CRIB R ARIA 163 



times well marked and separated from the net when fully 

 mature, by a shallow constriction, more commonly small or en- 

 tirely wanting, especially in the spherical sporangia ; net simple, 

 large-meshed, without nodal expansions, the threads flattened ; 

 spore-mass yellow, spores by transmitted light, pale, nearly 

 smooth, 5-6 p. 



A most beautiful tiny species. Generally in all the specimens 

 before us, a perfect, spherical net, firm enough to retain its 

 place and structure after all the spores have been scattered. 

 When mature the spore-mass seems to roll about as a ball, 

 freely within the net, the spores being thus gradually dispersed. 

 The calcylus when present is without veins. C. minima B. 

 and C., and C. microscopica B. and C., are doubtless the same 

 thing. Grev. y II., p. 67, 1873 See also Bot. Gaz., XIX., p. 397. 



Rare. Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Missouri,, Iowa; Black 

 Hills, South Dakota. 



4. CRIBRARIA SPLENDENS (Schrader) Pers. 



1797. Dictydium splendens Schrad., Nov. Gen. PI., p. 14. 

 1801. Cribraria splendens (Schrad.) Pers., Syn. Fung., p. 191. 



Sporangia gregarious, globose, dusky yellow when filled with 

 spores, dull or dusky brown when these are discharged, stipi- 

 tate ; stipe long, 3-4 times the sporangium, subulate, erect- 

 nodding, brown ; hypothallus none ; network brown, with large 

 meshes, imperfectly defined nodes and flattened threads ; calycu- 

 lus none, its place supplied by nine or ten distinct, firm ribs 

 which radiate directly from the stipe and support the net, 

 branching to blend with its reticulations ; spore-mass yellow, 

 spores by transmitted light, colorless, smooth or nearly so, 

 6-7.5 p. 



Of this species two specimens only are before us, one 

 from Muscatine County, Iowa, and one from Washington 

 (state). The species seems thus to have wide range, but to be 

 exceedingly rare. It differs from all other American forms, so 

 far described, in the peculiar development of the calyculus. 

 Rostafinski emphasizes the persistence of the peridial wall and 



