The Myxomycetes of Eastern Iowa. 149 



In habit this species is like the preceding; the sporangia are 

 found commonly on leaves, living or dead, and take up their 

 places along the edge of the leaf or follow its venation. A 

 very neat little species. August. 



49. Chondrioderma floriforme, BiiUiard. Plate VIII, 

 Figs. I, la and ib. 



Sporangia globose, stipitate, borne on a well developed 

 hypothallus, brown, shining. Peridium stout, at maturity 

 opening in irregularly stellate fashion, displaying the black 

 mass of spores and capillitium. Columella ovate, as if stipi- 

 tate. Capillitium formed of many violet-tinted threads united 

 as a net, with numerous nodules. Spores pale violet, with 

 scattered spinules, .oio-.oii. 



This is our common species, occurring in August and Sep- 

 tember, year by year, on oak logs and stumps far gone in 

 decay, generally coming to fruit in dark cavities and holes, so 

 that specimens are to be sought even beneath the surface of 

 the ground. The sporangia are, as above described, at first 

 spherical on a well developed, pale, alutaceous stipe. On 

 exposure to the dry atmosphere of the laboratory or to the 

 sun, the peridium breaks into segments which curl down 

 about the top of the stipe and there persist long after the 

 wind has scattered the sooty spores. The columella also 

 persists, is of the same color as stipe and peridial wall, and 

 associated with these organs offers a form to which the species 

 doubtless owes its m.vn.Q—Jlo}'ifornie — flower-like. 



X. PHYSARACEiE. 



Fructification either in form of distinct sporangia, plasmo- 

 diocarps or £ethalia. Peridium simple or double. Capillitium 

 of tubes or solid strands, with deposits of amorphous lime- 

 granules, either at special points or throughout. 



