252 A Monograph of the Myxogastres. 



frequently of stellate crystals. Ckondrioderma differs in having 

 the external wall of lime forming a polished, porcelain-like crust. 

 In the present genus the carbonate of lime is present in the form 

 of very minute amorphous lumps until near to maturity, when 

 it is dissolved and reappears as bicarbonate of lime deposited 

 in comparatively large flakes. The same change takes place 

 in Physarum granulatum, Balf. fil, and Air. Harold Wingate, of 

 Philadelphia, has remarked the same conversion of carbonate 

 of lime into the bicarbonate in Chondrioderma Michelii, and 

 adds, " I feel positive it takes place after the plant has matured, 

 and possibly after it has been dry and again subjected to 

 moisture." 



Distril. Europe ; West Indies ; Ceylon ; Java. Species 8. 



A. Spores smooth. 



Lepidoderma stellatum, Mass. (figs. 223 225). 



Spqjangia spherical, stipitate, slightly or not at all umbilicate 

 below, blacJcish-brown, variegated with rather large white scales, 

 ruptured at maturity nearly to the base in a stellate manner, into 

 4 6 acute, irregular segments; stem rather thick, erect or 

 rarely curved, striate, white; columella hemisplierical or rnl- 

 davate, rather prominent, whitish or tinged yellow ; threads of 

 the capillitiuin very slender, branching at acute angles, hyaline, 

 flexuous; spores smooth, dingy violet, globose, 10 12 /u, diam. 



Grevillea, vol. xvii., March (1889). 



On rotten wood. Dominica (Ramage). 



A very fine and distinct species, 2'5 3'5 mm. high ; scattered 

 or gregarious. When young the sporangia are pure white, 

 the outer coat becoming broken up into large white distinct 

 scales as the sporangium expands. Readily recognized by the 

 white stem, colourless capillitium, whitish columella and smooth 

 spores ; the mode of dehiscence is also characteristic. 



Lepidoderma reticulatum, Mass. 



Sporangia gregarious, sessile on a broad base, convex, circular 

 or elongated, often flexuous and anastomosing in a reticulate 



