The Myxomycetes of Eastern Iowa. 141 



which gives off on all sides the branching capillitium, the ulti- 

 mate divisions uniting to form a superficial net, parallel to the 

 wall of the vanishing peridium. 



The genus is closely related to the preceding from which 

 it may be distinguished by the crowded sporangia of usually 

 greater size, the less evident dichotomy in the branches of the 

 capillitium and the indubitable net by which all is surrounded. 

 In the specific determinations I have followed Dr. Rex in the 

 N. A. F. 



38. Stemonitis fusca, Roth. 



Sporangia cylindrical, tufted, nodding, borne on a well 

 developed hypothallus. Stipe rather short, extending as colu- 

 mella quite to the apex of the sporangium. Capillitium and 

 spore-mass brown-violet. Capillitium-net with fine meshes, 

 about equal to the diameter of the spores. Spores pale, 

 almost smooth, .005-.0075. September — October. N. A. F. 

 No. 1119. 



Rather rare here as elsewhere in this country, the next 

 species being the common form. Hardly distinguishable 

 except by the smoother spores from D. dictyospora^ Rost., 

 and S. maxima^ Schw., N. A. F., No. 2697. 



39. Stemonitis maxima, Schzveinitz. Plate VI, Figs. 4, 4a 



and 4^. 



Sporangia cylindrical, long, slender, obtuse; the stipe black, 

 borne on a glistening hypothallus. Columella and capiUitium 

 as in the preceding. Spores verruculose, the papillae forming 

 a reticulate pattern, .006-. 007. 



Both this and the preceding present after maturity the most 

 dainty, airy, plume-like, ashen tufts of softness and beauty 

 indescribable. The chief distinction lies in the surface charac- 

 ters of the spores. Concerning S. dictyospora, Rost., Dr. 

 Rex, in litt.^ says: "6". dictyospora^ Rost. differs from S. 



