THE MYXOMYCETES OF PICTOU COUNTY. MOORE. 197 



Family, AECYIE^E. 



Characterized by the capillitium forming a distinct elastic 

 net attached below to the sporangial wall. The thickenings on 

 the threads take the farm of spines, warts, cogs, half ring, etc., 

 often arranged in a spiral but never take the form of continuous 

 spiral bands. The family is represented in my collections by 

 four species all of the genus Arcyria. 



Genus,, Arcyria (Hill) Pers. 



Fructifications of distinct stipitate sporangia ; the peridium 

 evanescent above, persistent below as a calyculus. Capillitium 

 a more or less elastic net without free ends, attached below to 

 the interior of the stipe or to the calyculus. The threads or 

 tubules are marked with spines^ cogs, half rings, etc. The stipe 

 is hollow and filled with spore-like cells or vesicles. 



28. Arcyria nuians (Bull.) Grev. Sporangia cylindrical, 

 distinct, stipitate crowded on ,a well developed hypothallus, 

 dusky yellow in color and about 7 mm in total height. Stipe 

 generally long, 5 mm in length, and weak, filled with spore-like 

 vesicles. Capillitium expanding to form a very loose, drooping 

 net, dusky yellow in color, one^half to three-fourth of a centi- 

 metre in length, loosely attached to the calyculus, the tubules 

 are marked with close-set spines and cogs arranged in an open 

 spiral, and in addition to these their surface frequently shew 

 faint reticulations. Calyculus spinulose within. Spores pale 

 by transmitted light, very slightly roughened, 7 10 ^ in 

 diameter. 



A common species occurring on decaying wood of various 

 conifers. 



29. Arcyria incarnata, Persoon. Sporangia closely crowded, 

 cylindrical, stipitate, 1 1.5 mm in total height. Stipe 

 short, about .25 mm long, or reduced to a mere point beneath 

 the calyculus, dark colored, furrowed and filled with spore- 

 like cells. Calyculus plicate to the margin and spinulose. 



