A.Columella percurrent; capillitium from a disk at the apex1.EnerthenemaB.Columella scarce reaching the centre of the sporangium.a.Capillitium not forming a net2.Clastodermab.Capillitium forming an intricate net3.Lamprodermac.Minute, capillitium rudimentary4.Echinostelium
1. EnerthenemaBowman
Sporangia stipitate, the stipe extended as a columella, which entirely traverses the sporangium and forms at the apex an expanded disk; from this depends the capillitium.
Key to the Species of Enerthenema
A.Spores free1.E. papillatumB.Spores in clusters2.E. berkeleyanum
1.Enerthenema papillatum(Pers.)Rost.
Plate V., Fig. 3.
Sporangia scattered or crowded, stipitate, spheroidal, naked, black fuscous, above, shining, adorned with a minute, black papilla; stipe black, opaque, conical or attenuate upward, about equal to the peridium; columella at the apex expanded into a shining disk; capillitium springing from the lower side of the disk or from its edge, made up of scarcely forked threads which are free below; spores violaceous or fuscous black, minutely warted, 10–12 µ.
Rare. Wisconsin, Ohio, South Carolina, Illinois, Pennsylvania, Iowa, Colorado.
This is one of the few species so well marked that Persoon's description,l. c., is definitive: "Stylidio toto penetrante. Capillitium exacte globosum, sub-compactum, in eius apice stylidium papillæ in modum prominet." For this reason Bowman's specific nameelegansis discarded.
2.Enerthenema berkeleyanumRost.
This species corresponds to the preceding in all respects except in the fact that the spores are clustered in groups of four to twelve and are a little larger, 11–13 µ, strongly spinulose on the exposed surface.
Dr. Sturgis reports this from Colorado,l. c., but discards Rostafinski's specific name on the ground that the type has disappeared; only the spores of some fungus hyphæ remain in the place and these may have been mistaken by Berkeley. This seems hardly possible since such supposition would not account for the generic reference either by Berkeley (and Broome) or by Rostafinski. The description in theMonographis minute as that of one who had the form under his lenses. RostafinskisawBerkeley's specimens.
For a similar case, see underPrototrichia metallica, Mycetozoa 2nd ed., p. 261.
South Carolina, type; Colorado.
2. ClastodermaBlytt
Sporangium globose, distinct, stipitate; the columella short or obsolete; the capillitium of few sparsely branched threads, which bear at their tops the persistent fragments of the peridium, but are not otherwise united.
Distinguished fromLamprodermaby the peculiar manner in which the peridium is ruptured, and by the simplicity of the scanty capillitium. So far there appears to be but a single species.
1.Clastoderma debaryanumBlytt.
Plate XIII., Fig. 6, andPlate XVI., Fig. 13.
Sporangia scattered or gregarious, very minute, 1-12 to ¼ mm. in diameter, the peridium fugacious, except the minute patches that adhere to the capillitial branchlets, and the slight annulus at the base of the columella; stipe long, unequal, dark below, above paler; columella almost none, giving early rise to the comparatively few slender threads which by their repeated forking make up the capillitium; spores globose, even, violaceous, 8–9 µ.
Reported in the United States so far from Maine, Pennsylvania, Ohio, and Illinois.
The sporangia are very small, but beautiful, delicate little structures, found on the bark of living red oak in this country; in Norway it seems to have been seen first on a dead polyporus. Its minuteness doubtless causes it to be generally overlooked,N. A. F., 2498.
3. LamprodermaRostafinski
Sporangia stipitate, globose, or ellipsoid; columella cylindric or inflated or clavate at the apex, scarcely attaining half the height ofthe peridium; peridium shining with metallic tints, deciduous, except where, at the base of the columella, it forms a ring around the stipe; capillitium rising in tufts or by simple branches from the columella, the threads regularly forked, generally united into a net.
The lamprodermas are distinguished from the comatrichas, to which they are most nearly allied, by the arrangement of the capillitium, its development from the apex only of the columella, the continuation of the stipe within the peridium. In other words, the peridium leaves the stipe some distance below the point where the lowest capillitial branches take origin. In mature specimens the peridium has often entirely disappeared, its only trace, a collar, more or less distinct, around the stipe, marking the beginning of the columella. Nevertheless the peridium is far more persistent than in any comatricha, and shows in yet greater brilliancy the wondrous metallic tints and iridescence ofComatrichaandDiachaea. Older authors, so far as can be seen, distributed the species betweenPhysarumandStemonitis.
Key to the Species of Lamproderma
A.Peridium metallic blue.a.Stipe short, stout.1. Capillitium tips colorless5.L. violaceumb.Stipe long, slender.1. Capillitium of dark, tapering, oft-united threads3.L. columbinum2. Capillitial threads rigid, dark brown, seldom united4.L. scintillansB.Peridium not blue, silvery.a.Stipe long, slender.1. Capillitium very intricate, forming a compact net6.L. arcyrionema2. Capillitium of rigid dark brown threads1.L. physaroidesb.Stipe short, heads large, 1 mm. or more2.L. robustum
1.Lamproderma physaroides(Alb. & Schw.)Rost.
Sporangia gregarious, wide-spreading, globose, the peridium persistent with a silver metallic, sometimes brassy, lustre; stipe long, brown or black, tapering upward; hypothallus well developed, brownor purple, usually not continuous; columella swollen, obtuse, short at best, hardly attaining the centre of the sporangium; capillitium very rigid, of simple or sparingly branched, dark-brown threads radiating from the clavate apex of the columella and only here and there anastomosing toward the surface, the ultimate divisions distinctly rough; spores lilac brown, rough, 10–12.5 µ.
This species is well described and illustrated in Rostafinski'sMonograph. It is well marked by its clavate columella and peculiarly simple, dark rigid capillitium, the branches of which rise in great numbers immediately from the columella, and maintain their primitive thickness during the greater part of their length. The transverse vincula are often at right angles to the principal branches, and the meshes, where formed, are often long and rectangular. Externally, it resemblesL. arcyrionema, but is by its spores and capillitium instantly distinguished. Rostafinski gives the spores 12.5–14.2 µ. Large spores are less common in the specimens before us. Lister figures a sessile variety.
In our first edition this species was entered from lists published for New England, New York, and Ohio. The intervening years, however, have brought no confirmation. Specimens from Maine and Ohio, with large spores, representL. columbinum, and those cited for New York are forms ofL. violaceum. It is accordingly doubtful thatL. physaroides(A. & S.) Rost. occurs in North America. That it is to be found in Europe there seems no doubt. The figure and description by Schweinitz,l. c., may indeed be inconclusive, but Rostafinski's citation and abundant description leave no doubt as to his opinion; while numerous localities named would indicate adequate material. What Rostafinski described will no doubt obtain wider recognition some day.
2.Lamproderma robustumEll. & Evh.
Sporangia gregarious, globose, dull black, the peridium when present silvery, shining, or simply smooth, transparent and without iridescence,stipitate; stipe short, black, tapering rapidly upward, annulate with the persisting base of the peridium; columella short, thick, truncate, and widened at the top; hypothallus well developed, brown or purple; capillitium dense, made up of dark brown branches, numerous and rather slender, repeatedly branched and anastomosing toward the surface to form a slight delicate network with abundant free ends; spores dark purple brown, rough, 14–16 µ.
This species in outward appearance resemblesL. physaroides, from which it is easily distinguished by the much greater diameter of the globose sporangium, 1 mm. or more. The persistent base of the peridium is also characteristic, very prominent sometimes, and visible to the naked eye. The capillitium is also unlike that ofL. physaroides; resembles more nearly that ofL. violaceum. From the latter speciesL. robustumis distinguished by the color of the peridium, and by the larger, darker spores and generally different capillitium. In our former edition this is calledL. sauteriRost. That much-quoted author distinguishedL. violaceumandL. sauteri; the English authors make the last named a variety only of the former. This our American species isnot.
It is, as presented in our western mountains, clear-cut, well defined, not a variety of anything. The original name is therefore restored.
Lamproderma arcyrioides(Somm.) Morgan is probably a form ofL. columbinum. The originalL. arcyrioideshas not yet been certainly identified in North America; see following species.
Colorado, Oregon, Washington, California.
3.Lamproderma columbinum(Pers.)Rost.
Sporangia scattered, gregarious; rich violet or purple with metallic iridescence, globose, stipitate; the stipe long, three-fourths the total height, slender, subulate, black; hypothallus scant, purplish or brown; columella small, one-third the height or less, tapering or acute, black; the capillitium brown throughout, not dense, arising from nearly all parts of the columella, freely branching and anastomosing to an open, large-meshed network; spore-mass black, spores by transmitted light dark brown, rough, 10–12 µ.
Rostafinski distinguished this beautiful species by the color of the peridium and the conic columella. According to Mr. Lister, Rostafinski was not specially careful in labelling his material, different forms having been included under this specific name. Nevertheless, the description is well drawn, and excludesL. physaroidescompletely. At all events our American specimens correspond so well with the description ofL. columbinum(Pers.) Rost. that there seems no doubt that we have here what the Polish author figured and described, whether or not he was always consistent in applying his labels. The color distinguishes at sight the present species fromL. physaroides, and the capillitium and large rough brown spores distinguish it fromL. violaceum. The capillitium of the minuteL. scintillansis much denser and more rigid, and the spores smaller. The stipe when dry is ciliate.
This is the common species of our western mountains, especially on the Pacific slope. In the Cascades every dark ravine is certain to show it in later summer and autumn, far extended colonies covering the moist surfaces of every mouldering log; the myriad globoid sporangia giving back when brought to the sunlight the most extravagant blues and greens with all the splendor of metallic sheen, their brilliant beauty never fails to quicken the attention of even the most insensate tourist.
Abundant in the western forests, in the east extremely rare; Maine, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Washington, Oregon; Vancouver, Canada.
4.Lamproderma scintillans(Berk. & Br.)Morg.
Plate V., Figs. 2, 2a.
Sporangia gregarious, scattered, globose or depressed-globose, rich metallic blue or purple, iridescent, stipitate; the stipe long, slender, even, inclined and nodding or sometimes erect; hypothallus small, circular; columella cylindric, small, not reaching the centre, black;capillitium dense, of rigid, straight, sparingly branched or anastomosing, brown threads, which are sometimes white or colorless just as they leave the columella; spores globose, rough, violaceous brown, 8 µ.
This isL. irideumof Cooke and of Massee'sMonograph. Its capillitium is remarkable, and constitutes an easy diagnostic mark. The threads appear at first sight entirely simple, but are really several times furcate, and not infrequently anastomose. The spores are covered with sparsely sown large papillæ, easily seen under moderate magnification.
This is one of our earliest species. To be sought in May on beds of decaying oak leaves in the woods, especially in wet places, near streams, etc.
Rare. New England, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Iowa.
5.Lamproderma violaceum(Fries)Rost.
Sporangia closely gregarious or scattered, depressed-globose, more or less umbilicate below, metallic blue or purple, sessile or short stipitate; stipe stout, dark brown or black, even; hypothallus, when the sporangia are crowded, a thin, continuous, purplish membrane; when the sporangia are scattered, the hypothallus discoidal; columella cylindric or tapering slightly upward, the apex obtuse, black, attaining the centre of the sporangium; capillitium lax and flaccid, made up of flexuous threads branching and anastomosing to form a network, open in the interior, more dense without, the threads at first pale brown as they leave the columella, becoming paler outward to the colorless tips; spores minutely warted, violaceous gray, 9–11 µ.
This is our most common species; found on decaying sticks and logs late in the fall. Its pale capillitium will usually distinguish it, especially where the sporangia are empty; then the pallid free extremities of the capillitial branches give to the little spheres under the lens a white or hoary appearance not seen in any other species.
The plasmodium is at first almost transparent, then amber tinted, sending up tiny semi-transparent spheres on shining brownish stalks.As the changes approach maturity, the sporangia become jet-black, and only at last when the spores are ready for dispersal does the peridium assume its rich metallic purple tints. Colonies a meter in length, two or three decimeters in width, are sometimes seen!
New England, New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Iowa, South Dakota; Toronto. Common.
6.Lamproderma arcyrionemaRost.
Plate V., Figs. 1, 1a.
Sporangia gregarious, scattered, globose, silvery gray or bronze, iridescent, erect, stipitate; stipe black, long, two-thirds to three-fourths the total height, slender, rigid; columella slender, cylindric, attaining about one-third the height of the sporangium when it breaks into the primary branches of the capillitium; capillitium exceedingly intricate, made up of slender, flexuous brown threads which frequently branch and anastomose to form an elegant round-meshed network resembling that ofArcyria, free ultimate branchlets not numerous; spores in mass jet-black, by transmitted light violaceous, smooth, or only faintly warted, 6–8 µ.
In outward appearance this species resemblesL. physaroides, but is easily recognizable by its very peculiar capillitium. This, in its primary branching, resembles a comatricha. In typical forms, the columella branches at the apex only, generally into two strong divisions which then break up irregularly and anastomose in every direction. This seems to have been the form present to Rostafinski when he wrote "columella truncate." In Central American and some North American specimens, the branching is very different; the twigs leave the columella at various points almost down to the annulus, and the entire effect is dendroid. The columella is lost almost at once. A small form of this species was formerly distributed in the United States asComatricha friesianaDeBy. This circumstance led the present author to describe Central American forms asC. shimekiana. Judging from a remark by Massee (Mon., p. 97), a similar confusion seems to have prevailed in Europe. As a matter of fact, the resemblancebetweenC. friesiana, i. e.C. nigra, and the present species is sufficiently remote.
Lamproderma minutumRostafinski seems to be a small form of this species. Rostafinski bases his diagnosis upon the branching of the columella, which is, as we have seen, inconstant, and upon the colorless capillitium. This feature in specimens examined is also inconstant.
Occurring in large colonies on barkless decaying logs of various species; the plasmodium almost colorless.
New England, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Louisiana, Texas, Mexico, Nicaragua; Vancouver's Island; Ontario, Toronto,—Miss Currie.
4. EchinosteliumDeBary
Sporangia distinct, globose, minute, the structure limited to a few imperfect rib-like, loosely joined branches developed from the short columella or stem-top, sustaining the spores.
A single species:—
1.Echinostelium minutumDeBy.
Plate XIX., Figs. 11 and 11a
Sporangia distinct, scattered, globose, very minute, 40–50 µ, stipitate; the stipe, hair-like subulate, granular but hyaline; columella minute or none; capillitium consisting of a few arcuate spinose threads loosely united supporting the uncovered spores, spores globose, colorless, smooth, 7–8 µ.—Rostafinski.
This very singular and diminutive form, the least of all slime-moulds, is probably widely distributed but the accident of discovery is rare. DeBary found it once only, at Frankfurt am Main.
Miss Lister reports its occurrence in England and Austria. In the United States it has been seen but once on certain laboratory material from Massachusetts, studied by Dr. Thaxter.
Our drawing is after Rostafinski, IV., 68; Miss Lister follows No. 54, and so finds a bit of peridium below the two spores shown in the figure, one on each side of a microscopiccolumella.
This is almost the only taxonomic suggestion;—a mere suggestion; this microscopic bit of anxious life is but a shadow,—a shade, a shadow of a lamproderma!
Order III
CRIBRARIALES
Fructification plasmodiocarpous or æthalioid, or consisting of distinct sporangia; peridia membranaceous at maturity, more or less evanescent, opening irregularly or by means of a delicate network, which involves at least the upper part of the sporangium; capillitium usually none; spores of some shade of brown, umbrine, rarely purplish.
This order is distinguished—except in a single case—by the entire absence of true capillitium, the pallid or brown spores, the gradual evolution of distinct sporangia in which provision for spore-dispersal is made by peridial modification especially at the sporangium-top.
Key to the Families of the Cribrariales
A.Fructification plasmodiocarpous scattered as if made up of the segments of the plasmodial netLiceacæB.Fructification of distinct and separate sporangia, long stipitate, opening by a delicate operculum at the topOrcadellaceæC.Fructification æthalioid, the sporangia generally more or less tubular, often prismatic by mutual pressure; opening by rupture of the apex, the lateral walls entireTubiferaceæD.Fructification æthalioid, the sporangia ill defined, their walls more or less perforate, frayed, or dissipated, forming a pseudo-capillitium,ReticulariaceæE.Fructification of distinct and separate sporangia, the walls more or less reticulately perforate especially aboveCribrariaceæ
A.LICEACEÆ
A single genus,—
1. Licea(Schrader)Rost.
Sporangia plasmodiocarpous, looped, irregular, or distinct, sessile,and regularly rounded or elliptical; the peridium simple, rather firm, ruptured irregularly or by simple fissure; hypothallus none.
This genus is distinguished from other similar plasmodiocarpous forms by the extreme simplicity of its structure. There is absolutely no capillitium nor anything like it, simply a mass of spores surrounded by thin membranous walls. The spores range from pale olive, colorless under the lens, through various shades of brown to dusky almost black inL. pusilla. Schrader included theTubiferaspecies.
Key to the Species of Licea
A.Plainly plasmodiocarpous1.L. variabilisB.Opening by regular segments.1. Segments two only2.L. biforis2. Segments several.i. Spores brown3.L. minimaii. Spores dusky olive4.L. pusilla
1.Licea variabilisSchrader.
Plate XII., Figs. 7 and 8.
Fructification plasmodiocarpous, elongate, hamate, annulate or irregularly repent, very dark brown, rough, the peridium of two layers, the outer closely adhering, dark brown, thick, opaque, the inner delicate, membranous, very thin, transparent, iridescent, rugulose, rupturing irregularly; hypothallus none; spores in mass pale yellow with a greenish tinge, by transmitted light nearly colorless, large, globose, minutely spinulose, 12.5 µ.
This is the largest species of the genus as represented in this country, the plasmodiocarps of various lengths and from .5–.7 µ wide. Somewhat resembling some species ofOphiotheca, but of much darker color. The outer peridium is deciduous, and the inner slowly ruptures, by irregular fissures discharging the spores. The plasmodium, according to Schrader, is white. Rare. Probably overlooked.
Any good reason for changing the name given to this form so wellillustrated and described by Schrader does not appear. Persoon quotes his predecessor's species and addsL. flexuosaon his own account; strangely enough, since Schrader expressly describesL. variabilis, "in uno eodemque enim loco peridium hemisphericum, ovatum, oblongumflexuosumvel aliter formatum diversi est diametri."
New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Iowa.
Licea flexuosaPers. is by Schweinitz reported from Pennsylvania. It is described as having brown spores, 10–15 µ, spinulose.
2.Licea biforisMorgan.
Plate XII., Fig. 10.
Sporangia regular, compressed, sessile on a narrow base, gregarious; the wall firm, thin, smooth, yellow brown in color and nearly opaque, with minute, scattered granules on the inner surface, at maturity opening into two equal parts, which remain persistent by the base; spores yellow-brown in mass, globose or oval, even, 9–12 u.
Minute but perfectly regular, almost uniform, corneous-looking sporangia are thickly strewn over the inner surface of decaying bark. Each, at first elongate, pointed at each end, opens at length by fissure along the upper side setting free the minute yellowish spores. Unlike anything else; reminding one, at first sight, of some species ofGlonium.
Inside bark ofLiriodendron. Ohio, Canada.
3.Licea minimaFries.
Sporangia gregarious, umber-brown, spherical or hemispherical, sessile; the peridium opaque, brown, opening along prefigured lines, forming segments with dotted margins, ultimately widely reflexed; spores in mass dark brown, by transmitted light paler with olive tints, minutely roughened, 10–11 µ.
The very minute sporangia, 3 mm., of this species cause it to be overlooked generally by collectors. Nevertheless, it may be found on decaying soft woods, in August, probably around the world. Thenumber of sporangia produced by one plasmodium is in Iowa also small. The larger specimens might be mistaken for species ofPerichaena, but are easily distinguished by the regular and lobate dehiscence. The plasmodium is yellow.
Dr. George Rex, in almost the last paper from his hand, gives an interesting account of this diminutive species. Among various gatherings studied he found a black variety, a melanistic phase, so to say, and was able to follow the evolution of the sporangia from the yellow plasmodium. The sutures by which the peridium opens, first show signs of differentiation by change of color from yellow through garnet to black. Later the entire wall undergoes similar color changes, beginning next the completed sutural delimitations. Of the open peridia, the reflexed segments remind one of certain didermas, asD. radiatum. SeeBot. Gaz., Vol. XIX., p. 399.
New England, New York, Pennsylvania, Iowa.
4.Licea pusillaSchrader.
Sporangia scattered, gregarious, depressed-globose, sessile on a flattened base, dark brown, shining, .5–1 mm.; peridium thin, dark colored, translucent, dehiscent above by regular segments; spore-mass almost black, spores by transmitted light olivaceous brown, smooth, or nearly so, 15–17 µ.
Fries,l. c., makes this a physarum, and argues the case at length, evidently with such efficiency that he greatly impressed Rostafinski, who did not make it a physarum indeed, but actually gave it generic place and station of its own; a physarum may do without calcium in the capillitium perhaps, but not be entirely non-calcareous; so he writesProtoderma(first cover) and places the species number 1 on the long list of endosporous forms. Even in his 'Dodatek', or supplement, as we should say, he refers to the thing again, but only to correct the inflexional ending of the specific name; he writesProtoderma pusillum(Schrader) Rost!
Schweinitz reports the species for America and Morgan citesSchweinitz and reports it for Ohio, but we find it in no American collections.
B.ORCADELLACEÆ;
Sporangia distinct, minute, long stipitate, opening above by a distinct lid.
A single genus,—
OrcadellaWingate
Sporangia furnished with rigid, unpolished stipes, blending above with the substance of the thick unpolished walls; the operculum thin, delicate, membranaceous.
A single species,—
1.Orcadella operculataWingate.
Plate XII., Fig. 11.
Sporangia scattered, gregarious, ellipsoidal, ovoid, obconical or nearly globose, dull brown or blackish, the wall simple, thick, coarse, at the top replaced by a delicate, thin, yellowish, iridescent, lustrous or vernicose membrane which forms a circular, smooth, or wrinkled lid, soon deciduous; stipe of varying height, rough from deposit of plasmodic refuse; spores, in mass yellowish, globose, smooth, 8–11 µ.
This curious little species, well described by its discoverer, appears to be very rare. At least it is seldom collected; overlooked by reason of its minuteness. It is a stipitate licea, or a lid-covered cribraria; perhaps nearer the former. It affects the bark of species ofQuercus, and seems to be associated there withClastoderma debaryanum. N. A. F., 2497.
Pennsylvania, Maine.
C.TUBIFERACEÆ
Fructification æthalioid or of distinct sporangia; sporangia well defined, tubular, often prismatic by mutual pressure, seated on a common, well-marked hypothallus, at length dehiscent by the irregularrupture of the peridium, in typical cases at the apex, its walls remaining then otherwise entire; capillitial threads in No. 3, only.
Key to the Genera of the Tubiferaceæ
A.Spores olivaceous; sporangia in one or several series,1.LindbladiaB.Spores umber; sporangia in a single series2.TubiferaC.Sporangia stipitate; capillitium of tubular threads3.Alwisia
1. LindbladiaFries
Fructification æthalioid; the sporangia short, tubular, sometimes superimposed, sometimes forming a simple stratum, in the latter case generally sessile, but sometimes short-stipitate, the peridium at first entire, at length opening irregularly either at the sides or apex, beset with granules; spores olivaceous.
This genus was established by Fries in 1849 to accommodate a single species of wide distribution and somewhat varying habit, which is neither a tubifera nor yet a cribraria and offers points of resemblance to each. It is distinct in that the sporangia, while often in single series, are yet often superimposed. It resemblesTubiferain its simple sporangia, opening without the aid of a net; it is likeCribrariain the smooth ochraceous-olivaceous spores and granuliferous peridium.
1.Lindbladia effusa(Ehr.)Rost.
Plate I., Figs. 3, 3a,Plate XII., Figs. 1, 2.
Sporangia minute, either closely combined and superimposed, so as to form a pulvinate æthalium, or crowded together in a single layer, sessile, or short-stipitate; the peridia thin, membranous, marked by scattered plasmodic granules, often lustrous, sometimes dull lead-colored or blackish, especially above; stipe, when present, very short but distinct, brown, rugulose; hypothallus well developed, membranous, or more or less spongiose in structure; spore-mass ochraceous, under the lens, nearly smooth, almost colorless, 6–7.5 µ.
This very variable species has been well studied by Dr. Rex. SeeBot. Gaz., XVII., p. 201. In its simpler phases it presents but a single layer of sporangia generally closely crowded together, sometimes free and even short stipitate! In the more complex phase the sporangia are heaped together in a pulvinate mass in which the peridia appear as boundaries of minute cells. In this case the outermost sporangia are often consolidated to form a cortex more or less dense and shining. In any case the hypothallus is a prominent feature; generally laminated and of two or three layers, it is in the more hemispheric æthalia very much more complex, sponge-like. When thin this structure is remarkable for its wide extent, 40–50 cm.! The simpler forms approach very near toCribrariathroughC. argillacea. The most complex remind us ofEnteridium.
This isPerichaena caespitosaPeck. In this country it has, however, been generally distributed asL. effusaEhr. This author throws some doubt on the species he describes by suggesting that the plasmodium may bered. The description, however, and figures are otherwise good and are established by the usage of Rostafinski. The plasmodium has much the same color as the mature fruit.
Widely distributed. New England to the Black Hills and Colorado, south to Arkansas. California, about Monterey.
2. TubiferaGmelin
Sporangia tubular, by mutual pressure more or less prismatic, connate, pale ferruginous-brown, iridescent, the walls thin, slightly granular, long-persistent; dehiscence apical; hypothallus thick, spongiose, white or whitish; spore-mass ferruginous.
This genus is easily recognized by the tubular sporangia, destitute of capillitial threads, seated upon a strongly developed hypothallus. The synonymy of the case is somewhat difficult. It is possible that Mueller'sTubulifera ceratum, Fl. Dan., Ellevte Haefte, 1775, p. 8, may belong here, but neither the text nor the figures make it certain. Neither he nor Œder, who gives usT. cremorin the same work, had any accurate idea of the objects described. Gmelin's description ofTubifera, II., 2, 1472, is, however, ample, and his citations of Bulliard'splates leave no doubt as to the forms he included. Gmelin writes: "Thecæ (membranæ expansæ superimpositæ) inter se connatæ seminibus nudiusculis repletæ."
Why, in face of so good a description, Persoon changed the name to that since current,Tubulina, is not clear.
Fries thinks Mueller had an immatureArcyriabefore him,Syst. Myc., III., p. 196.Tubulifera arachnoideaJacq., 1778, is also an uncertain quantity, insufficiently described.
Key to the Species of Tubifera
A.Hypothallus well developed, but not conspicuous.a.Pseudo-columellæ none1.T. ferruginosab.Pseudo-columellæ present at least in many of the tubules2.T. casparyiB.Hypothallus prominent, columnar3.T. stipitata
1.Tubifera ferruginosa(Batsch)Macbr.
Plate I., Fig. 4;Plate VII., Fig. 8;Plate XII., Fig. 14.
Sporangia crowded, cylindric or prismatic, elongate, connate, more or less distinct above, pale umber-brown, generally simple though occasionally branched above, the peridia thin, sometimes fragile, but generally persistent, transparent, iridescent; hypothallus strongly developed, spongiose, white, often projecting beyond the æthalioid mass of sporangia; spore-mass umber-brown or ferruginous; spores by transmitted light almost colorless, plainly reticulate over three-fourths of the surface, 6–7 µ.
Not rare on old logs, mosses, etc., from Maine to Alaska. Apparently more common north than south. Easily known by its long, tubular sporangia packed with rusty spores and destitute of any trace of columella or capillitium, the hypothallus explanate, rather thick, but not columnar. A single plasmodium may give rise to one or several colonies, at first watery or white, then red, of somewhat varyingshades, then finally umber-brown. These colors were noticed by all the older authors, but very inaccurately; thus a white plasmodium is the basis forTubifera cylindrica(Bull.) Gmel., a roseate plasmodium forTubifera fragiformis(Bull.) Gmel., and the mature fructification forTubifera ferruginosa(Batsch) Gmel. Rostafinski adopted a specific name given by Bulliard, but Batsch has clear priority.
The peridia are sometimes accuminate, and widely separate above. This is Persoon'sT. fragiformis. In most cases, however, the peridia are connate throughout, and sometimes present above a membranous common covering. This isT. fallaxof Persoon;Licea cylindrica(Bull.) Fries. In forms with thicker peridia, the walls often show the granular markings characteristic of the entireAnemeae.
2.Tubifera stipitata(Berk. & Rav.)Macbr.
Sporangia crowded in a globose or more or less hemispheric, expanded head, borne upon a spongy, stem-like, sulcate hypothallus 3–4 mm. high, their apices rounded, their walls very thin, evanescent; spores in mass umber-brown, small, about 5 µ, the epispore reticulate as in the preceding species.
This differs from number 1 chiefly in the cushion-like receptacle on which the crowded sporangia are borne, and in the smaller spores. The species originates in a plasmodium at first colorless, then white, followed by salmon or buff tints, which pass gradually into the dark brown of maturity. This peculiar succession of colors is perhaps more diagnostic than the difference in habit. The spores are, however, constantly smaller in all the specimens we have examined, and the stipitate habit very marked.
New England, New York, south to South Carolina, and west to South Dakota; our finest specimens are from Missouri.
3.Tubifera casparyi(Rost.)Macbr.
Plate XII., Fig. 9.
Sporangia closely crowded, tubular, cylindric or prismatic by mutual pressure, connate, the apices rounded, convex, covered by a continuous membrane, umber-brown; the peridia firm, persistent, minutely granular, iridescent; hypothallus well developed, thin, brown, explanate; pseudo-columellæ erect, rigid, traversing many of the sporangia, and in some instances bound back to the peridial walls by slender, membranous bands or threads, a pseudo-capillitium; spore-mass dark brown or umber, spores by transmitted light pale, globose, reticulate, 7.5–9 µ.
This isSiphoptychium casparyiRost. InBot. Gaz., XV., p. 319, Dr. Rex shows that the relationships of the species are withTubifera; that the so-called columella is probably an abortive sporangium, the so-called capillitial threads having no homology with the capillitial threads of the true columelliferous forms. It is a good species ofTubifera, nothing more. The tubules are shorter than in either of the preceding species; the spores are darker, larger, and more thoroughly reticulate.
The plasmodium is given by Dr. Rex,l. c., as white, then "dull gray tinged with sienna color," then various tones of sienna-brown, to the dark umber of the mature æthalium.
New York, Adirondack Mountains; Allamakee Co., Iowa.
3. AlwisiaBerk. & Br.
Plate XIX., Figs. 5 and 5a.
Sporangia ellipsoidal, clustered, stipitate; dehiscence by the falling away of the upper part of the peridium disclosing a persisting pencil of capillitial threads. A single species:—
1.Alwisia bombardaBerk. & Br.
Sporangia gathered in clusters of four to eight, surmounting coalescent, or sometimes divergent stalks, rusty-brown, or pallid, the peridium evanescent above; the coalescing stalks forming, especially below, a clustered column, 2 mm. in height, equalling the sporangia, dull reddish-brown in color; capillitium of rigid, tubular, generallysimple threads, attaching above by delicate tips, below by a broader sometimes branching base, sometimes conjoined near the peridial wall, now and then at irregular intervals inflated slightly or anon bulbose, roughened by projecting spinules, one-third the diameter, brownish or yellow; spores reddish-brown, faintly marked by reticulating bands over large part of the surface, 5–5.5 µ.
This peculiar species looks at first very little like a myxomycete. The stiff projecting hairs of the capillitium are hyphal in appearance and under the lens recall the phycomycetes; but the spores and withal the general structure seem to claim recognition here. Rostafinski was inclined to make a trichia of it, because of the hair-like capillitium, and markings on the threads, Massee found indistinct spiral markings even, enough to suit at least the prototrichias. Mr. Lister would put it near the tubifers. Father Torrend thinks of the dianemas, margaritas, etc., because of simple capillitium attached above and below! Spore-characters are probably the index most reliable, and the partial reticulation suggests association withTubiferaand for the present it may find station there, as in the English monograph.
Rare. Collected three times: twice in Ceylon, once in Jamaica. By the courtesy of Dr. Farlow, late lamented, we record the western specimens.
D.RETICULARIACEÆ
Fructification æthalioid; the sporangia sometimes poorly defined, intricately associated, borne on a common hypothallus and covered above by a common cortex; the lateral walls variously perforate and incomplete, form a pseudo-capillitium; spores umber or ochraceous.
Key to the Genera of the Reticulariaceæ