ing in
short, free tips; spores pallid, nearly smooth, 7-9.5 mu.

A very minute, delicate little species, about 1-1/2 mm. high; the stipe
half the total height. In general appearance the shorter forms of the
species resemble slightly _C. nigra_, but are distinguished by a much
shorter stipe and much more open capillitium. The sporangia of _C.
nigra_ mounted on long capillary stipes always droops more or less; the
sporangia of the present species stand rigidly erect. The sporangia vary
in form and in the branching of the columella. In the more globose
phases, the columella almost always shows a peculiar dichotomy near the
apex; in the cylindric types, this peculiar division fails.[36] In fact,
the shape is determined chiefly by the mode of branching as affects the
columella. Rostafinski's figure, on Tab. XIII, does not present the
type usually seen in this country, nor even in Europe if we may judge
from later illustrations.

The species with us has received various names, but so far as can be
determined, all apply to the same thing, and comparison of specimens
from Mr. Ellis with those from Europe show the correctness of the
nomenclature here adopted.

Rare, but widely distributed; across the continent.

7. STEMONITIS SUKSDORFII _Ell. & Everh._

PLATE XI., Figs. 9, 10, 11.

1882. _Stemonitis suksdorfii_ Ell. & Everh., _Bull. Washb. Coll._,
Vol. I., p. 5.
1892. _Stemonitis suksdorfii_ Ell. & Everh., Mass., _Mon._, p. 76.

Sporangia scattered in small tufts or gregarious, cylindric, obtuse at
both ends, sometimes widened above, black, 2-6 mm., stipitate; stipe
jet-black, shining, even, about one-half the total height; hypothallus
not continuous, dark brown; columella black, rather slender, terminating
in two or more large branches just below the apex; capillitium
exceedingly dense, dark fuscous or black, the flexuous threads
anastomosing in a close network, with abundant free pallid extremities;
spores in mass, blue-black, by transmitted light fuscous or dark
violaceous-brown, minutely warted, 10-12 mu.

Easily recognizable at sight by its sooty color. Entirely unlike any of
the preceding. The type of the capillitium is that of _C. pulchella_,
but it is very much more dense and entirely different in color. The
sporangia are often widened above, and fairly truncate; the total height
about 6 mm. Found on the bark of fallen twigs of _Abies, Larix_, etc.
Distributed by Ell. & Everh. under this nam