Hyphae white, sporidia hyaline, continuous, irregularly oblong, every- 

 where attenuate, rotundate, 16-20x4r-5 mu. 



Porto Rico. — On eane. Ponce, June 8, 3911, 4062,^ 4063; Fortuna, 

 June 10, 1911, 4064; Rio Piedras, Aug. 19, 1912, 4530, Sept. 19, 1912, 

 4597, Sept. 25, 1912, 4615 ; Canovauas, Oct. 10, 1912, 4627 ; Mameyes, 

 Dec. 3, 1912. 4691; Rio Piedras, 1915, 3051, 3168. On Panicum bar- 

 hinode, Cambalache, I\Iay 19, 1911, 4060; Patillas, Jan. 30, 1913, D. L. 

 Van Dine. On Bromelia pinguin, Rio Piedras, Nov. 12, 1912, 4730. 

 On Andropogon hicornis, Rio Piedras, May 30, 1914. On coconut husk, 

 Santurce. Mrs. E. G. Britton, Feb. 12, 1914, 1471. Also collected a 

 number of other times at Santa Isabel, Loiza, Carolina, Fajardo, Jun- 

 tos, Camuy, Quebradillas, Toa Baja and Rio Piedras. Of common 

 occurrence in all parts of the Island. (PL XX. fig. 1 ; pi. XXVI, 

 figs. 8, 9, 10.) 



THE STELLATE-CRYSTAL FUNGUS {Himaiitia stelUfera) . 



There is probably no form more common on cane in Porto Rico 

 than the so-called stellate-crystal fungus which is commonly found 

 at the base of the stalks, cementing together the leaf-sheaths, as do 

 other species growing in this situation, and penetrating the roots as 

 well. Although of such constant occurrence the ciuestion of its para- 

 sitism is as yet doubtful and Avill remain so until studies under con- 

 trolled conditions of this form in comparison with other root fungi 

 can be carried out. 



Field observations have demonstrated its presence on a consider- 

 able range of plants other than cane, particularly those grasses which 

 have a similar habit of growth. It has been found externally at 

 the base of the following plants: 



Andropogon hicornis Paspalum pUcatulum 



Cymbopogon citratus Paspalum schreberianvm 



Cy penis sphacelatus Paspahim underwoodii 



Bichromena ciliata Paspahim virgatum 



Heliotropium indicum Byncospora cyperoides 



Panicum laxum Sporoholus jucquemontii 



Panicum maximum Stenotaphrum secundatum 



Paspalum panicidatum Syntherisma digitata 



The first mention of this fungus outside of Porto Rico is by 

 Lewton-Brain (57) who described and figured it in connection with. 



» In the citations in this paper all collections up to September, 1913 (accession numbers 

 4000—5000) are by the senior author, those from that date until July, 1914 (accession num- 

 bers 1000—2100), are joint collections and all since that time, (accession numbers 2100—6500. 



omitting the 4000 series) by the junior author, unless other^v^se stated. Specimens of all 

 collection_s, except ofsome of the earlier numbers, are deposited in the herbarium of the 



Porto 



r Yorl 



187 



Insular Experiment Station, Rio Piedras, Porto Rico, and in so far as duplicate material 

 was available in the herbarium of the New York Botanical Garden. 



