480 FOSSIL FUNGI 



to present-day genera may be indicated. If this were the sole 

 difficulty in classification, a fairly stable taxonomic status might 

 be achieved. There remains, however, the vexatious and ever- 

 present problem of specific identity. Are specimens in rocks from 

 one locality identical with those from another? Are specimens in 

 non-contemporaneous rocks specifically alike? Are specimens on 

 different hosts specifically distinct? These are only typical of the 

 questions that arise and cannot be answered satisfactorily. Other 

 difficulties just as serious will appear in the account that follows. 



Several extensive classifications of fossil fungi have appeared, 

 including Meschinelli's (1892) "Fungi Fossiles" in 1892 in Sac- 

 cardo's Sylloge Fwigorwn. It contains a list of slightly more 

 than 300 named species and, as maintained by Seward (1898), 

 ". . . includes certain species which . . . should have no place in 

 any list that claims to be authentic." Meschinelli's lconographia 

 (1902), which appeared 10 years later, is to be regarded as the 

 most useful, complete, and well-illustrated compilation up to that 

 date. 



The most comprehensive modern treatise on fossil fungi is that 

 by Pia in Hirmer's Handbuch der Palaobotairik (1927). Pia's 

 compilation recognizes fossil fungi that bear resemblance to mem- 

 bers of 39 present-day families. The account that follows is taken 

 from Pia's report with certain additions and omissions and with 

 comments and criticisms. 



I. Myxomycetes 



A single species of slime mold, Myxomycetes mangini Renault, 

 in the cortex of some vascular plant in the Coal Measures has been 

 described. 



II. Phycomycetes 



Eleven species of Phycomycetes are mentioned in Meschi- 

 nelli's Iconographia, and Ellis (1915, 1918) is authority for the 

 statement that four have been described since: Falaeomyces bacil- 

 loides, among the Saproleginaceae, and Fhy corny cites froding- 

 hamii by Ellis, Urophlyctites stigmaviae by Weiss (1904), and 

 Peronosporites palmi by Berrv (1916). Porter and Zebrowski 

 ( 1937) identified fungi occurring in sands from Australia, China, 

 Africa, Texas, North Carolina, and the West Indies as Phycomy- 



