490 Durand: Classification of the Fleshy Pezizineae 



or gelatinous, sessile, externally smooth, granular, or pilose ; at 

 first closed, later concave, finally plane or discoid. Hypothecium 

 and excipulum uniformly pseudo-parenchymatous, composed of 

 rounded cells. Asci cylindrical or clavate, at maturity projecting 

 far above the hymenium, causing it to appear papillose, usually 

 opening by a lid. Spores spherical, elliptical^ or fusiform, con- 

 tinuous, hyaline or colored, eight or more in an ascus. 



III. HELOTIACEAE 



Plants usually of small size. Apothecia free on the substra- 

 tum, waxy, membranous, rarely leathery or gelatinous, sessile or 

 stipitate, externally smooth or hairy ; at first closed, later becoming 

 cupulate, concave or plane. Hypothecium and excipulum usually 

 prosenchymatous, composed of slender, long-drawn-out hyphae, 

 but little septated, rarely pseudo-parenchymatous, formed of thin- 

 walled, hyaline cells. Asci cylindircal or clavate, opening mostly 

 by a pore at the apex. Spores usually small, spherical to filiform, 

 continuous or septate, hyaline. Paraphyses filiform or acerose. 



IV. MOLLISIACEAE 



Plants of small size, Apothecia free on the substratum, or at 

 first buried, finally erumpent ; waxy, fleshy-waxy, membranous or 

 gelatinous, sessile or nearly so, usually smooth, rarely hairy. 

 Cups at first closed, later becoming cupulate, concave or plane. 

 Hypothecium little developed. Excipulum wholly or in part 

 pseudo-parenchymatous, composed of rounded cells, the ectal 

 ones having thick, brown walls. Asci cylindrical or clavate, open- 

 ing mostly by a pore at the apex. Spores small, spherical to fili- 

 form, continuous or septate, hyaline. Paraphyses filiform, often 

 thickened at the apex. 



Synopsis of Families and Genera 



In the following synopsis of genera, only those will be included 

 which may be expected to occur in North America. Although 

 the Discomycetes have been pretty thoroughly studied in certain 

 portions of the county, yet in America as a whole the group is 

 very little known. It is to be hoped that these plants may be less 

 neglected in the future, so that our knowledge of the large number 



