ASCOMYCETES. 485 



and occurring everywhere by roadsides, is the commonest species in the 

 islands. So far as known this species has not been found elsewhere in 

 North America having- originally been described from Europe. None of the 

 very large species have been collected in Bermuda, although they are likely 

 to be found to occur there. 



Probably the most abundant collections of Discomycetes made in Ber- 

 muda consisted of those species, usually small, which occur on the dung of 

 animals. In addition to a number of the common species, one, Ascophanus 

 hermudensis, has been described as new and is known only from Bermuda. 



Another species of considerable interest is Pyronema omphalodes 

 which forms pink masses on burned places. So far as known, this plant 

 occurs in nature only on ground which has been heated by burning. In 

 greenhouses it occurs on soil which has been steamed or heated in some 

 other manner. The fungus is probably world-wide in its distribution and 

 has attracted a great deal of interest. Actual experiment has shown the 

 spores to be able to keep their viability for nearly three years under the 

 most unfavorable conditions. This and the ease with Avhich the spores are 

 disseminated will probably account for the occurrence of this and other 

 similar species in Bermuda with its conditions of isolation. 



Still another species which is attractive and interesting is Pithya 

 Cupressi. The species forms great numbers of fruiting discs about an 

 eighth of an inch in diameter on recently killed foliage of Bermuda cedar. 

 While the fungus appears to be a saprophyte, it is possible that the 

 mycelium attacks the trees while living, producing its fruit after the 

 branches have died. While the plants were collected but once in Bermuda, 

 Ihey were found in large quantities. 



Order 3. PERISPORIALES. 



This order includes the sooty moulds of which the following species 

 have been collected and named: Dimerosporium melioloides (Berk. & Curt.) 

 Ellis & Ev. on the living leaves of Baccharis; Meliola Cookeana Speg. on 

 the leaves otLippia; Meliola circinans Earle on the leaves of saw-grass and 

 Asterina pelliculosa Berk., the last being reported by the Challenger Ex- 

 pedition on coffee leaves. 



Order 4. HYPOCREALES. 

 Family 1. NECTRIACEAE. 



Of this family the blood-red fungus, Nectria sanguinea (Bolton) 

 Fries has been collected, also Sphaerostilbe flammea (Berk. & Rav.) Tul., 

 the latter being associated with scale insects. Three endemic sj^ecies have 

 also been described by the writer, Nectria Lantanae Seaver, Caloncctria 

 Umbelliferarum Seaver and Calonectria granulosa Seaver. 



Family 2. HYPOCREACEAE. 



Three species of this family have been collected, Cordyceps militaris 

 (L.) Link on pupae of insects; also Hypocrea patella Cooke & Peck and 

 Stilbocrea liypocreoides (Kalch. & Cooke) Seaver, the last two on decay- 

 ing wood. 



