color different from what is usually found in species of Tylostoma (ex¬ 
cepting T. volvulatum) .* 
Capillitium long, tortuose intertwined, deeply colored, spar- 
ingly branched threads.! They are not septate and are about twice 
the thickness of spores. Spores globose, 4-5 mic. finely warted. 
SYNONYMS. 
Tylostoma laceratum (Fr. Syst. 3.4 4), Tylostoma Schweinfurthii, (Eng. 
Jahr. 14-359), Tylostoma Karnbackii, (Mss. name). 
289—BROOMEIA CONGREGATA. 
(Plate 21.) 
This is a very curious genus, known only from South Africa, 
and but one species.* It was well described by Berkeley (Hook. Jour. 
44-185) and beautifully illustrated by Fitch. It has been collected a 
number of times in South Africa, always correctly determined owing 
to the splendid initial work accomplished, and fine specimens can be 
found at Kew, Berlin, British Museum and Upsala. 
The little plants which are very numerous (sometimes 150 indi¬ 
viduals in a cluster Berkeley states) are imbedded side by side about 
one-fourth their height, into a common stroma. This stroma is of a 
firm, corky nature and flesh color. It grows on rotten wood, and the 
clusters can be aptly compared to a water lily pad (Nelumbium luteum). 
We have seen no young specimens, or specimens on which any portions 
of the exoperidium remained § George Murray gives an excellent ac¬ 
count of the outer peridium (Jour, Linn. 20-311) “ It is a beautiful 
white color, joined to the stroma round the margin and reaches over 
the tops of the inner peridia. Each individual is not completely in¬ 
vested by it, at all points, but it extends over the tops as one continuous 
membrane, common to the whole mass fitting into the depressions 
between the inner peridia, and, in the cases of nearly mature indivi¬ 
duals, easily separable from them.”^ 
*The color of gleba of Schizostoma is “castaneus” chestnut brown. That of Tylostoma is 
•close to “ isabellinus” tan color. 
t The gleba nature of the genus is different from that of Tylostoma. The long, intertwined 
threads bind the mass together, as in Calvatia craniiformis, and in herbarium specimens, the 
gleba remains in place, although the peridium has broken away. In Tylostoma and most genera 
opening by a definite mouth the gleba is less cohesive. 
X Reveille described a Broomeia guadalupensis from the West Indies. No one else ever found 
the genus except in South Africa. The locality “Albany Amer. Bor.” in Saccardo is an error for 
Albany a district of Cape Colony. Diplocystis Wrightii, a somewhat similiar plant (cfr. Myc. 
Notes, p. 141 aud plate 15) is common in the West Indies, and known from Guadeloupe. Reveille’s 
species, Broomeia guadalupensis, is almost certainly the same as Diplocystis Wrightii and an 
-earlier name. It would be safe to say so anyhow as Reveille’s specimens are lost and no one could 
prove to the contrary and it is an elegant opportunity for some name juggler. The specific name, 
congregata, is very appropriate but I do not know what Broom had to do with it If Berkeley 
had named the plant “ Fitchia” after the man who made the fine drawing of it which in reality 
made the plant known, it would have been far better. Whether “ Broomeja ” as found in Saccardo 
or “ Broomeia ” as originally spelled, is orthographically correct I do not know. 
g On the herbarium sheet in British Museum is a memorandum “see specimens in a box.” 
These specimens no doubt show the exoperidium. I intended to ask for them, but through neg¬ 
lect failed to do so. 
If We hope this article will reach the notice of some South African botanist, who will appre¬ 
ciate how anxious we are to have some specimens in our Museum and favor us by sending a nice 
collection. We especially hope for some young specimens showing the outer peridium before, or 
while it is breaking away, as we would wish to present a photograph to our readers. 
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