The Myxomyceles of the Miami J^alley, Ohio. 29 



3. The smooth tapering point is rarely wanting, in which 

 case the extremity presents a blunt end, the spiral ridges 

 running to the end. More frequently the tapering points are 

 multiplied, the elaters bearing two or three spines at the 

 extremities; this often occurs in the species of Trichia, and 

 also of Heniiarcyria with spinulose elaters. 



4. The spiral ridges are sometimes defective, there being 

 less than the typical number ; sometimes they are merely dis- 

 placed, there being a much wider interval between them than 

 usual; rarely do they habitually wind about the thread in an 

 irregular manner. 



5. Under high magnifying power, fine ridges are sometimes 

 seen running lengthwise of the elaters, bridging the intervals 

 between the spirals. These were first observed by DeBary, 

 in Tyichia chrysospcrma, but they have since been seen in the 

 elaters of nearly every other species of Trichia, and also in 

 species of Heniiarcyria. 



The few species with elaters, so far as yet known, habitually 

 irregular, defective and abnormal, are referred to the genus 

 Oligonema. 



The normal species of Trichia arrange themselves quite 

 naturally into three sections. 



>5i. A XACTiUM. Sporangia varying from globose to pyri- 

 form or turbinate, supported on a more or less elongated 

 stipe. Spores globo.se, the surface minutely warted. 



a. Elaters zuith very loji^ taperino- extremities. 



I. Trichia FR.\GiLis, Sow. Sporangia obovoid to pyriform 

 or clavate, often fasciculate, stipitate ; the wall a thin mem- 

 brane, with a thick dense outer layer of brown-red granules. 

 Stipes long, erect or curved, simple or usually fasciculate and 

 often connate, arising from a thin hypothallus. Mass of 

 spores and capillitium from reddish-brown to yellow and 

 ochraceous; elaters simple, rarely branched, 4-5 mic. thick, 

 with very long tapering extremities, ending in smooth points 

 8-12 mic. long; spirals, three or four, perfectly smooth. 

 Spores globose, minutely warted, 10-12 mic. in diameter. 



