136 



Mycologia 



the list of synonyms given. Though this list is probably incom- 

 plete it shows that the fungus has not only been described under 

 various generic names but that the conidial form has been re- 

 ferred to such widely separated genera as Dacryomyces, among 

 the Basidiomycetes and Sphaeronenia and Titbercularia among 

 the Imperfecta This is an excellent example of the confusion 

 which prevails in the present nomenclature and taxonomy of the 

 ascomycetes. This deplorable condition must be remedied before 

 much permanent progress can be made in systematic mycology. 



It has been found that three distinct types of fructification are 

 developed in the life cycle of this fungus. The oldest, name 

 which we have yet proved to belong to the first or conidial stage 

 is Hainesia lythri (Desm.) v. Hohnel (see pi. 8). The second or 

 pycnidial stage, will be referred to as Sclerotiopsis concava 

 (Desm.) (see pi. 9), and the third or ascogenous stage as Pezlzella 

 lythri (Desm.) (see pi. 10, figs. 19-22). 



■ The first record we have of the conidial form of the fungus in 

 our laboratory is by the late Dr. W. Ralph Jones who secured 

 cultures from Rubus in May, 1912, which were referred tenta- 

 tively to Patcllina, The fungus was next found on decaying 

 strawberries sent by Mr. G. M. Darrow of the Bureau of Plant 

 Industry from Tennessee. It produced shallow cup-shaped, pink- 

 ish-yellow bodies and was doubtfully referred to the genus Ex- 

 cipula. In 191 5 specimens of decaying strawberries bearing the 

 same fungus were received from Hammond, Louisiana. Several 

 other collections were also received from the same locality the 

 same season. This conidial stage on strawberry was described 

 and figured by F. L. Stevens and A. Peterson (1916) as Patcllina 

 fragariae n, sp. 



During the spring of 1918 the writers found the rot caused by 

 this fungus to be very common on strawberries in the markets of 

 New York City and Washington and a thorough study of the 

 organism was undertaken. The same year what appeared to be 

 the same fungus was found frequently on rotting dewberries at 

 Hamlet, Cameron and other points in North Carolina and at 

 Hammonton, New Jersey. It has also been found on red and 

 black raspberries in the New York markets and is not uncommon 



