20 THAXTER. 



erect on a short stalk, which consists of a pair of cells; the anterior 

 triangular, its upper angle extending above the base of the ascigerous 

 cavity; while the posterior does not extend beyond this cavity, and 

 forms the base of a series of four successively smaller flattened cells 

 which lie in contact with the posterior margin of the perithecium; the 

 series ending below the apex, the first and fourth cells appendiculate. 

 Perithecia rather long and narrow, hardly inflated; the tip usually 

 more or less clearly distinguished; the apex ending in a lilunt, finger- 

 like, erect projection. Spores 28 X 2.5 ix. Perithecia 35 = 40 X 

 10 /x; the marginal cells X 3.5 jjl; the stalk 9 X 6-7 ix. Stalk portion 

 of receptacle 7-12 X 7-12 jjl; its longest divisions 75-100 X 5.5-7 ji. 

 Free base of primary appendage 12-16 X 3.5-4 /x. Appendages 

 15-20 X 3 /x. 



On various passaline beetles, No. 2163 (Type) and 2164, Guatemala 

 (Kellerman). Nos. 2168 and 2169, Polvon, Nicaragua (M. C. Z.); 

 No. 2171, Rio de Janeiro (M. C. Z.); No. 2238, Amazon (Mann), 

 M. C. Z. 



This small and delicate species is closely allied to the R. dichotoma 

 and R. apiculifera. From the former it is distinguished by its small 

 size, general habit, and by minor details of structure; while from 

 forms of the latter which have produced irregular and abnornal 

 branches, it is sometimes distinguished with difficulty. The divisions 

 of the receptacle, however, do not produce perithecia terminally; 

 and, in normally developed individuals a single perithecium, only, 

 arises on a short stalk from near the base of one of the divisions. 



Rickia dichotoma nov. sp. 



Hyaline, branched, the axes biseriate. Basal cell of the receptacle 

 broad, pointed distally, its upper half or more intruded between two 

 irregularly paired cells lying above it, which it may almost completely 

 separate; this pair is followed by two cells irregularly paired, above 

 which the receptacle becomes furcate; one or both of its two stout 

 divisions becoming once more, often almost immediately, furcate; 

 one or both of the inner branches terminating in a perithecium; the 

 others indeterminate, somewhat tapering, rather straight and rigid 

 at least below, often greatly elongated; some of the cells bearing small 

 appressed appendages which occur scattered on both sides; all the 

 branches consisting of biseriate cells, and diverging more or less regu- 

 larly at an angle of about 45°. The perithecial axes of variable length. 



