LAMPRODERMA 193 



or purple, usually not continuous; columella swollen, obtuse, short at 

 best, hardly attaining the centre of the sporangium; capillitium very 

 rigid, of simple or sparingly branched, dark-brown threads radiating 

 from the clavate apex of the columella and only here and there 

 anastomosing toward the surface, the ultimate divisions distinctly 

 rough; spores lilac brown, rough, 10-12.5 /n. 



This species is well described and illustrated in Rostafinski's Mono- 

 graph. It is well marked by its clavate columella and peculiarly 

 simple, dark rigid capillitium, the branches of which rise in great 

 numbers immediately from the columella, and maintain their primi- 

 tive thickness during the greater part of their length. The transverse 

 vincula are often at right angles to the principal branches, and the 

 meshes, where formed, are often long and rectangular. Externally, 

 it resembles L. arcyrionema, but is by its spores and capillitium in- 

 stantly distinguished. Rostafinski gives the spores 12.5-14.2 [i. 

 Large spores are less common in the specimens before us. Lister 

 figures a sessile variety. 



In our first edition this species was entered from lists published for 

 New England, New York, and Ohio. The intervening years, how- 

 ever, have brought no confirmation. Specimens from Maine and 

 Ohio, with large spores, represent L. columbinum, and those cited 

 for New York are forms of L. violaceum. It is accordingly doubtful 

 that L. physaroides (A. & S.) Rost. occurs in North America. That 

 it is to be found in Europe there seems no doubt. The figure and 

 description by Schweinitz, /. c, may indeed be inconclusive, but 

 Rostafinski's citation and abundant description leave no doubt as to 

 his opinion ; while numerous localities named would indicate adequate 

 material. What Rostafinski described will no doubt obtain wider 

 recognition some day. 



2. Lamproderma robustum Ell. ts" Evh. 



1892. Lamproderma robustum Ell. & Evh., Mass., Man., p. 99. 



1894. Lamproderma violaceum var. sauteri Rost., List., Mycetozoa, p. 129. 



1899. Lamproderma sauteri Rost., Macbr., A'^. A. S., p. 140. 



Sporangia gregarious, globose, dull black, the peridium when pres- 

 ent silvery, shining, or simply smooth, transparent and without irides- 



14 



