Sporangia gregarious, generally rounded or cushion-shaped, depressed, sessile, iridescent bronze, 1 mm. in diameter; peridium thin, translucent, opening irregularly; capillitium of simple threads, not netted, but often forked two or three times, taut, running from base to top; spores yellow, by transmitted light pale yellowish, minutely roughened, 8–10 µ.
This interesting species was collected in Orono, Maine, in 1889, by Professor F. L. Harvey, and so far as can be learned has not been taken since. Mr. Lister records two species from England which he refers to this genus. As to its systematic place, Dr. Rex says, l. c. "It stands as a single representative of a new and separate family adjoining the Perichaenacae in the order Calonemeae of Rostafinski."
2. Dianema corticatum List.
[Plate XVI]., Figs. 5 a, 5 c.
- 1894. Dianema corticatum List., Mycetozoa, p. 205.
"Plasmodium pink"; sporangia sometimes flat-hemispheric, more often ill-defined, united in irregular, depressed, netted plasmodiocarps, generally dull brown; peridium opaque, didermatous, capillitium of simple or rarely branching filaments, variously beaded or marked with spiral bands, lightly attached at either end, occasionally twisted together; spore-mass dull brown, the spores in clusters of four or more, colorless by transmitted light, more or less verruculose, ellipsoidal, about 8–10 µ.
Our specimens are from the mountains of Alberta.
A curious, flat plasmodiocarp, an inch or more in length. It suggests Hemitrichia serpula prematurely dry.
3. Dianema andersoni, Morg.