r JHE MYXOMYCETES OF P1CTOU COUNTY. MOORE. 183 



Family, PHYSAKE^. 



This family is represented in my collection by seven species 

 distributed through four genera, viz. : Fuligo, Physarum, 

 Tilmadoche and Leocarpus. 



Genus, Fuligo (Haller) Pers. 



In this genus tihe sporangia are elongated and interwoven 

 to form a thick cake-like fruit body or sethalium in which it is 

 impossible to trace the individual sporangia. The outer portion 

 of the sethalium forms a hard calcareous crust and tlie whole 

 rests upon a well developed hypothallus. The capillitium is 

 well developed, consisting of a filamentous net with irregular 

 lime vesicles. 



4. Fuligo ovata (Schseff) Macbr. ^Ethalia pulvinate rest- 

 ing on a well developed spongiose hypothallus ; frequently cover- 

 ing an area of several square centimetres and in some cases 

 attaining a height of two centimetres. The outer calcareous 

 crust varies much in tihe extent to which it is developed, in some 

 instances, being thick and firm, in others, scarcely evident. The 

 crust also varies in color from white to orange. The oapillitium 

 Consists of a net of hyaline filamentous tubules flattened at the 

 angles. The lime knots are irregular in shape and in some 

 gatherings almost wanting. Spores violet colored by transmitted 

 light, smooth, 7 10 /-tin diameter. 



This is a common species with us occurring everywhere on 

 moss, rotten wood, etc. 



Genus, Physarum (Persoon) Eost. 



In this genus the capillitium consists of irregularly branch- 

 ing filamentous tubules united to form a net with vesicular 

 expansions, generally at the nodes, containing amorphous lime 

 granules. The ends of the capillitial filaments are attached to 

 the peridium which at maturity ruptures irregularly. 



In all the species \vthich I have collected the fructification 

 consists of distinct sporangia. 



