268 THE NORTH AMERICAN SLIME-MOULDS 



Key to the Species of Trichia 



A. Sporangia, in tjpical cases at least, wholly sessile. 



a. Gregarious; hypothallus none. 



i. Peridium brown or reddish brown. 

 *Elaters smooth. 



t Spirals even, regular . . .1.7". inconspicua 

 ttSpiials irregular ... 2. T. contorta 



** Elaters rough, spinescent . . 3. T. ioivensis 



ii Peridium olivaceous or yellow. 



♦Elaters smooth 4. T, varia 



b. Hypothallus distinct; sporangia crowded; spores reticulate, band- 



ed, or netted, 

 i. Spore-bands pitted .... 6. T. persimilis 



ii. Spore-bands, narrow, plain . . . 1. T. favoginea 

 iii. Spores covered by a delicate net . . S. T. scabra 



B. Sporangia stipitate. 



a. Hypothallus distinct 8. T. verrucosa 



b. Hypothallus none; peridium checkered with pale reticulations. 



i. Brownish red of black . . . . 10. T. botrytis 

 ii. Olivaceous. 



* Elaters smooth .... 11. T. subfusca 



** Elaters rough 12. T. erecta 



c. Peridium plain, shining 13. T. decipiens 



d. Peridium plain, dull black . . . . 14. T. lateritia 



1. Trichia inconspicua Rostafinski. 



Plate HI., Figs. 5, 5 a, 5 b. 

 1875. Trichia inconspicua Rost, Mon., p. 259. 



Sporangia gregarious or crowded, small, spherical, ellipsoidal or 

 arcuate, brown or reddish brow^i, sessile; hypothallus none; capilli- 

 tium dull, dark, ochraceous, the elaters long, slender, even, about 3 /x 

 wide, the spirals three or four rather closely wound, the apices 

 attenuate, acute, sometimes turned to one side; spore-mass concolor- 

 ous, spores pale ochraceous, minutely but distinctly warted, 10-12 /a. 



One of the smallest of the Trichiae, not uncommon in the Missis- 

 sippi valley on decaying fallen stems of Populus — sp. Distinguished 

 at sight from all except No. 3 following, by its small size and brown 

 color. Under the lens the long, delicate, finely sculptured capillitial 

 threads, with fine tapering threads are distinctive. 



New England, New York, Pennsylvania, Illinois, Iowa, Mis- 

 souri, Nebraska; Black Hills, South Dakota; Toronto. 



