Growing on the inside of the bark of Elm. Sporangia .5-.6 mm. in diameter, quite regular in shape, with a slightly flattened base. My specimens are from Prof. McBride, of Iowa.
4. Perichæna marginata, Schw. Sporangia depressed, polygonal, approximate and sometimes confluent, the surface cinereous-pulverulent, seated on a silvery hypothallus; the wall firm, thick, the outer surface yellow-brown, covered with minute whitish scales, the inner surface yellow, deeply reticulately impressed by the spores which rest against it, dehiscent in a circumscissile manner. Capillitium consisting of a few simple or somewhat branched threads or well-nigh obsolete. Spores subglobose, yellow, 12–14 mic. in diameter.
Growing on the outer surface of the bark of Acer, Fagus, etc. Sporangia .4-.6 mm. in width. This is plainly Perichæna cano-flavescens, Raunkier. I do not find any threads of a capillitium in my specimens.
II. OPHIOTHECA, Currey. Plasmodiocarp terete and more or less elongated, bent and flexuous, sometimes annular or reticulate, the surface not polished or shining: the wall a thin membrane, with a thin outer layer of minute scales and granules, irregularly dehiscent. Capillitium of very slender loosely-branched threads, with the surface minutely warted and spinulose. Spores globose, oval or somewhat irregular, yellow.
Distinguished from Perichæna by the terete plasmodiocarp and by the more spinulose capillitium. Cornuvia of Rostafinski.
1. Ophiotheca chrysosperma, Currey. Plasmodiocarp globose or oblong to elongated, and bent or flexuous, sometimes annular or branched and reticulate, dull brown in color; the wall a thin yellowish membrane, with a thin yellow-brown outer layer, irregularly dehiscent. Capillitium of slender loosely-branched threads, 2–3 mic. in thickness, the surface minutely spinulose. Spores subglobose, yellow, 8–9 mic. in diameter.
Growing on the inner surface of old bark of Quercus, etc. Plasmodiocarp .4-.5 mm. in thickness, variable in length. Cornuvia circumscissa of Rostafinski's monograph.
2. Ophiotheca Wrightii, B. & C. Plasmodiocarp more or less elongated, bent and flexuous, very commonly in small rings, from brownish-ochre to brown or blackish in color, not polished; the wall a thin yellow membrane, with a thin brown outer layer, irregularly dehiscent. Capillitium of slender loosely-branched threads, 2–3 mic. in thickness, furnished with numerous straight or bent long-pointed spinules. Spores subglobose, yellow, minutely warted, 10–12 mic. in diameter. [See Plate I, Fig. 14.]
Growing on the inside of bark of Acer, Carya, etc. Plasmodiocarp about .5 mm. in thickness, variable in length, often in small rings 1–2 mm. in diameter. The prickly threads are quite characteristic; the spinules are 3–5 mic. in length. Hemiarcyria melanopeziza, Speg., is evidently the same thing.
3. Ophiotheca vermicularis, Schw. Plasmodiocarp terete and more or less elongated, bent and flexuous, sometimes annular or reticulate, the surface not polished, brownish in color; the wall a thin yellow membrane, covered on the outside by a more or less thickened brown layer of scales and granules, irregularly dehiscent. Capillitium of slender loosely branched threads, 2–3 mic. in thickness, the surface with minute warts and ridges. Spores subglobose, yellow, 10–12 mic. in diameter.