9. Comatricha æqualis Peck.

[Plate VI.], Figs. 3, 3 a, 3 b, 3 c, 3 d; and [Plate XVIII.], Figs. 13, 13 a, 13 b.

Sporangia gregarious, seldom erect, usually inclined, curved or nodding, dark brown, becoming violet, cylindric, acuminate-obtuse, stipitate; stipe about half the total height, 2–2½ mm., black, polished, even; hypothallus well developed, brown, continuous; columella black, tapering gradually, and attaining almost the summit of the sporangium; capillitium dense, of flexuous tawny threads which, by repeated branching, form an intricate network, the free extremities numerous, short, and pale; spores dark violaceous, distinctly warted, 7.5–8 µ.

A very graceful, elegant species, related to C. pulchella and C. persoonii, but distinct by its much greater size and smaller spores. The specimens before show us the perfection of beauty in this genus; the polished stipe, the symmetrical capillitium, the soft purple-brown tints, are remarkable, and enable one to recognize the form at sight.

Specimens from Oregon are unusually fine; larger than usual, reach 7 mm. total height, and when blown out present the tints of violet in unusual clearness; var. C. pacifica. [Plate XVIII]., Figs. 13, 13a, and 13b.

New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Illinois; Oregon, Professor Peck.

10. Comatricha typhoides (Bull.) Rost.

[Plate VI.], Figs. 1, 1 a, 1 b.