dusky brown; the net simple, the
meshes large, triangular, with few free ends; the nodules small,
globose or undifferentiated, slightly convex or flat; spore mass dull,
yellowish brown; spores by transmitted light pale ochraceous or
salmon-tinted, nearly smooth, 5-6 mu.

Schrader defined this beautiful form chiefly by its shape. This, though
variable, is yet generally so far pyriform as to show distinct
contraction toward the stipe. The well-defined calyculus is narrowed
below and eroded or denticulate above. The cyanic tints due to the
presence on the calyculus of radiating lines of purplish granules about
one-half the size of the spores, the net open, uniform, the stipe rather
stout, short, and distinctly furrowed, rising often from a small
hypothallus--these are marks of this species. The net suggests _C.
tenella_, but the latter species is much smaller, has a different stem,
much longer and unfurrowed. The cup here is more nearly that of some
form of _C. intricata_, but is better defined, passing into the net very
abruptly by the simple intervention of projecting teeth.

Apparently rare. Our specimens are from New York, through the courtesy
of Dr. Rex, Virginia, North Carolina, Iowa, Oregon, Colorado, and
represent, as usual a modification of the European type, _C. notabilis_
Rex. Miss Lister, _Mon., 2nd ed._, writes var. _notabilis_.

Colorado forms are remarkable for dense brown coloration.

10. CRIBRARIA TENELLA _Schrader._

PLATE XVII., Fig. 5.

1797. _Cribraria tenella_ Schrad., _Nov. Gen. Pl._, p. 6.

Sporangia gregarious, small, .3-.5 mm. in diameter or smaller,
olivaceous or ochraceous, long-stipitate, nodding; stipe slender, dark
brown or blackish, very long, reaching 6 mm., weak and flexuous;
calyculus variable, sometimes well defined, brown, costate, sometimes
represented by the costae only connected by a thin, transparent membrane;
net well differentiated, the meshes small, irregular, the nodes small,
black, more or less globular, prominent, connected by transparent
threads with occasional or a few free ends; spores in mass,
olivaceous-ochraceous, under the lens pallid, globose, smooth, 5-7 mu.

Very common eastward and south, on the weathered surface of rotten wood.
Generally easily recognized by its very long stipe, small, globose
sporangium dotted with numerous small roundish nodules projecting
plainly above the general surface. The obconic calyculus is always
represented in the outlin