232 THE NORTH AMERICAN SLIME-MOULDS 



reticulations of the net are generally small and the ribs numerous. 

 This is the most highly differentiated, finished type of the species. 



b. D. cancellatum purpureum. — Sporangium dark, the purple 

 tints predominating, the stipe tapering upward, more or less twisted 

 at the paler, sometimes almost colorless, apex. The stipe ranges a 

 little shorter than in the preceding variety, three to seven times the 

 sporangium. The reticulations of the net are often coarse, the ribs 

 being fewer ; the whole structure weak and showing signs of im- 

 perfect development. 



The figures, \, \ a, \ b, \ c, I. c, illustrate the ideal accomplish- 

 ment in form (a). The color is a clear definite brown with no sug- 

 gestion of purple any^vhere. The stipes are three or four times the 

 diameter of the sporangium, brown below, white above, and twisted 

 to allow the sporangium to hang inverted. This is complete in every 

 part; a definite bell-shaped calyx, widening into the cancellate re- 

 ceptacle, the margin constricted, and closed at last by the apical net, 

 cribrum, sign of the order. 



In form (b), the structure is similar but by no means so sym- 

 metrical and complete. The calyx often fails, or is present by ob- 

 scure indications only. The cancellation is coarser, the number of 

 ribs fewer, the whole sporangmm more or less globose ; ferruginous 

 or purple, the prevailing tint. Figs, on PI. I. are from the ferru- 

 ginous type. 



Figure 3 represents a beautiful thing; cup-less, ellipsoidal, delicate, 

 of average size and in every way well-proportioned, clear rosy brown 

 in color. 



This may stand for a third variety; (c) D. cancellatum prolatum. 



Common everywhere. The fruit appears in June on decaying 

 logs and stumps of various species of deciduous trees, conifers, etc., 

 the finest, and greatest variety, are from southern Missouri. 



Order IV 



LYCOGALALES 



Fructification aethalioid ; peridium membranaceous, tough, simple, 

 without vesiculose with protoplasmic masses, within gelatinous; the 



