ters smooth.

OO Spirals even, regular 1. _T. inconspicua_

+ Spirals irregular 2. _T. contorta_

++ Elaters rough, spinescent 3. _T. iowensis_

ii. Peridium olivaceous or yellow.

O Elaters smooth 4. _T. varia_

_b._ Hypothallus distinct; sporangia crowded;
spores reticulate, banded, or netted.

i. Spore-bands pitted 6. _T. persimilis_

ii. Spore-bands, narrow, plain 7. _T. favoginea_

iii. Spores covered by a delicate net 5. _T. scabra_

_B._ Sporangia stipitate.

_a._ Hypothallus distinct 8. _T. verrucosa_

_b._ Hypothallus none; peridium checkered with
pale reticulations.

i. Brownish red or black 10. _T. botrytis_

ii. Olivaceous.

O Elaters smooth 11. _T. subfusca_

OO Elaters rough 12. _T. erecta_

_c._ Peridium plain, shining 13. _T. decipiens_

_d._ Peridium plain, dull black 14. _T. lateritia_

1. TRICHIA INCONSPICUA _Rostafinski._

PLATE III., Figs. 5, 5 _a_, 5 _b_.

1875. _Trichia inconspicua_ Rost., _Mon._, p. 259.

Sporangia gregarious or crowded, small, spherical, ellipsoidal or
arcuate, brown or reddish brown, sessile; hypothallus none; capillitium
dull, dark, ochraceous, the elaters long, slender, even, about 3 mu wide,
the spirals three or four rather closely wound, the apices attenuate,
acute, sometimes turned to one side; spore-mass concolorous, spores pale
ochraceous, minutely but distinctly warted, 10-12 mu.

One of the smallest of the _Trichiae_, not uncommon in the Mississippi
valley on decaying fallen stems of _Populus_--sp. Distinguished at sight
from all except No. 3 following, by its small size and brown color.
Under the lens the long, delicate, finely sculptured capillitial
threads, with fine tapering threads are distinctive.

New England, New York, Pennsylvania, Illinois, Iowa, Missouri, Nebraska;
Black Hills, South Dakota; Toronto.

2. TRICHIA CONTORTA (_Ditmar_) _Rost._

PLATE XIII., Figs. 7, 7 _a_.

1811. _Lycogala contortum_ Ditmar, Sturm, _Deutsch. Fl._, III.,
Tab. 5.
1872. _Trichia reniformis_