150 THE NORTH AMERICAN SLIME-MOULDS 



perfection dependent upon the form assumed by the asthalium, and 

 the conditions of weather, etc., under which it matures, sometimes, 

 especially when prostrate, in a very much depressed asthalium, spread- 

 ing into long fibrous threads, again under better conditions rising in 

 columella-like forms, supporting a peripheral net; spores dark brown 

 or black, irregularly globose, spinulose, 12.5-15 /x. 



Common in Europe, and probably not uncommon in this country 

 wherever pine forests occur. Specimens before us are from New 

 England and New York, Ohio, Carolina, Colorado. Canada. 



Sowerby, in his comment on plate 257, Eng. Fungi, says: "It ap- 

 pears to consist of branching threads affixed to the deal and holding 

 a dense mass of sooty powder. Over the whole is a thin, deciduous 

 pellicle." This description seems to be applicable to nothing else. 

 The figure amounts to little. Fries recognizes the English description, 

 as does Rostafinski, but both authors adopt the later name given by 

 Albertini and Schweinitz, simply because of the excellent detailed 

 description found in the Conspectus. 



Amauroch^te tubulina (Alb. ^ Schiu.) Macbr. 

 Plate XX., 6 and 6 a. 



1805. Sicmonitis tubulina (Alb. & Schw.), Cons. Fung., p. 102. 



1825. Lachnobolus cribrosus Fr., Syst. Orb. Vcg., p. 14. 



1912. Amaurochaete cribrosa (Fr.) Macbr., Com. in litt. to Herbaria, 

 Harvard, etc.^ 



1917. Amaurochaete cribrosa (Fr.) Sturg., G. Lister, Jour. Bot., LVIII, 

 p. 109. 



Plasmodium at first transparent then white then rosy, ashen or 

 grey finally deepening to jet-black; the aethalium even, thin, variable 

 in extent from one to ten centimeters, covered by a distinct but thin 

 transparent cortex, papillate, extended laterally but a short distance 

 beyond the fructification, fragile, soon disappearing ; hypothallus long- 

 persistent, thin, silvery, supporting the 'capillitium as if by stipes, 

 short slender columns, irregular plates, expansions, etc. ; the capil- 

 litium an intricate network, very abundant, elastic, on fall of the 

 peridium appearing like tiny tufts of wool, the meshes large, but 

 formed as in Stemonitis, persistent, dull black ; spores, under the lens, 

 dull olivaceous black, minutely roughened, 12—14 /i. 



iVid. Mycologia, N. Y., Vol. IX., p. 328. 



