Fiom the Uullbtin op the Torrey Botanical Cn'n, 35- 577-580. 1908. 



North Dakota slime-moulds 



Fred J. Skavkr 



During the fall of 1907 and spring of 1908, in connection with 

 the study of the fungus flora of North Dakota, a number of 

 species of slime-moulds were collected, and since there is no avail- 

 able literature on this particular phase of the cryptogamic flora of 

 the state, it is thought advisable to publish the list at this time. 

 The work above mentioned was carried on in connection with the 

 North Dakota Agricultural College and specimens of the species 

 reported on here are preserved in the herbarium of that institution, 

 to which I am indebted for the privilege of carrying on the work. 



With few exceptions, such as that of the disease known as the 

 club-rot of cabbage, the slime-moulds are not known to be of any 

 economic importance, and since they are usually small and grow 

 in out of the way places little attention is given to them. But not- 

 withstanding their failure to appeal to those interested in the com- 

 mercial phases of the botanical science only, their strange life- 

 history, delicate structure, and uncertain relationship with other 

 groups of plants and animals never fail to arouse the interest of the 

 student in the class-room and it was for this reason that most 

 of the species reported here were first collected. 



In preparing this list acknowledgments are due to Professor 

 T. H. Macbride, of Iowa, for identification or confirmation of the 

 identification of the species named below. 



PHYSARACEAE 



CiENKOWSKiA RETICULATA (Albert. & Schwein.) Rost. 



This is the only species of the genus and according to Professor 

 Macbride, in the North American Slime-moulds, is very rare. The 

 species was at first mistaken for an immature plasmodium, which it 

 very closely resembles. 



DiDERMA CRUSTACEUM Peck. 



Common and rather attractive. The species has been collected 

 several times in North Dakota, usually on the stems of herbaceous 



577 



