MYCOLOGIA 
VoL. VIII January, 1916 No. i 
NORTH AMERICAN SPECIES OF 
ASCODESMIS 
Fred J. Seaver 
(With Plate 172, Containing 9 Figures) 
During the month of January, 1915, the writer secured an ex- 
cellent growth of a species of Ascodesmis on the excrement of 
pigs sent from Porto Rico^ by Mr. George L. Fawcett. The spores 
of this species were slightly ellipsoid and, when mature, were 
strongly roughened, although they were never found to be reticu- 
late. At first it was thought that this species might be distinct 
from Ascodesmis nigricans in which species the spores are usually 
described as reticulate. Later, however, it was concluded that 
the apparent difference in spore characters was simply due to 
variation and the Porto Rican plants were finally referred to 
Ascodesmis nigricans, the only species known from North 
America. 
In November, 1915, an abundant growth of Ascodesmis nigri- 
cans was obtained on the excrement of raccoon dog from the 
Bronx Zoological Garden. Careful study of this species from 
1 A collection of pig dung from New Jersey was placed in culture during 
the present season in order to determine whether the Porto Rican species was 
a geographical species or was governed by the substratum alone as is the case 
with so many of the coprophilous discomycetes. On December ii, 1915, since 
this paper was submitted, the species described here as new was found also 
on the New Jersey material. In all essential points the New Jersey specimens 
agree with the specimens grown on the same kind of material from Porto 
Rico and both differ from Ascodesmis nigricans, which we have still growing 
in the laboratory, as pointed out in the illustrations and descriptions accom- 
panying this paper. 
1 
