37 



Genus 14. DICTYDIUM 



There is but a single species, D. cancellatum. It is related to 

 Cribraria, but the wall instead of forming a net with nodes, 

 consists of numerous, straight ribs extending from the base to 

 the apex, and connected by transverse, slender threads. Occa- 

 sionally there is an irregular net at the top, and often a more or 

 less well defined cup at the base. The color is purple-brown or 

 purple, and the long crooked or twisted stalks are red or purple- 

 brown. Several varieties are based on color; the presence of a 

 cup; or the presence of a net in the upper part. The species is an 

 exception to the rule of spore color as in the purple phase the 

 spores also show purple tints. The form is common and abun- 

 dant. 



Genus 15. TUBIFERA 



In this genus the three species form aethalia or clusters of 

 more or less closely compacted, brown, erect, cylindrical spo- 

 rangia. There is no true capillitium. The common species is T. 

 ferruginosa, forming aethalia 1-8 cm. across. The sporangia are 

 usually connected but they may be almost free at times. The 

 aethalia show on the outside the convex or conical apices of the 

 component sporangia. T. stipitata is the same as T. ferruginosa 

 but has a short, stout, spongy-like stalk. T. Casparyi is also 

 like T. ferruginosa, but not common, and has in many sporangia 

 a long, thin, dark, columella attached by processes to the wall. 



Genus 16. ENTERIDIUM 



In this genus the individual identity of the component spo- 

 rangia is so far lost that only vestiges of the former peridial walls 

 remain within the aethalium. The common species is E. Roze- 

 anum which has brown, subglobose or irregular aethalia up to 

 4-5 cm. across. The cortex or peridium is firm, and if this is 

 lifted partly with a needle, there will be observed attached to it 

 many perforated, membranous bands or plates. The form re- 

 sembles Reticularia lycoperdon in appearance, and also in the 

 spores, but in that monotypic genus the attached plates are 

 absent, and instead there is a bush-like mass of stranded threads 

 at the base of the aethalium. 



