WHuiTE: THe NIDULARIACEAE OF NortH AMERICA 267 
such different types have been found in specimens from one locality 
from the short, strigose, sessile or bulbose form to the slender, 
almost smooth, elongated form—that there can be no question as 
to their being in reality but one species. Tulasne does not mention 
Schweinitz’s Nidularia stercorea, and his species Cyathus Lesueurii 
from New Orleans was presumably described without knowledge 
of the preceding species. His variety Cyathus Lesueurit var. minor 
from Carolina, closely resembles small forms of Cyathia stercorea. — 
CYATHIA (?) sp. 
Peridia cup-shaped, clustered, 4-6 mm. high, 3-5 mm. wide 
at the top, 2 mm. at the base; outer surface lightish brown, 
nearly smooth, or minutely fibrous; inner surface smooth, very 
dark brown, almost black, shiny; mouth entire or slightly 
ragged, but not fimbriate; sporangioles black, shiny, angular 
beneath, rounded above, 1 mm. in diameter, showing no trace of 
any attachment, numerous; spores 20-30 # long, 18-24 4 wide, 
thick-walled, granular within, hyaline. (Pl. 16. f. 16, 21, 22.) 
No mention as to habitat. 
The specimens on which the above description is based were 
sent to Mr. Ellis by Professor E. Bethel (no. 9) from Denver, 
Colorado, and were named Cyathus vernicosus. They consist 
of four or five groups of from two to five plants in each. The 
Peridial wall is triple and the structure of the sporangioles is 
much as in Cyathia, the spores being also intermixed with thick 
horny filaments as in that genus ; but there is no trace whatever of 
any attachment either on the under surface of the sporangioles or 
on the inner surface of the peridium. The specimens are all 
Mature, so it is impossible to know what the nature of the young 
Peridia was, but the sporangioles are still in the peridia, filling them 
Completely, even with the margin quite unlike anything seen 
belonging to the genus Cyathia. It is very possible that a hiadeges 
Standing in the same relation to Cyathia, as Nidula does to Cruct- 
bulum, will eventually have to be established to accommodate these 
forms, but the material and data are not sufficient to justify taking 
such a step at present. 
SPECIES INQUIRENDA 
Cvatuus NIVEO-TOMENTosus P. Henn. Hedwigia, 37: 274- 1898 
: Sparsis : peridio obconico-cyathiformi, crassiusculo papyraceo 
Primo operculo albo tecto, sessili vel substipitato, extus niveo 
