hese threads another kind of
spore is formed. These spores are pinched off in great numbers and will
germinate in the larva the same as the sac spore. The specimens were
found by Mrs. E. B. Blackford near Boston, and photographed by Dr.
Kellerman.

_Cordyceps capitata. Fr._

[Illustration: _Photo by C. G. Lloyd._

Figure 493.--Cordyceps capitata. Natural size.]

This plant is fleshy, capitate, head ovate, bay-brown, stem yellow, then
blackish.

This plant is parasitic on Elaphomyces granulatus. It is shown at the
base of the stem of the plant. It grows two or three inches under the
surface and somewhat resembles a truffle in appearance.

Both are very interesting plants. The plant in Figure 493 was found near
Boston, Mass. They are usually found in pine woods, often in tufts. The
stems are from one to four inches long, nearly equal, smooth,
lemon-colored, at length fibroso-strigose and blackish.

It is sometimes called Torrubia capitata.

CHAPTER XVII.

MYXOMYCETES.

The plants under this head belong to the slime-moulds and at first are
wholly gelatinous. All the species and genera are small and easily
overlooked, yet they are intensely interesting when carefully observed.
In the morning you may see a mass of gelatinous matter and in the
evening a beautiful net work of threads and spores, the transformation
being so rapid. This gelatinous mass is known as protoplasm or
plasmodium, and the motive power of the plasmodium has suggested to many
that they should be placed in the animal kingdom, or called fungus
animals. The same is true of Schizomycetes, to which all the bacteria,
bacillus, spirillum, and vibrio, and a number of other groups belong. I
have only a few Myxomycetes to present. I have watched the development
of a number of plants of this group, but because of the scarcity of
literature upon the subject I have been unable to identify them
satisfactorily.

_Lycogala epidendrum. Fr._

[Illustration: Figure 494.--Lycogala epidendrum.]

This is called the Stump Lycogala. It is quite common, seeming in a
certain stage to be a small puffball. The peridium has a double
membrane, papery, persistent, bursting irregularly at the apex;
externally minutely warty, nearly round, blood-red or pinkish, then
brownish; mouth irregular; spores becoming pale, or violet.

_Reticularia maxima. Fr._

This is quite common on partially decayed logs. The peridium is very
thin, tuberculose, effused, delic