es says, "Stipes elongatus, peridio quinquies et ultra longior." It
seems reasonable to suppose that the variation is largely due to
atmospheric conditions at the time of fruiting. The purple forms may be
cases of arrested development, since the plasmodium appears to be in all
cases purple, or at least they seem to represent those plasmodia which
have failed of normal ripening. We may recognize two or three general
types, distinguished primarily by color:--

a. _D. cancellatum cancellatum._--Sporangia clear brown or with only a
purplish tinge, the stipe tapering upward, and in extreme cases
perfectly white at the twisted apex. The stipe in length ranges from
three to ten times the diameter of the sporangium. The reticulations of
the net are generally small and the ribs numerous. This is the most
highly differentiated, finished type of the species.

b. _D. cancellatum purpureum._--Sporangium dark, the purple tints
predominating, the stipe tapering upward, more or less twisted at the
paler, sometimes almost colorless, apex. The stipe ranges a little
shorter than in the preceding variety, three to seven times the
sporangium. The reticulations of the net are often coarse, the ribs
being fewer; the whole structure weak and showing signs of imperfect
development.

The figures, 1, 1 _a_, 1 _b_, 1 _c, l. c._, illustrate the ideal
accomplishment in form (a). The color is a clear definite brown with no
suggestion of purple anywhere. The stipes are three or four times the
diameter of the sporangium, brown below, white above, and twisted to
allow the sporangium to hang inverted. This is complete in every part; a
definite bell-shaped calyx, widening into the cancellate receptacle, the
margin constricted, and closed at last by the apical net, _cribrum_,
sign of the order.

In form (b), the structure is similar but by no means so symmetrical and
complete. The calyx often fails, or is present by obscure indications
only. The cancellation is coarser, the number of ribs fewer, the whole
sporangium more or less globose; ferruginous or purple, the prevailing
tint. Figs. on Pl. 1. are from the ferruginous type.

Figure 3 represents a beautiful thing; cup-less, ellipsoidal, delicate,
of average size and in every way well-proportioned, clear rosy brown in
color.

This may stand for a third variety; (c) _D. cancellatum prolatum_.

Common everywhere. The fruit appears in June on decaying logs and stumps
of various species of deciduous t