160 



small end of each spore ahvays uppermost. Branching para- 

 physes were not observed nor are the paraphyses so enlarged at 

 their ends as in the form on Thuja. The margin of the apothe- 

 cium consists of filaments similar in form to the paraph.yses form- 

 ing there a false excipulum. The hypothecium is poorly devel- 

 oped. Durand has referred to the weak development of the 

 excipulum and hypothecium in all the species of Keithia. On 

 the basis of his studies he is of the opinion that the afilinities of 

 Keithia are not with the Phacidiaceae as contended b}- Saccardo 

 but with the Stictidiaceae. 



The manner of dehiscence, the poorly developed excipulum 

 and hypothecium and the soft, waxy condition of the apothecia 

 are certainly characters showing relationship to Stictidiaceae 

 rather than to the Phacidiaceae. 



The differences mentioned are made the basis on which the 

 following new species is described. 



Keithia Chamaecyparissi sp. nov. 



Apothecia epiphyllous, intra-epidermal, erumpent by marginal 

 dehiscence of overlying cell walls in form of scale, slightly ele- 

 vated, cushion-like, waxy, olive brown, circular, elliptical or 

 curved, 135-300/i broad X 430-1 02 5/x long; asci two-spored, 

 elongate clavate, 13-18 X 72-90/i; paraphyses filiform, septate, 

 slightly longer than asci, ascospores at first hyaline, becoming 

 olive brown when mature, continuous when young, divided into 

 two unequal cells, the distal one smaller, pyriform-ellipsoid, 

 10-13 X I5-24M- 



On leaves of Chamaecyparis ihyoides (L.) B.S.P. 



Type locality : Lakehurst, New Jersey. 



Distribution : Known only from the type locality. 



Specimens have been deposited in the herbarium of the Bo- 

 tanical Department of Columbia University and the New York 

 Botanical Garden. 



Columbia University 



