Studies on Urnula and Geopyxis 
By Exrsig M. KupFER 
(WITH PLATE 8) 
The apparent confusion in which the genus Urnuda, as treated 
by various authors seemed to stand, and the belief that an exami- 
nation of the anatomical structure might lead to some conclusions 
as to the relationships of the various species included under this 
name, led the writer to the present investigation. The results 
reached in the paper are threefold: (1) The reéstablishment of the 
genus Urnu/a upon its proper footing; (2) The determination of 
the relationship of the genera Geopyxis and Urnula ; and (3) The 
establishment of a new genus Choricactis allied to Plectania in the 
family Pezizaceae. 
The excellent work of Dr. E. J. Durand on the Pezizineae has 
laid down the lines which investigation in such work must take ; and 
it was the purpose of the writer to follow as closely as was feasible 
Dr. Durand’s plan and method. Of necessity, the study was made 
entirely from dried material, which, while satisfactory in most 
respects, left something to be desired in one or two instances. The 
specimens were soaked up for a day in a mixture of equal parts of 
glycerine, alcohol, and water, then dehydrated and embedded in 
paraffin. The sections 3-10 » in thickness were taken from the 
center of the cup, and were stained with haemalum. The tissue 
drawings were outlined with a camera lucida. 
The genus Urnula was founded by Fries in 1849* on Pesiza 
Cratcrium Schweinitz.+ Fries’ description of the genus was as 
follows: « Lixcipulum coriaceum, inflatum, inane, clausum dein ore 
rotundo +*mose dehiscens. Discus latera interiora vestiens sports 
moniliformi-seriatis intermixtis paraphysibus superfictales byssisedae.”’ 
Although the characters noted by Fries are, naturally, mainly ex- 
ternal, there can be no doubt as to the limitation of the genus, 
since Fries mentions the type on which he originated it, which 
since the publication of Schweinitz’ figure has been well known. 
* Summa Veg. Scand. 2: 122. 
s } Syn. Fung. Car. sup. 9. gl. 7. f. 7-sr. 
ae 137 
