: Scofield : DICTYOPHORA RAVENELII BURT. 535 
indusium is attached and often it clings so closely to the inner 
surface of the pileus as to be mistaken for a portion of that 
structure. 
The gleba is much more persistent than in most forms of the 
family, maintaining itself for some hours after the elongation of 
the stipe. Its structure at this stage is very indefinite. Slight 
traces of the hymenium may be found, but for the most part it 
consists of a disorganized tissue containing masses of spores 
scattered about, held by the surrounding substance. The spores 
are very small, 1.5-2.5 mikrons in diameter, somewhat oblong 
and greenish black. In order to show the structure of the 
gleba the drawings for Figs. 16 and 17 were made from a 
young stage of the sporophore such as is shown in Fig. 6. 
In conclusion the results of the study so far made upon this 
plant seem to suggest the following points : 
1. The mycelium of the plant is of considerable structural 
importance and deserves further attention. 
2. There are borne upon the mycelium certain organs which 
seem to function as storage places for reserve material. 
3. There is in the young mycelial threads very good evidence 
of the occurrence of cell fusion previous to, or in intimate con- 
nection with the formation of the sporophore. 
4. The indusium of this plant cannot be considered homol- 
ogous with the indusium of true members of the genus Dzctyo- 
phora; but is rather the persisting remnant of tissue which is 
completely broken down in most other plants of this order. 
EXPLANATION OF PLATES. 
PLratE XXIX.—Field view of undeveloped sporophores, from 
photograph by C. J. Hibbard. 
PLATE XXX.—Field view showing mature sporophore, from 
photograph by C. J. Hibbard. 
PLATE XXXI.—Structure and development of /. raveneliz. 
1. A very young sporophore; V, volva; A, receptaculum. X 50. 
2-7. Development of the sporophore; B, base; V, the outer layer 
of the volva; V’’, the middle layer of the volva; V°*, the inner layer 
of the volva; /, indusium; S, stipe; /, pileus; G, gleba; C, collar, 
and X,, tissue remnant within the stipe. 
$. Small mycelial strand with branch ‘¢a” leading to young sporo- 
phore. x 50. 
