o 



09 



conidial stage (represented by the flask-shaped cells, which I have 

 described, and the spores therein) that it very seldom appears. 



The chief character by which modern mycologists recognize 

 Michenera Artocreas, B.&C, is the flask-shaped, flagellate conidia. 

 Fresh material of this plant, and if possible an abundance of it, 

 would doubtless disclose to the student much more of interest 

 than I have been able to make out from the herbarium specimens 

 which have been my only material for examination. I have had 

 the good fortune, however, to be able to study all the specimens 

 of Michenera in the Curtis collection of Fungi, and also all 

 the other specimens of J//V/^^//-^ra in the Cryptogamic Herbarium 



of Harvard University, 



In studying both Corticitun and MicJicncra I have found Boh- 



w 



mer's Haematoxylin a valuable aid in bringing out structural 

 characters. It must be observed, however, that acid preparations, 

 such as glycerine and acetic acid, are impossible with this stain ; 

 for the acid gradually destroys the color after changing it to 

 a disagreeable reddish hue. On the other hand, alkaline solu- 

 tions produce a purple, flocculent precipitate. Pure glycerine is 

 the most convenient mounting medium, and if the sections, or 



r 



macerated fragments, be sloivly run up from water to glycerine 

 no shrinkage ensues, the color is unchanged, and the preparations 



may be kept indefinitely. 



To Dr. Farlow, professor of Cryptogamic Botany at Harvard 

 University, who very kindly put at my disposal the specimens 

 which I have studied, and who has helped me by counsel and by 

 criticism in preparing this paper, I wish to convey my grateful 



acknowledgments. 



EXPLANATION OF PLATE CX. 



Corticinni Oakesii^ B.&'C. 



a, — Simple bristly paraphysis. 



b. — Showing method of branching of paraphyses. 



c. — Moniliform or nodulose paraphyses resembling those of C. ajnorpJium^ Fr. 



d. — Young paraphysis which has resumed its upward growth. 



e. — Paraphysis in which second crop of bristles has been formed and growth is con- 

 tinued. 



f. — Paraphysis, with a second crop of bristles, which will probably go on growing. 



g. — A paraphysis which has been developed Into a basidium, four bristles only be- 

 ing formed in the second crop, and these bearing large, oval, granular spores. 

 The first crop of bristles is seen below. 



