subcylindrical as the type form of Cyathus stercoreus. So many intermediate 



forms occur, however, that the larger part of the collections we receive we 



^^^^^^^ would not know whether to call stercoreus or Le- 



l sueurii. There are many small forms which Tulasne 



B^ called "var. minor," but there is no such thing as 



separating the various collections. Plants from the 



extreme South, from Florida and Texas, are usually 



jjjy the small form. 



SYNONYMS. The following we consider syn- 

 onyms: Cyathus melanosperma (Nidularia mela- 

 nosperma, Trans. Am. Phil. Soc. 4-253), based on 

 specimens where the spores average large. 80 Cyathus 

 affinis (Madagascar) based on specimens where the 

 spores average small and not so globose as usual. 

 Cyathus Wrightii (Grev. 2-34) based on sterile* 1 

 specimens (Fig. 16, type X 4), Cyathus rufipes (Bull. 

 Torr. 97-125), based on specimens with spores aver- 

 aging rather small, and with slight development of 

 brown mycelium at base. 32 Cyathus Baileyi (Grev. 

 21-3). m Cyathus Puiggarii, one of Spegazzini's pro- 

 ductions from South America, we have not seen, 

 but the description and habitat is exactly that of 

 F\ g ie. Cyathus stercoreus, and we have Cyathus stercoreus 



from the same section. 



FORMS OF CYATHUS STERCOREUS. 



CYATHUS LESUEURII (Plate 108). As we have previously stated this 

 form (typically) differs from Cyathus stercoreus in its shape, but so many 

 intermediate forms occur that it is not practicable in naming specimens to 

 keep it distinct. In our plate we give photographs of the type material, which 

 is abundantly preserved at Paris. 



CYATHUS RUFIPES (Plate 108). The type specimens of Cyathus rufipes 

 have the brown mycelium at the base hardly developed out of the ordinary, 34 and 

 were this the only collection we had seen with this character, we would not con- 

 sider it with a separate name. We have received specimens from C. E. Pleas, 

 Florida, with such a strong development of this mycelium that it forms a large 

 ball at the base of the plant, and as it is the same idea (in an intensified form) 

 that Ellis had when he named the Kansas specimen, we use the name. The plants 

 are stalked, more slender than the form Lesueurii and each at its base has a large 

 ball of reddish brown mycelium, y 2 cm. in diameter. The spores are imma- 

 ture, but from the nature of the cup and the structure of the peridiole, I do 

 not hesitate to refer it to a form of stercoreus. Two species have been pre- 

 viously named from the habit that Cyathi have of developing a pad of brown 

 mycelium at the base ! Cyathus byssisedus from Java, and Cyathus subiculosus, 



stercoreu 



30 We can note no difference in the general size of spores from type material of Cyathus 

 reus and Cyathus melanosperma. While in the latter there are many large spores there are also 



31 We have examined two peridioles from the type specimens and found them both sterile. Pro- 

 fessor Farlow, at our request, has kindly made an examination of the co-types in the Curtis collec- 

 tion and finds them all sterile. We are unable to explain the spore measurements, 10 x 15 mic. as given, 

 but think it is an error, for with the same cups, peridioles and peculiar outer peridiole walls of Les- 

 ueurii we have no doubt of its identity. In addition peridioles of the large spored Cyathi are fre- 

 quently sterile, while it is a character of all small spored species that the spores are always abundant. 

 Miss White has given a really comical drawing of Cyathus Wrightii. Compare fig. 16, photograph of 

 the type specimen with her figure. 



32 All species of Cyathus, I think without exception, if they grow on a hard matrix, such as a 

 piece of wood, straw, etc., develop brown mycelium at the base. Growing on the earth this is not usu- 

 ally developed. Taken alone the brown mycelium at the base of a Cyathus is no character whatever. 



33 I found no specimens so labeled at Kew. The only collection from " Bailey, on manure," is 

 labeled Cyaihus fimetarius and is Cyathus stercoreus. 



34 See note 31 above. 



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