671 



sterile at the apex. Perithecia ovate-globose, about J mm. diaui., 

 unequally crowded, or scattered at intervals along the stem, singly or 

 2-4 together, broadly prominent, with a conic-papilliform ostiolum. 

 Asci (p. sp.) cylindrical, 75-85 x 5 /i, with a slender stipe and abundant 

 paraphyses. Sporidia uniseriate, oblong-elliptical, attenuated at the 

 ends, subinequilateral, 10-12 x4-5 //. 



On decaying wood in wells and cisterns, Bethlehem, Pa. (Schw. 

 & Ran), New Jersey (Torrey), West Chester, Pa. (Fergus). 



The fungus, as found by Mr. Rau, grew on the sides of an old 

 wooden pump standing in a well. Where the long, rhizomorphoid 

 stems come in contact with the wood, they are attached to it (for sup- 

 port, apparently) by a thin, felt-like, black subiculum, and at these 

 points, adjacent stems are often connected by anastomosing branches 

 which are sterile, only the free portions of the stems bearing peri- 

 thecia. 



D. Head with the apex sterile, stipe villose {Xylodactyla). 



* Head clavate, simple. 



X. persickria, (Schw.) 



SpheBrta persicaria, Schw. Syn. Car. No. 9. 

 Xylaria persicaHa^ B. & C. Grev. IV, p. 48. 



Cespitose. Stem flexuous, rarely branched, rooting, 3 inches long 

 and over, about as thick as a crow's quill, at first greenish-villose, 

 finally black (or sec. specc. examined by Fries) ferruginous. Peri- 

 thecia very prominent, situated in the middle of the club or head, 

 which is slightly flesh-colored, becoming light yellow. 



On peach pits, Carolina (Schw.). 



The length of the stem varies according to the depth at which the 

 pits ate buried in the soil — sometimes 6 inches long. The specc. in 

 Herb. Schw. are branched above, but are immature. 



X. acuta, Pk. 25th Rep. p. 101. 



Gregarious or subcespitose, 1-1 \ inches high. Club cylindrical 

 or subfusiform, generally with a sterile, acute apex, blackish-brown, 

 central substance white, with a radiating structure. Stem involved in 

 a dense, purplish tomentum, which causes it to appear bulbous. Peri- 

 thecia globose, black. Sporidia uniseriate, elliptical, sometimes slightly 

 curved, colored, 15-17 ;u long. 



On mossy, decaying logs, in woods. New York (Peck). . 



We have seen no specimens of this, but it is probably not distinct 

 from X. digitata. 



