series in the
capillitium, the one an interior supporting network of large meshes, the
other a superficial network of smaller meshes; sometimes the superficial
network disappears or is wanting toward the upper part of the
capillitium, there is then an approach to Comatricha. Very minute
scattered branchlets usually connect the superficial network with the
wall of the sporangium.

Sec.1. DICTYNNA. Threads of the capillitium arising from numerous points of
the columella, immediately branching several times and anastomosing to
form the interior network of large meshes; the superficial network
consisting of small irregular and unequal meshes, varying from smaller
than the spores to two or three times their diameter.

1. STEMONITIS FUSCA, Roth. Sporangia elongated, subcylindric, tapering
and obtuse at the apex, tapering gradually downward, growing closely
crowded together on a strongly-developed brown hypothallus. Stipe and
columella smooth and black, tapering gradually upward and disappearing
near the apex of the sporangium, the stipe shorter than the columella.
Capillitium of slender brown or blackish threads, which immediately
branch and anastomose, forming a dense interior network of large
irregular meshes, the ultimate branchlets of which support a superficial
network of small polygonal meshes. Spores globose, dark violaceous, the
surface minutely warted, the warts with a reticulate arrangement, 7-9
mic. in diameter.

Growing on old wood, bark, leaves, etc.; common everywhere. Sporangium
with the stipe 6-15 mm. in height, the sporangium .3-.4 mm. in
thickness, the stipe variable in length, but always shorter than the
sporangium. The meshes of the superficial net vary in size in the same
sporangium, being usually 5-25 mic. in width, but sometimes they are
larger, ranging from 10-40 mic. in extent. The name _Stemonitis maxima_
was given by Schweinitz to some unusually large specimens which grew on
a Polyporus. _Stemonitis dictyospora_ of Rostafinski's monograph, with
spores 12 mic. in diameter, is said to occur in South Carolina; I have
seen no specimens.

2. STEMONITIS TENERRIMA, B. & C. Sporangia small, subcylindric, tapering
and obtuse at the apex, tapering gradually downward, growing close
together on a thin brown hypothallus. Stipe and columella black and
smooth, tapering gradually upward and vanishing toward the apex of the
sporangium, the stipe shorter than the columella. Capillitium of very
slender pale viole