HONOGRAni CP THE LAHOULCENIACE.E. 2S') 
A most singular jjlaiit looking like a two-pronged fork or a pair of inverted i)iuccrs, between 
the black arms of which arise tlic two peritheeia. The lower portion of tlic receptacle is so opaque 
that the cell structure is indistinguishable; but, as far as It c;iu be made out, (he lower trans- 
verse scries of cells consists of a long median cell, on cKher fiide, of wliich two, perhaps Uucc, 
cells arc cut off in a fasliion simihir to that represented in the figuie of 7). prinerpif (Phito VllT, 
figs. 11-12). In the present, as well as in the rcmaiuiug s{)cci('s, ilu3 appcndagi^s vary somowliat 
in number according to the number of terminal cells in the distal and sub-distnl scries, wliich is 
not quite constant; and, in the majority of individuals, but few of the appendages remain 
unbroken at maturity. Of the two appendages situated between the peritheeia, one represents 
the original terminal appendage of the genninaiing spore. The g(Mieral form of the receptacle 
is quite characteristic, and in the region of the distal scries of cells it is disf inctly concave on the 
anterior side, the posterior face being somcwjjat cuuvex. 
From the fact that its host is dark-colored, while the parasite itself is partly blackened, it is 
often very dltTicult to detect, lying, as it generally docs, appress'd against the surface of the 
former. It sometimes occurs, liowever, in such large numbers that it is seen without any diUl- 
eulty, and in such cases, although it is usually found on the undor surface of tho abdomen, it 
may extend to the legs, thorax and all parts of the body of its host. Its natural position 
seems to be with the tip of the pcritheci\im turned toward the extremity of the insect's body, and 
the anterior face turned inward, the peritheeia being turned slightly backward (upward). 
Althou'^h the host is very common, this species, like its relatives in the genus, seems to 
be 
decidedly rare. 
DiCHOMYCES ix^QUALis Tliaxtcr. Plate VI, figs. BO-34. 
Proc. Am. Acarl. Arts and Sci. Vol. XXIX, p. 103. 
Receptacle as in D.furciferus, it?, fork-like projections prominent and indistinctly septate, 
the distal row of cells bearing a single perithccium ; otherwise symmetrical, except that the sub- 
median cell, above which a second perithccium arises in B. furcifems, is much reduced in size. 
Appendages ten to twelve, one external to and near the base of each antheridium, two above tlic 
median cell of the distal row, and three to four borne ouc from each of the three to four cells of 
the distal row external to the sub-median cells, all arising as in B.furdfcrm. Perithccium large, 
slightly mflated towards the base ; or sub-cylindrical, tapering abrui)tly at the extremity to a sub- 
tnmcate apex destitute of appendages. Spores, 26 x 3.5 /i. Peritheeia, 100 x 25 /a. Receptacle, 
length to base of perithccium, 92^; length to tips of lateral forks, 110-130/x; greatest breadth, 
50-60 /x. Total length to tip of perithccium, 180-190 ^. 
On PJnlonthus dehilis Grav. Kittery Point, :Mainc, and Wavcrly, Mass. 
This species occurs, sometimes in company with D.furciferus, on the abdomen, more rarely 
on the less and thorax of its host. It is at once distinguished by its solitary perithccium, 
which is destitute of the terminal outgrowths peculiar to the last named species. It is much 
more common in the localities mentioned than its ally, nnd in none of the numerous 
specimens examined does there appear to be any variation in the points of structure which dis- 
tinguish it. In no instance was any attempt observed to produce the usual pair of peritheeia, 
and the single perithecium, by its larger size, soniewhat different form, and abruj.tly truncate 
apex, serves readily to distinguish it. 
