PEZIZALES 57 



2. Peridium developed. 3- 

 Peridium wanting. ZUKALINA.* 



3. Asci 8-spored. 4- 

 Asci 16- oo-spored. RHYPAROBIUS.| 



4. Ascomata hairy. LASIOBOLUS. 

 Ascomata smooth. ASCOPHANUS. 



5. Spores spherical. BOUDIERA. 

 Spores ellipsoid, joined in a ball within the ascus. SARO >BOLUS. 

 Spores ellipsoid, free. ASCOBOLUS. 



Family 4. Helotiaceae. 



This family differs from the Pezizaceae mainly in the possession 

 of a distinct peridial layer, a condition which is usually easily de- 

 termined by making a vertical section through the cup. This 

 condition renders the fungus of a tougher consistency and hence 

 less perishable and more persistent. The bright scarlet cups that 

 are found on sticks in early spring (Sarcoscypha coccinca], the 

 equally handsome hairy goblet-like cups of midsummer ( Sar- 

 coscypha floccosa ) and the small bright egg-yellow disc-like 

 fungi (Hclotiuin citrinuni) that are common all summer under 

 logs, chips and the like, are representative species. One species, 

 ChlorosplcniiDii aeruginosum t is peculiar in its color, the fungus, 

 mycelium, ascocarp and all being a verdigris green ; the asco- 

 carps are not very common but the mycelium is v.ery common in 

 decaying wood staining the whole woody substance a peculiar 

 copper-green color. The American genera of this rather large 

 family can be distinguished by the following synopsis : 



1. Ascocarps waxy or fleshy-waxy, thick or membranous 2. 

 Ascocarps gelatinous gristly, horny when dry. 21. 



2. Ascocarps fleshy-waxy, brittle when fresh, leathery when dry. 3. 

 Ascocarps waxy, thick, tough or membranous. 7- 



3. Ascocarps felty, hairy externally. SARCOSCYPHA. 

 Ascocarps covered with bristle-like hairs externally. PILOCRATERA. 

 Ascocarps externally naked. 4. 



* The genus Gloeopeziza from Austria is distinguished from this by hav- 

 ing the disc covered with a gelatinous layer when young. 



f The genus Streptotheca of Europe is distinguished from this by the 

 asci being provided with a ring below the apex. 



