200 THE NORTH AMERICAN SLIME-MOULDS 



surface the distal attachments of the capillitial threads ; capil- 

 litium of numerous brown, spirally banded threads, which take 

 origin in the base of the sporangium, become subdivided as 

 they ascend, and are at length attached by their tips to the 

 sporangium wall; spore-mass brown, spores by transmitted light 

 pale, minutely roughened. 



This curious form, with its spirally sculptured capillitial 

 threads attached at both ends, stands intermediate between 

 Dianema and Hemitrichia and Trichia. It is probably the 

 same thing as that in 1860 called by Berkeley Trichia metallica, 

 but as this fact can no longer be substantiated, we have adopted 

 here the later name. 



Not uncommon in the abietine forests of the West. Alberta, 

 Oregon, Washington, California, Nevada, Montana, Idaho, 

 Colorado. 



E. TRICKIER. 



Capillitium marked by spiral bands, sometimes scattered 

 rings, etc., the threads either entirely free, or at least loosely 

 branched, and with free tips more or less numerous. 



Key to the Genera of the Trichieae. 



A. Capillitial threads long, generally united to form a loose net, centrally 



attached. 



a. Sculpture spiral i. HEMITRICHIA 



b. Sculpture reticulate 2. CALONEMA 



B. Capillitial threads shorter, entirely free, though sometimes branched. 



a. Threads, elaters, marked by spiral bands . 3. TRICHIA 



b. Sculpture irregular or wanting . . . -4- OLIGONEMA 



i. Hemitrichia Rost. 



1829. Hemiarcyria Fries, Syst. Myc., III., p. 183 (in part). 

 1873. Hemitrichia Rost., Versuch, p. 14. 



Capillitium a tangled net of more or less branching and anas- 

 tomosing fibres centrally attached ; the sculpture regular, of 

 conspicuous spirally winding bands or ridges ; habit and color 

 various. 



