PEZIZALES 



57 



2. Peridium developed. 3- 

 Peridium wanting. Zukalina.* 



3. Asci 8-spored. 4- 

 Asci 16- oc-spored. RHYPAROBius.f 



4. Ascomata hairy. ^ Lasiobolus. 

 Ascomata smooth. Ascophanus. 



5. Spores spherical. BouDiERA. 

 Spores ellipsoid, joined in a ball within the ascus. Sarobolus. 

 Spores ellipsoid, free. Ascobolus. 



Family 4. Helotiaceae. 



This family differs from the Pezizaccae 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 {SarcoscypJia coccined), the 

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

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

 fungi {Hclotium citrmiini) that are common all summer under 

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

 Chloj'ospicnium acruginositm, 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 very 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 tleshy-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. 



I The genus Sireptotheca of Europe is distinguished from this by the 

 asci being provided with a ring below the apex. 



