332 PROCEEDINGS: BOSTON SOCIETY NATURAL HISTORY. 
Sejm. & Earle, Econ. Fungi, i-xi ; ditto, Clinton Ust. Suppl. C, 
1-100; Shear, N. Y. Fungi, i-iii ; Und. & Cook, Illust. Fungi, 
1-100; European , Syd., Ust., i-vi; also occasional specimens in 
Rab., Fungi Fur.; Roum., Fungi Sel.; Tliiim., Myc. Uni., etc. 
The specific descriptions given are based on the writer’s exam¬ 
ination of available material. In some cases the abundance of this, 
variable in character, has necessarily given a broader description 
than were only the single type specimen described. In some few 
cases, possibly, the specimens seen have been immature and thus 
imperfectly reflected their later character, especially as to spore color 
and markings. In some species a smooth coat may later become 
granular, or reticulations at first faint, become more evident. The 
character of the sorus has probably been brought into these descrip¬ 
tions more prominently than usual. The germination of the spores 
has been omitted altogether. Though important as a fact in the life 
history of the species, it is not very useful in their determination, and 
is not known for the majority. 
Some of the hosts given for certain of the species have not been 
seen, but had to be reported on the authority of others. So, too, 
the distribution is derived partly from literature, though many speci¬ 
mens have been examined to verify and extend this. From the 
writer’s experience in three States, collecting especially for these 
fungi, it is evident that the distribution of many of the species is 
very imperfectly known. Probably a thorough survey of the differ¬ 
ent States will show from 50 to 70 species in each. The table at the 
end of this paper, while it aims to show the distribution of our 
species in the other continents, lays no claim to completeness. 
Practically all of the references to literature have been examined 
personally. To aid in the work an extensive card index to all species 
has been made and access to the extensive card index of American 
species in the Cryptogamic herbarium of Harvard university has 
been had. The literature is considerable. That from America 
relates chiefly to distribution, to description of new species, or to the 
study of the economic species, especially by various station botan¬ 
ists looking toward prevention. No especial attempt has been made 
in this country to monograph the group or its genera except in Set- 
chell’s very admirable papers on Doassansia. 
