Shear and Dodge :Patellina, Leptothyrium, Peziza 161 



Ceuthospora rubi Petrak (1911). This is apparently a 

 nomcn nudum, as we have been unable to find any description of 

 it. The name is used on specimens distributed by Petrak in his 

 exsiccati, Fl. Bohem. et Morav. No. 512 and was found on canes 

 of Rubus thrysoideus. A specimen of this number which we have 

 examined is identical with Sclcrotiopsis concara. 



III. Ascogenous Stage, Pezizella lythri (Desm.) n. comb. 



Peziza (Mollisia) oenotherae C. & E. Cooke and Ellis 

 (1878), described this discomycete which Ellis collected upon old 

 stems of Oenothera. An examination of a part of the original 

 material from Ellis' herbarium and also of the specimens dis- 

 tributed in North American Fungi Exsiccati No. 846 and Fungi 

 Columb. No. 244 shows that this is identical with the disco- 

 mycete which we have found on this same host and on various 

 other hosts associated with the conidial and pyenidial form, and 

 which has been demonstrated by single ascus cultures and inocu- 

 lation to be identical. If the ascogenous form has ever been de- 

 scribed or reported from Europe we have been unable thus far 

 to find it. The discocarps have been found abundantly on old 

 leaves of Oenothera, Rubus, Gaura, Steironema, Prunus, Salix 

 and other hosts. They are generally accompanied by the pye- 

 nidial form and also usually by the conidial form as well. 



Pezizella oenotherae (C. & E.) Sacc. Saccardo (1889) re- 

 ferred Cooke and Ellis' species to Pezizella. This w r as merely a 

 transfer of the species to this genus and was not based on any 

 new material or information. 



Until we have much more knowledge of the life histories, com- 

 parative morphology and taxonomic value of the various charac- 

 ters and also can agree as to the generic types, it will be impos- 

 sible to make any satisfactory disposition of the numerous genera 

 and species of the discomycetes. In the meantime all attempts 

 at classification must be regarded as tentative and of little value. 

 The treatment of genera of discomycetes by the various systema- 

 tists such as Phillips, Rehm, Boudier, Saccardo, von Hohnel and 

 others is so diverse that one is left in a quandary as to what 

 course to pursue in dealing with members of this group. 



