Scofidd : DICTYOPHORA RAVENELII BURT. 536 



inclusium is attached and often it clings so closely to the inner 

 surface of the pileus as to be mistaken for a portion of that 

 structure. 



The gleba is much more persistent than in most forms of the 

 family, maintaining itself for some hours after the elongation of 

 the stipe. Its structure at this stage is very indefinite. Slight 

 traces of the hymenium may be found, but for the most part it 

 consists of a disorganized tissue containing masses of spores 

 scattered about, held by the surrounding substance. The spores 

 are very small, 1.5-2.5 mikrons in diameter, somewhat oblong 

 and greenish black. In order to show the structure of the 

 gleba the drawings for Figs. 16 and 17 were made from a 

 young stage of the sporophore such as is shown in Fig. 6. 



In conclusion the results of the study so far made upon this 

 plant seem to suggest the following points : 



1. The mycelium of the plant is of considerable structural 

 importance and deserves further attention. 



2. There are borne upon the mycelium certain organs which 

 seem to function as storage places for reserve material. 



3. There is in the young mycelial threads very good evidence 

 of the occurrence of cell fusion previous to, or in intimate con- 

 nection with the formation of the sporophore. 



4. The indusium of this plant cannot be considered homol- 

 ogous with the indusium of true members of the genus Dictyo- 

 phora; but is rather the persisting remnant of tissue which is 

 completely broken down in most other plants of this order. 



EXPLANATION OF PLATES. 



PLATE XXIX. Field view of undeveloped sporophores, from 

 photograph by C. J. Hibbard. 



PLATE XXX. Field view showing mature sporophore, from 

 photograph by C. J. Hibbard. 



PLATE XXXI. Structure and development of /. ravenelii. 



i. A very young sporophore ; V, volva; 7?, receptaculum. x 5- 



2-7. Development of the sporophore ; B, base ; V, the outer layer 

 of the volva; K 2 , the middle layer of the volva; K 3 , the inner layer 

 of the volva ; /, indusium ; S, stipe ; P, pileus ; G, gleba ; C, collar, 

 and A'", tissue remnant within the stipe. 



8. Small mycelial strand with branch "a" leading to young sporo- 

 phore. x 50. 



