188 THE MYXOMYCETES OF PICTOU COUNTY. MOORE. 



Genus, Stemonitis (Gleditsch) Eost. 



Sporangia standing close together, before maturity forming 

 a slimy mass which only later divides into the individual spor- 

 angia. A columella is present and from this the capillitial 

 filaments branch out on all sides and, repeatedly dividing and 

 anastomosing with one another, form at the periphery a 

 characteristic more or less close meshed net. Peridium evanes- 

 cent. 



13. 8temonitis fusca (Koth.) Eost, Sporangia cylindrical 

 growing in tufts on a well developed hypothallus, purplish 

 black in color, becoming pallid after spore dispersal. Total 

 height about 5 mm . Stipe black, .about one-third the total height. 

 Columella becoming sinuous some distance below the summit of 

 the sporangium, but traceable almost to the apex. The capillitial 

 branches arise from the columella at right angles and anastomos- 

 ing form an open interior scaffolding of dark drown threads 

 with flat expansions at the junctions. The peripheral net formed 

 by the anastomosing of the ultimate capillitial branches shews 

 polygonal meshes varying considerably in size. Peridial pro- 

 cesses conspicuous. Spores pale violet by transmitted light, 

 smooth, 7 S p in diameter. 



On decaying Pinus strobus and other conifers. 



14. Stemonitis maxima Scbweinitz. Sporangia in tufts, 

 cylindrical, stipitate, purple black in color becoming grey with 

 a purple tint after spore dispersal. Total weigjht about 15 ram . 

 Stipe black, about one-half the total height. Hypothallus thin, 

 transparent and shining. Columella dissipated near the apex 

 in capillitial branches. The peripheral net of uniform, small 

 meshes, the peridial processes short. Interior scaffolding open. 

 Spores violaceous grey by transmitted ligiht, regularly and beau- 

 tifully reticulated, 7 S/^in diameter. 



On decaying Far/us ferruginea. 



15. Stemonitis smithii, Macbr. Sporangia forming dense 

 clusters on a well developed hypothallus, cylindrical, stipitate. 



