LAMPRODERMA 195 



Rostafinski distinguished this beautiful species by the color of the 

 peridium and the conic columella. According to Mr. Lister, Rosta- 

 finski was not specially careful in labelling his material, different 

 forms having been included under this specific name. Nevertheless, 

 the description is well drawn, and excludes L. physaroides completely. 

 At all events our American specimens correspond so well with the 

 description of L. columbinum (Pers.) Rost, that there seems no 

 doubt that we have here what the Polish author figured and de- 

 scribed, whether or not he was always consistent in applying his 

 labels. The color distinguishes at sight the present species from L. 

 physaroides, and the capillitium and large rough brown spores dis- 

 tinguish it from L. violaceuni. The capillitium of the minute L. 

 scintillans is much denser and more rigid, and the spores smaller. 

 The stipe when dry is ciliate. 



This is the common species of our western mountains, especially on 

 the Pacific slope. In the Cascades every dark ravine is certain to 

 show it in later summer and autumn, far extended colonies covering 

 the moist surfaces of every mouldering log; the myriad globoid 

 sporangia giving back when brought to the sunlight the most extrava- 

 gant blues and greens with all the splendor of metallic sheen, their 

 brilliant beauty never fails to quicken the attention of even the most 

 insensate tourist. 



Abundant in the western forests, in the east extremely rare ; Maine, 

 Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Washington, Oregon ; Vancouver, 

 Canada. 



4. Lamproderma scintillans (Berk. &' Br.) Morg. 

 Plate V., Figs. 2, 2 a. 



1877. Stemonitis scintillans Berk. & Br., Jour. Linn. Soc, XV., p. 2. 



1877. Lamproderma arcyrioides, var. iridea Cke., Myx. G. B., p. 50. 



1892. Lamproderma irideum (Cke.) Mass., Mon., p. 95. 



1894. Lamproderma scintillans (Berk. & Br.) Morg., Jour. Cin. Soc, p. 47. 



Sporangia gregarious, scattered, globose or depressed-globose, rich 

 metallic blue or purple, iridescent, stipitate ; the stipe long, slender, 

 even, inclined and nodding or sometimes erect; hypothallus small, 

 circular; columella cylindric, small, not reaching the centre, black; 



