THE DISCOMYCETES OF EASTERN IOWA. 291 



or curved, often guttulate, 10 by 3 microns; paraph yses filiform 

 slender. 



Habitat — On growing stems and leaves of Potentilla nor- 

 vegica; Pocahontas, Iowa. 



The individuals of this species were found growing on a 

 living plant of Potentilla norvegica in a yard at Pocahontas, 

 Iowa, in the summer. The plants are dark colored and were 

 found in such numbers as to cover the stems in places. They 

 grow on the leaves, especially on the under side and generally 

 near the veins. In external appearance these plants are sim- 

 ilar to those of Mollisia polygoni but may be distinguished 

 from their habitat, as well as from the size of the spores. 



Family VI— PATEI,I,ARIACE^. 



Receptacle either always on the surface or at first immersed, 

 breaking through the substratum, generally leathery or hard, 

 for the most part dark colored, hemispherical or elongated. 

 At first closed, not protected by a covering membrane, then 

 opening. Hypothecium generally well developed, dark col- 

 ored. Asci thick-walled especially at the apex, 8-spored. 

 Spores spherical, elongated, or filiform, 1 to many celled. 

 Paraphyses forming a well developed epithecium. Plants 

 saprophytic. 



Genus I— PATELLARIA Fries. 



Receptacle for the most part always on the surface, black 

 or blackish, coriaceous. Plants spherical or elongated; hyme- 

 niura concave or plane. Asci clavate, 8-spored; spores fusi- 

 form, often clavate and curved, or straight, 4 or more celled, 

 hyaline, in 2 rows. Paraphyses forming a brown epithecium. 

 Found on decaying wood. 



Several species have been collected recently. 



