300 University of California Publications in Botany [Vol.6 



spore more irregular and more slender, and narrower paraphyses 

 (those of Mattirolo's specimen measuring 4-7ju, in thickness) . Descrip- 

 tions of G. pulchra differ from this species in having the ascocarp even, 

 without folds or inner projections, and in larger spores (21-25 by 

 28-31/i,) covered with minute sharp-pointed needles. 



While spore characters and all measurements are constant in dif- 

 ferent plants of this species, the characters of ascocarp surface and 

 cortical tissue are quite variable. In No. 42, Hk. Col., Nos. 81 and 

 248, U. C. Col., very few hairs are found upon the surface of the asco- 

 carp ; while in other specimens they are comparatively plentiful. The 

 structure of the cortex is also found to vary in different specimens. 

 However, all of these variations are present to some extent in different 

 plants of the same collection, and do not seem sufficient basis for 

 specific separation, particularly since a single ascocarp occasionally 

 exhibits striking variability in the characters mentioned above. 



Genea HarKnessii sp. nov, 



Plate 29, figs. 10, 11, 12, 1.3 



Genea Mspidula Hk. non Berk., Proc. Cal. Acad Sci., 3d ser., vol. 1, no. 8 



(1899), p. 263. 

 Genea verrucosa Hk. non Vitt., Proc. Cal. Acad Sci., p. 263. 



Ascocarp dark brown to black, 2 cm. in diam., slightly flattened, 

 somewhat lobed; surface divided into minute polygonal areas, forming 

 bases of stout pyramidal projections ; cavity of ascocarp much broken 

 by irregular projections from wall ; wall of cavity with verrucosities 

 as wide as but lower than those of outer surface ; primary cortex con- 

 sisting of pseudoparenchymatous tissue of rapidly elongated, very 

 large, dark, thick-walled cells extending to base of verrucosities ; from 

 here to asci, tissue becoming hyphal ; hymenium often double from 

 joining of inner projections of wall, divided into distinct "pockets" by 

 strands of sterile hyphal tissue connecting cortices ; asci cylindrical to 

 somewhat club-shaped, not constricted between spores but covering 

 spores loosely, stipitate, rounded at apex, 32 by 225/a ; spores 1- or in- 

 completely 2-seriate, 22-24 by 28/x., surface covered by semi-globose or 

 truncate conical papillae, rarely reaching width and height of 4m,, 

 usually variable in size, distribution, and shape on single spore ; para- 

 physes 2-8fi in thickness, branched below secondary cortex. 



"Strawberry Canyon, Berkeley, Calif., Mar. 27, 1915." 



No. 429, U. C. Col. Type, N. L. Gardner. 



"Among decaying leaves under trees, Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz Co., 

 Calif., May." No. 70, Hk. Col. Referred to G. verrucosa. 



"Beneath surface of ground under trees, San Rafael, Marin Co., 

 Calif., May." "Under Oaks, Wire Bridge, Placer Co., Calif., 

 April." No. 115, Hk. Col. Referred to G. hispidula. 



