Capillitium closely attached by a few threads
which issue from the interior of the stipe, and are free from the
calyculus (except in _A. punicea_), much elongated after dehiscence,
weak and drooping or prostrate; the meshes open and irregular, not
differing externally and internally, their threads similar throughout,
the warts or ridges of the surface exhibiting a spiral arrangement.

1. ARCYRIA PUNICEA, Pers. Sporangium ovoid, more or less elongated; the
calyculus small, plicate-sulcate. Stipe long, erect, brownish-red in
color, expanded at the base into a small hypothallus. Capillitium firmly
attached by numerous threads which are connate with the wall of the
calyculus, much elongated after dehiscence, ovoid-oblong to cylindric,
bright red in color, fading to red-brown or brownish-ochre; the threads
uniform in thickness, about 3 mic., the surface with a series of
prominent half-rings, which wind around the thread in a long spiral.
Spores globose, even, 6-8 mic. in diameter.

Growing on old bark, wood, mosses, etc. The stipe 1-2 mm. in length, the
capillitium elongated 2-4 mm. The commonest of the species, conspicuous
by reason of its bright red color.

2. ARCYRIA MINOR, Schw. Sporangium ovoid-oblong; the calyculus small,
sulcate and ribbed, granulose. Stipe short, erect, brownish-red in
color, standing on a thin hypothallus. Capillitium much elongated after
dehiscence, oblong to cylindric, lax and prostrate, bright red to
brownish in color; the threads uniform in thickness, 2.5-3 mic., the
surface with a series of prominent half-rings, which wind around the
thread in a long spiral. Spores globose, even, 7-9 mic. in diameter. See
Plate I, Fig. 17.

Growing on old wood, bark, Polyporus, etc. The stipe .4-.7 mm. in
length, the capillitium elongated 1.5-3 mm. Not uncommon, but it is
usually referred to _A. adnata_.

3. ARCYRIA ADNATA, Batsch. Sporangium ovoid; the calyculus very small,
finely ribbed and granulose. Stipe very short or entirely wanting.
Capillitium much expanded after dehiscence, globose or obovoid, pale red
to brownish in color; the threads uniform in thickness, about 4 mic.,
the surface with a series of prominent half-rings with mingled warts and
spines, which wind around the thread in a long spiral. Spores globose,
even, 6-8 mic. in diameter.

Growing in small clusters on old wood. A small species, the capillitium
expanded 1-2 mm., the stipe extremely short, or altogether absent.

4. ARCYRIA NUT