Fungi from Raroia-— Cooke 
187 
BASIDIOMYCETES 
Auricularia mesenterica Pers. 
Three collections of this widely distributed 
tropical species were taken from wood of Mes- 
ser schmidia argentea. 11262, 11386, 11661. July 
21, 28, August 8. 
Schizophyllum commune Fr. 
Although the shape of the specimens obtained 
by Doty is typical of more northern material 
usually assigned to this species, this specimen 
could as easily have been placed in S. radiatum 
(Swartz) Fries 2 because of its tropical distri- 
bution. Throughout the Pacific Basin only one 
species is recognized in this genus at present. 
11425. July 26. 
Thirteen collections of thelephoraceous fungi 
were sent to John Eriksson for identification. 
Unfortunately, Dr. Eriksson was unfamiliar with 
the species these collections represent. In addi- 
tion, the methods of preservation of these speci- 
mens make their identification quite difficult. 
Representatives of Peniophora sect. Coloratae , 
and sect. Hyphales were present. No spores and 
no fertile fruiting structures were present in the 
collections, although in some cases holobasidia 
were observable. It was suggested that through 
habitat, knowledge of sterile hymenial structures, 
and other features of a collection, a person fam- 
iliar with tropical species in this group could 
make tentative identifications. 
The same difficulties were found in the several 
collections of pore fungi which were made. A 
large trametoid specimen, a medium-size black 
Phellinus-like species represented by two normal 
specimens and two overgrown with a Penio- 
phora-\i\s.e species, and nine specimens of re- 
supinate polypores were among the materials 
obtained. Because of his wide familiarity with 
tropical polypores these specimens were sub- 
mitted to John A. Stevenson, National Fungus 
Collections, for study. The writer had found no 
satisfactory basidial or spore characters and 
hoped that sight identification might be possible. 
Neither Mr. Stevenson, nor Josiah L. Lowe who 
2 Now considered to be synonymous with S. com- 
mune. 
also examined them, could come to any conclu- 
sion concerning species names for these speci- 
mens. 
The collection and adequate preparation of 
specimens of this type in tropical regions is dif- 
ficult. It has been suggested that if quick drying 
equipment is not readily available, the hymenia 
should be inverted to prevent loss of spores dur- 
ing drying. Care should also be taken to prevent 
the specimens from getting too wet during peri- 
ods of prolonged rain or high humidity. This 
condition tends to reactivate the hymenial tissues 
and exhaust the spore-producing capacity of the 
basidia, which then become unrecognizable 
structures. 
FUNGI IMPERFECT! 
Helicomyces roseus Link 
Two specimens composed of pieces of wood 
partially covered with a white effused growth 
were assigned to this species. Spores from this 
white growth were very similar to those 
described by Linder (Ann. Mo. Bot. Gard. 16: 
271, 1929) for this species. The material was 
assigned to this species on that basis as well as 
on the fact that it resembles closely material 
described under this name by Rogers (Pacif. 
Sci. 1: 106, 1947), from the Marshall Islands. 
Dr. S. J. Hughes did not agree with this identi- 
fication but offered no substitute. 11283, 11602. 
July 21, September 6. 
Helicosporium lumbricoides Sacc. em. Matr. 
Two collections were made from material on 
old spathes of Cocos nucifera. 11269, 11270. 
July 21. Identification by S. J. Hughes. 
Oidium curtisii (Berk.) Linder 
Found twice on rotten wood. 11385, 11400. 
July 28, 29. Identified by S. J. Hughes. 
Additional collections of moldlike fungi were 
found to be sterile, or when spores were present 
it was difficult or impossible to determine the 
method of their production, so that they were 
unidentifiable. 
On the basis of the material seen, both that 
listed above and that which proved to be un- 
workable, it would seem that a considerable 
