200 THE NORTH AMERICAN SLIME-MOULDS 



and regularly rounded or elliptical ; the peridium simple, rather firm, 

 ruptured irregularly or by simple fissure; hypothallus none. 



This genus is distinguished from other similar plasmodiocarpous 

 forms by the extreme simplicity of its structure. There is absolutely 

 no capillitium nor anything like it, simply a mass of spores surrounded 

 by thin membranous walls. The spores range from pale olive, color- 

 less under the lens, through various shades of brown to dusky almost 

 black in L. pusilla. Schrader included the Tubifera species. 



Key to the Species of Licea 



A. Plainly plasmodiocarpous . . .- . . 1. L. variabilis 



B. Opening by regular segments. 



1. Segments two only 3. L, biforis 



2. Segments several. 



i. Spores brown 4. L. minima 



ii. Spores dusky olive 5. L. pusilla 



1. LiCEA VARIABILIS Schrader. 



Plate XII., Figs. 7 and 8. 



1797. Licea variabilis Schrader, Nov. Gen., p. 18, PI. VI., Figs. 5 and 6. 



1801. Licea variabilis Schr., Pers., Syn. Meth., p. 197. 



1801. Licea flexuosa Pers., Syn. Meth., p. 197. 



1911. Licea flexuosa Pers., List., Mycetozoa, 2nd ed., p. 189. 



Fructification plasmodiocarpous, elongate, hamate, annulate or ir- 

 regularly repent, very dark brown, rough, the peridium of two layers, 

 the outer closely adhering, dark brown, thick, opaque, the inner deli- 

 cate, membranous, very thin, transparent, iridescent, rugulose, rup- 

 turing irregularly; hypothallus none; spores in mass pale yellow with 

 a greenish tinge, by transmitted light nearly colorless, large, globose, 

 minutely spinulose, 12.5 ^. 



This is the largest species of the genus as represented in this coun- 

 try, the plasmodiocarps of various lengths and from .5-.7 /x wide. 

 Somewhat resembling some species of Ophiotheca, but of much darker 

 color. The outer peridium is deciduous, and the inner slowly rup- 

 tures, by irregular fissures discharging the spores. The Plasmodium, 

 according to Schrader, is white. Rare. Probably overlooked. 



Any good reason for changing the name given to this form so well 



