22 THAXTER. 



to eight in each series, one to four if borne on a special secondary 

 perithecial branch; the upper cell of the anterior series extending only 

 to the base of the ascigerous cavity; the posterior series continuous 

 with a row of usually seven appendiculate, rather prominently con- 

 vex, rounfled, subequal cells in contact with the posterior margin of 

 the perithecium nearly to its apex; the uppermost of these cells 

 broader and rounded distally, unlike the others in bearing its ap- 

 pendage directly, without any basal cell, on its inner distal surface. 

 Perithecium relatively long and narrow, its anterior margin wholly 

 free; nearly straight or rather strongly convex; the tip Avell distin- 

 guished; the apex terminating in a well marked, erect, terminal, blunt, 

 short projection formed by one of the inner lip-cells. Appendages very 

 numerous, slightly tapering, rather stout, appressed or slightly diver- 

 gent. Spores about 36 X 4 /x. Perithecia 60-75 X 14-18 m> the margi- 

 nal cells X 10 fjL. Basal portion of the receptacle 18-27 X 25 /x, the 

 basal cell X 9 //. Longest division of the receptacle 675 fx (varying to 

 less than half this length), its width 12 jjl, becoming less distally. 

 Appendages 16-18 X 2.5-3.5 m- Base of primary appendage 16-18 

 X 4.5 (base)-1.8 n (apex). 



On Passalus cornidus Fabr., No. 2172 (M. C. Z.), Ganard Co., 

 Kentucky (Hyatt). 



This species appears to be most nearly related to R. dichotoma from 

 which, as well as from other nearly allied forms, it is at once distin- 

 guished by the presence of paired appendages on all the cells of the 

 basal part of the receptacle, with the exception of the basal cell itself. 

 The greatly elongated divisions of the receptacle are more or less 

 flaccid, and tend to become spirally twisted in mounting, in contrast 

 to the more or less rigid divisions of R. dichotoma. It is subject to 

 considerable variation in size and in general habit, owing to the fact 

 that one of the long divisions of the receptacle may be replaced by a 

 much shorter division, terminated by a perithecium, and that one 

 or two additional perithecia may arise on short secondary branches 

 from either of the main divisions near the base. No antheridia have 

 been recognized in the material examined. 



Rickia depauperata nov. sp. 



Minute, hyaline, usually short and stout, receptacle biseriate. 

 Basal cell abruptly distinguished, short, stalk-like, sometimes more 

 than half included between the basal cells of the anterior and poste- 



