The generic position is a question. The context is carbonous, 

 not with concentric zones, hence not a Daldinia. The perithecia are 

 peripherical, the spores elliptical, deep color (10x28-32), and in its 

 structural features it is simply a giant Hypoxylon as classed by Cooke. 

 It is stretching things to call a plant as large as this an Hypoxylon, but 

 it is the best classification in my mind. I noted but two specimens 

 in the museums of Europe, viz., the original that Fee named Sphaeria 

 cerebrina, and the one from Trinidad, that was named Daldinia aspera. 

 Mr. Hart's specimen sent me seems to be the third of what is evi- 

 dently a very conspicuous but probably rare species. 



POLYSTICTUS BIFORMIS (FIG. 817), FROM P. VAN DE 

 BIJL, SOUTH AFRICA. A SMOOTH FORM. This is a very com- 

 mon species in the United States, but our plant has usually appressed 

 fibrils on the surface. As to pores, texture, color, spores, etc., it is 



Fig. 817. 



Polystictus biformis (smooth form). 



very rare 



580 



Variable 



, Irpex ' Spores 

 none. In Europe it is a 



<!* American p,a P nt is not 

 has been recorded under such 



