252 A Monograph of the Myxogastres. 



frequently of stellate crystals. Cliondriodcrma 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 Hakes. The same change takes place 

 in Physanoii granulatum, Balf. fil., and Mr. Harold Wingate, of 

 Philadelphia, has remarked the same conversion of carbonate 

 of lime into the bicarbonate in Chondriodcriaa Michdii, and 

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

 and possibly after it has been dry and again subjected to 

 moisture." 



Distrih. Europe ; West Indies ; Ceylon ; Java, Species 8. 



A. Spores smooth. 

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



Sporangia spherical, stipitate, slightly or not at all umbilicate 

 below, UacJcish-hrown, variegated with rather large lohite sccdes, 

 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; coluviella hemispherical or suh- 

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

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

 flexuous; spores smooth, dingy violet, globose, 10 — 12 fx 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 hroad base, convex, circular 

 or elongated, often Jlexuous and anastomosing in a reticulate 



