  216. 
ochraceum  (Lyco.)  125. 
Oerstedtii  (Chon.)  203. 
Oerstedtii  (Crat.)  266. 
Oerstedtii  (Arcy.)  147. 
olivaeeum  (Enter.)  44. 
operculata  (Orca.)  49. 
ornatum  (Phys.)  295. 
ovispora  (Badh.)  326. 

papaveracea  (Badh.)  323. 
pallida  (Badh.)  323. 
pallida  (Peri.)  118. 
pallida  (Ophi.)  136. 
pallidum  (Steg.)  119. 
panicea  (Badh.)  318. 
paniceum  (Phys.)  318. 
pannorum  (Licea)  118. 
papillata  (Ener.)  105. 
paradoxa  (Arcy.)  159. 
paradoxa  (Hemi.)  160. 
Paraguayense  (Didy.)  250. 
pedunculatum  (Crat.)  264. 
penetralis  (Badh.)  98. 
perreptans  (Licea)  91. 
pertusum  (Didy.)  241. 
Petersii  (Phys.)  295,  287. 
pezizoideum  (Didy.)  239. 
Phillipsii  (Phys.)  290. 
physarioides  (Chon.)  214. 
physarioides  (Lamp.)  103. 
physarioides  (Stem.)  96. 


366  A  Monograph  of  the  Myxogastres. 


physarioides  (Didy.)  233. 
piceum  (Phys.)  313. 
piriformis  (Crib.)  55. 
platypus  (Agaricus)  239. 
platypus  (Didy.)  239. 
polyaedran  (Phys.)  316. 
polymorphism  (Phys.)  283. 
polymorphum  (Phys.)  251. 
pomiformis  (Arcy.)  151. 
praecox  (Didy.)  223. 
proximella  (Trich.)  180. 
proximum  (Didy.)  238. 
pruinosum  (Didy.)  288. 
pseudaecldium  (Peri.)  119. 
psittacinum  (Phys.)  274. 
pidchella  (Stem.)  86. 
pulchella  (Coma.)  86. 
pulcherrimum  (Phys.)  293. 
pulcherripes  (Phys.)  315. 
punicea  (Arcy.)  142. 
punicea  (Arcy.)  149. 
purpurascens  (Trich.)  177. 
purpurea  (Crib.)  57. 
pusiUa  (Hemi.)  168. 
pus  ilia  (Arcy.)  168. 
pusilla  (Hemi.)  168. 
pusilla  (Trich.)  195. 
pusilla  (Proto.)  44. 
pusillum  (Proto.)  44. 
pusiLlum  (Proto.)  43. 
pusillum  (Didy.)  238. 
pyriforine  (Crat.)  264. 

quercina  (Peri.)  115. 

Maciborsckii  (Arcy.)  156. 
radiatum  (Didy.)  229. 
radiatum  (Chon.)  200,  202. 
Ravenelii  (Didy.)  281. 
Bavenelii  (Phys.)  281. 
Reuderi  (Phys.)  282. 
reniformis  (Trich.)  184. 
reuiformis  (Tilm.)  336. 
reticulata  (Lict-a)  253. 
reticulata  (Licea)  133. 
reticulata  (Ophi.)  133. 
reticulata  (Peri.)  133. 
reticulatum  (Chon.)  216. 
reticulatum  (Didy.)  253. 
reticulatum  (Lepi.)  252. 
reticulatum  (Phys.)  314. 
robttsta  (Lamp.)  99. 
roseum  (Phys.)  294. 
Rostafaisldi  (Lach.)  138. 


Rostqfinskii  (Peri.)  117. 
Rostafinskii  (Phys.)  301. 
Rostrupii  (Enter.)  45. 
Rozeana  (Retic.)  47. 
Rozeanum  (Enter.)  47. 
rubiformis  (Arcy.)  158. 
rubiyinosa  (Badh.)  270. 
rubiginosum  (Crat.)  270. 
rubiginosum  (Phys.)  30^. 
rubiginosum  (Scyphium)  270. 
rufa  (Crib.)  63. 
rufibasis  (Phys.)  296. 
rufibasix  (Phys.)  279. 
rufipes  (J3  )  227. 

rufo-cinnamomeum  (Lyco.)  125. 
rugulosnm  (Clat.)  51. 

Saccardianum  (Lamp.)  101. 
Saundersii  (Chon.)  209. 
Sauteri  (Chon.)  217. 
Sauteri  (Lamp.)  100. 
scabra  (Trich.)  192. 
Schimperi  (Lamp.)  99. 
Schroeteri  (Phys. )  280. 
Schumacheri  (Phys.)  275. 
Schumacher!  (Phys.)  335. 
Schumacheri  (Phys.)  278. 
Schweinitxii  (Corn.)  52. 
Schiceinitzii  (Phys.)  311. 
scrobiculatum  (Didy.)  301. 
scrobicrdatum  (Phys.)  300. 
scyphoides  (Phys.)  282. 
serpula  (Arcy.)  164. 
serpula  (Arcy.)  136. 
aerptda  (Didy.)  234. 
serpida  (Ophi.)  135. 
serpula  (Hemi.)  165. 
simile  (Phys.)  286. 
$i mills  (Arcy.)  156. 
simplex  (Chon.)  217. 
simula'ns  (Chon.)  209. 
simulates  (Enter.)  47. 
siiutpimtm  (Didy.)  246. 
sinuosum  (Phys.)  305. 
spadiceum  (Ostr.)  52. 
speciosa  (Tubu.)  38. 
spleiidens  (Crib.)  62. 
splendens  (Stem.)  74. 
splendens  (Diac. )  261. 
spermoides  (Licea)  37. 
spermuides  (Tubu.)  37. 
spumarioidea  (Licea)  42. 
.spuiiianoidea  (Tubu.)  42. 
spumar'wides  (Didy.)  232. 


Index. 


367 


spumarioides  (Chon.)  232. 
«/m///i H/o.siwi  (Didy.)  223. 
Stahlii  (Chon.)  218. 
stellare  (Dider.)  200. 
stellatnm  (Lepi.)  252. 
stipitata  (Arcy.)  163. 
stipitata  (Henri.)  163. 
stipitata  (Licea)  38. 
stipitata  (Tubu.)  38. 
stipitata  (Spor.)  219. 
stipitatum  (y.)  277. 
straminiformis  (Crib.)  335. 
striatum  (Phys.)  243. 
stricta  (Arcy.)  151. 
stromateum  (Chon.)  233. 
subcaespitosa  (Stem.)  80. 
subdictyospermum  (Chon.)  208. 
subfmca  (Trich.)  183. 
subglobosum  (Phys.)  300. 
sublateritium  (Chon.)  211. 
siiboenenm  (Lamp.)  95. 
subroseum  (Didy.)  312. 
subsessilis  (Diac.)  262. 
Suksdorfii  (Coma.)  76. 
Suksdorfii  (Stem.)  76. 
sulphurea  (Trich.)  186. 
sidphureum  (Phys.)  311. 
superba  (Trich.)  194. 

Tatrica  (Crib.j  62. 
tenella  (Crib.)  58. 
teiierrima  (Stem.)  81. 
tenerrimnm  (Didy.)  247. 
tenuissima  (Licea)  52. 
terrestre  (Lyco.)  122. 
testaceum  (Chon.)  210. 
thyoteum  (Phys.)  277. 
tlgriimm  (Lepi.)  253. 
Trevelyana  (Chon.)  202. 
Trevelyani  (Leang.)  203. 
tubulina  (Stem.)  87. 


tussulayinis  (Didy.)  244. 
tussulaginis  (Phys.)  245. 
typhina  (Coma.)  75. 
typhina  (Stem.)  74. 

umbrina  (Arcy.)  147. 
umbrina  (Ophi.)  135. 
utricularis  (Badh.)  319. 

vaccinum  (Chon.)  217. 
vaccinum  (Dider.)  217. 
mrta  (Badh.)  319. 
varia  (Trich.)  178. 
variabilis  (Licea)  36. 
venosum  (Diet.)  68. 
vermiculare  (Phys.)  135. 
vermicularis  (Ophi.)  134. 
vermicularis  (Peri.)  135. 
verna  (Badh.)  324. 
vernicosa  (Arey.)  142. 
verrucosa  (Trich.)  191. 
versicolor  (Arcy.)  149. 
vprsipelle  (Didy.)  249. 
violacea  (Lamp.)  95. 
violaceum  (Lamp.)  94. 
virescfns  (Phys.)  277. 
virginenm  (Var.)  226. 
viridis  (Tilm.)  329. 
vitellina  (Arcy.)  150. 
vitellinnm  (Poly.)  311. 
vulgare  (Crat.)  263. 
oulyaris  (Crib.)  61. 

Weinmanni  (Didy.)  248. 
WigaiuJii  (Arcy.)  163. 
Wrightii  (Corn.)  132. 
Wrightii  (Ophi.)  132. 

Zeylanicum  (Didy.)  240. 
Zeylanicum  (Chon.)  240. 


RICHARD  CLAY  &  SONS,  LIMITKD, 
LONDON  &  BVNOAY. 


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Bot     Mas  see,  George 
Thallop     Monograph  of  the  Myxogas- 
tres 

Biological 
&    Medical