REVISIONS OF CEYLON FUNGI. 297 



spores of most of the species of Ophionectria , and it is most 

 probable that many of the species inckKled in that genus have 

 spores similar to those of Hypomyces stilbiger B. & Br. Still, 

 that is a reason for splitting the genus Ophionectria, rather 

 than for perpetuating the error by the name Opkiostilhe. The 

 synonymy of the species is as follows : — 



Byssostilhe stilbtgera = Hypomyces stilbiger B. & Br. 



= Berkelella stilbigera (B. & Br.) Sacc. 

 =: Ophionectria Trichice Penz. & Sacc. 



It would appear that the conidiophore of Byssostilhe 

 stilbigera, which has always been recorded from the Tropics as 

 Stilbum tomentosum Schrad., is in reahty quite a different 

 species, characterized by its minute oval spores, but the 

 solution of that question would rest on more certain evidence 

 if a perithecial stage of Stilbum tomentosum could be fomid in 

 temperate climates. Whether the Egham specimen recorded 

 by Miss A. L. Smith is another species or variety, or owes its 

 larger spores to the presence of Cylindrocephalum , must be 

 decided by a re-examination of it. 



106. — Thread Blight (Stilbum nanum Massee). 



" Thread Blight " is the name applied to a white mycelium 

 which runs in well-defined strands along living branches and 

 leaves, often at a considerable height from the ground. It is 

 probable that several species of f imgi produce such mycelium , 

 indeed such would be expected from the differences in habit 

 exiiibited by different examples, but up to the present only 

 two names have been allotted to the tropical forms. In one 

 form, or set of species, the mycelium Id certainly parasitic 

 upon the branches and leaves over which it runs. In another 

 gi'oup the mycelium originates in a dead stub or " canker," 

 and the spreading strands do not appear to cause any injury 

 to the bark over which they rim ; Hirneola polytricha belongs 

 to this group. Another type, which should also be classed 

 here, forms a white cushion which binds together the stems of 

 jungle shrubs where they happen to touch one another. 



A species which is parasitic upon nutmeg in Ceylon has been 

 under observation for several years, and it is hoped to publish 



