METHODS il 
only species of the group in question, but many other interesting 
fungi, more especially species of the genus Chaetomium. Sor- 
daria fimicola and Pleurage anserina appear especially well adapted 
to a paper substratum, and probably in no less than a half dozen 
instances fine and more nearly pure cultures were obtained on the 
papers than on the original substratum. Indeed, these two species 
have been collected on a paper substratum by several individuals. 
The first examination of the cultures occurred within twenty- 
four hours after their preparation as described above. This gave 
a record of all species occurring on the material when sent in. 
Sometimes good things were found at this time, but more often 
the perithecia observed were in no-condition for study. The next 
critical examination occurred about five days later. In the mean- 
time species of the Agaricaceae which developed in abundance 
were removed each morning. After this the cultures were ex- 
amined every second day until finally discarded. No culture was 
continued longer than eight or less than four weeks, the average 
being continued about six weeks. 
Each species cultivated in this way was carefully studied, 
described, measured and figured from the first living specimens 
obtained. At the same time 3 to 6 permanent mounts were made 
in either glycerine or 2-per-cent. chrome alum. Subsequent obser- 
vations often required that both figures and descriptions be modi- 
fied as a better knowledge was obtained of the species variations. 
The final descriptions as they appear in this paper were rewritten 
from these notes, slides and drawings, with careful attention, of 
course, in all published species, to the diagnoses given by others. 
Many methods were employed in making permanent micro- 
scopic mounts, but two were finally adopted which appeared most 
successful and expedient. In no case has anything been found 
which will preserve the gelatinous appendages of the spores, nor is it 
at all probable that anything can be found which will preserve the 
more delicate ones, for they disappear in water or salt solution in 
afew minutes almost completely. At first, cells were prepared on 
the slide for the reception of the mounting fluid and the object, 
but this was soon dispensed with as cumbersome and unnecessary. 
. The object was mounted in the one case, in a drop of two per cent. 
aqueous solution of chrome alum on the flat slide, sufficient pres- 
H 
