mm. or more 2. _L. robustum_

1. LAMPRODERMA PHYSAROIDES (_Alb. & Schw._) _Rost._

1805. _Physarum physaroides_ Alb. & Schw., _Consp. Fung._, p, 103.
1875. _Lamproderma physaroides_ (Alb. & Schw.) Rost., _Mon._, p. 202.

Sporangia gregarious, wide-spreading, globose, the peridium persistent
with a silver metallic, sometimes brassy, lustre; stipe long, brown or
black, tapering upward; hypothallus well developed, brown or purple,
usually not continuous; columella swollen, obtuse, short at best, hardly
attaining the centre of the sporangium; capillitium very rigid, of
simple or sparingly branched, dark-brown threads radiating from the
clavate apex of the columella and only here and there anastomosing
toward the surface, the ultimate divisions distinctly rough; spores
lilac brown, rough, 10-12.5 mu.

This species is well described and illustrated in Rostafinski's
_Monograph_. It is well marked by its clavate columella and peculiarly
simple, dark rigid capillitium, the branches of which rise in great
numbers immediately from the columella, and maintain their primitive
thickness during the greater part of their length. The transverse
vincula are often at right angles to the principal branches, and the
meshes, where formed, are often long and rectangular. Externally, it
resembles _L. arcyrionema_, but is by its spores and capillitium
instantly distinguished. Rostafinski gives the spores 12.5-14.2 mu. Large
spores are less common in the specimens before us. Lister figures a
sessile variety.

In our first edition this species was entered from lists published for
New England, New York, and Ohio. The intervening years, however, have
brought no confirmation. Specimens from Maine and Ohio, with large
spores, represent _L. columbinum_, and those cited for New York are
forms of _L. violaceum_. It is accordingly doubtful that _L.
physaroides_ (A. & S.) Rost. occurs in North America. That it is to be
found in Europe there seems no doubt. The figure and description by
Schweinitz, _l. c._, may indeed be inconclusive, but Rostafinski's
citation and abundant description leave no doubt as to his opinion;
while numerous localities named would indicate adequate material. What
Rostafinski described will no doubt obtain wider recognition some day.

2. LAMPRODERMA ROBUSTUM _Ell. & Evh._

1892. _Lamproderma robustum_ Ell. & Evh., Mass., _Mon._, p. 99.
1894. _Lamproderma violaceum_ var. _sauteri_ Rost., List.,