388 
tion. They differ from the cystidia of other Hymenomycetes in 
not being at a level with the basidia in the hymenium, their posi- 
_ tion in this respect being very constant. Whether or not they 
function as food receptacles, as might be supposed from their oily 
contents, it is difficult to say. 
An examination of various specimens of Hypocrea Richardsom 
showed the basidia and sterigmata in most cases. The ones in 
Ellis, N. A. F., 1329, were particularly good. The Schweinitz 
specimens of Zubercularia pezizoidea had a large number of clavate 
bodies and sterile basidia. Specimens collected by Dr. Thaxter 
at Waverly, Mass., and others from Shelburne, N. H., collected by 
myself this spring, showed the basidia and their spores perfectly. 
From all this it appears that the fungus is neither a Zudercu- 
laria nor a Hypocrea, but one of Basidiomycetes and more specifi- 
cally one of the Hymenomycetes. The basidia are ina hymenium 
which is perfectly smooth, a character which would place this 
form among the Thelephorez. The absence of seta, the superior 
hymenium, the approximately flat and sessile sporophore includes 
it in my opinion in the genus Corticium. The plant would then 
have to take the name Corticium pezizoideum (Schw.) and be char- 
acterized as follows: % 
Scattered or gregarious, purplish-red, breaking through 
epidermis, finally centrally attached, margin free, discoid, smog" 
when young, becoming more or less wrinkled when older. ie 
menium smooth; basidia 5.5 » wide with slightly allantoid re 
cous basidiospores 5-7 # + 1%. Large cystidia-like bodi 
very numerous, extending into the hymenial layer, generally wi 
numerous oil-globules. p 
' Growing on poplar logs in the colder portions of No 
America, from New England westward to Colorado and northw: 
I would thank Dr. W. G. Farlow for the use of specimens 
literature and for his interest and aid offered me in my work. 
Description of Plate 218. 
Fic. 1. Corticium pezizoideum (Schw.) Schrenk. The older ones 
Fic. 2. Section of a young Corticium, rupturing the epidermis. i ye . 
: : 4 - h um and 
Fic. 3. Section of a mature Corticium (magnified), showing the hym 
the — bodies distributed through it. : : wh,” basidia and 
_ Fic. 4. A portion of the hymenium more highly magnified; “b, ie 
spores ; “c,” clavate bodies; “p,” paraphyses. Se 
. 
are wrinkled. 
‘ 
