THE GENUS MUCRONELLA. 



This genus consists of little awl-shaped teeth, growing gregariously without a 

 common subiculum. In early days it was classed as a resupinate Hydnum. Fries 

 separated it (Summ. Veg. Scand.) under the name Mucronia, afterwards changed 

 to Mucronella, and still includea it with Hydnaceous plants. As each tooth is sep- 

 arate and distinct and does not spring from a common subiculum, as do the truly 

 resupinate Hydnums, I think each should be considered as a distinct plant, and in 

 that view should be classed in Clavariaceae. Mucronellas grow on the under side 

 of logs and are rather rare. There are three species in Europe, all recorded '(cor- 

 rectly?) in the United States, and in addition Peck has named two. 



Fries got an idea somewhere that each basidium only bore one spore and made 

 that a character of the genus. It does not hold true in the only fresh species I have 

 examined (M. aggregata), and I doubt if it does in any. I also think that some of 

 the species of Mucronella will be rearranged in other genera when they are better 

 known. 



The genus rray be divided into two sections: 



1st, With free teeth, gregarious. 



2nd, With teeth fasciculate at base. 



The first section is for me the true genus, the second section, I believe, would 

 be better in the genus Pterula. 



SECTION 



TEETH FREE AT BASE. 



MUCRONELLA AGGREGATA. (Figs. 724 and 725.) White 

 with a yellow cast in drying. Densely gregarious, without subicu- 

 lum. Teeth about a mm. long, acute, smooth, no cystidia. Basidia 

 4 spored. Spores 4x6, hyaline, smooth, with granular contents. 

 This grew on old pine log. Our figure 725 (enlarged six times) will 

 give an idea of the plant such as no description can. We collected the 

 plant several times in Sweden and have a specimen from L. O. Over- 

 holts, Ohio. Peck also records it. 



Fig. 724 



Mucronella aggregata. Fig. 724 



Fig. 725 



ze. Fig. 725 enlarged six time 



725 enlarged six times. Patouillard, Fig. 680 (as 

 -ires not globose as shown. Fries Icon. t. 194 in- 



ILLUSTRATIONS. Fig. 724 natural size, fig. .^. ._ __ 



Mucronella calva in errot) very good, excepting spores not globose as shown. Fries Ic< 

 accurate. Teeth are too blunt, also show an indication of subiculum which does not exist 



SYNONYMS. Mucronella abnormalis, described by Hennings from Europe, seems from figure to 

 be Mucronella aggregata, neither "abnormal" nor unusual. 



MUCRONELLA MINUTISSIMA. Same as the preceding excepting the 

 minute size, hardly visible to the eye, and teeth not over one third as long. I col- 

 lected it recently at Eglon, West Va. I make the spores 4x6, not 2K x 4, as re- 

 corded by Peck. It forms little white patches on under side of moist pine. 



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