116 



Mycologia 



Since the genus Lasiosphaeria was founded numerous species 

 have been placed in the genus which more properly belong with 

 other genera of the Trichosphaeriaceae. The genus, therefore, 

 as here treated is used in a somewhat restricted sense to include 

 the species which, in the judgment of the writer, properly belong 

 here. While as a rule the members of the genus have hairy peri- 

 thecia in a few the perithecia are not conspicuously hairy at least 

 when old. The delicate walled, long and usually vermiform 

 spores constitute one of the most valuable diagnostic characters 

 of the genus. 



So far as the form and variability of the spores is concerned 

 this group shows a very close relationship with the Fimetariaceae 

 (Sordariaceae), the chief difference being in the consistency of 

 the perithecia which may be due in part at least to the difference 

 in substratum. Referring to Pleurage albicans, Griffiths- says : 

 " A very interesting species from the fact that mature spores are 

 seldom met with. . . . Often one may find asci in which the 

 spores are slightly enlarged at the end, but it is seldom that they 

 can be found in even the olive-green stage. In the vast majority 

 of cases they are simply the long cylindrical curved guttulate 

 structures that are the forerunners of the spores of so many of 

 the species of the genus." The same statement will apply equally 

 well to several species of the genus Lasiosphaeria as shown by 

 the illustrations accompanying the present paper. While Pleurage 

 lutea (Ellis & Ev.) Kuntze which occurs on wood is commonly 

 placed with the Fimetariaceae it is doubtful whether it should 

 not more properly have been placed in the genus Lasiosphaeria 

 with the family Trichosphaeriaceae. As a whole the present 

 genus shows a rather close relationship with the genus Pleurage 

 of the Fimetariaceae. 



As the present paper is preliminary to a treatment of the family 

 Trichosphaeriaceae in North American Flora, any data regarding 

 additional species in the genus Lasiosphaeria or notes regarding 

 the extension of range of distribution of any of the species here 

 described will be very gladly received. 



-North American Sordariaceae. Mem. Torrey Club ii : 80. 1901. 



