LIST OF SPECIES RECORDED FROM ESSEX. 39
D. melanospermum (Pers.) Macbr.—This widely distributed
species is common in many districts, especially where there
are coniferous woods ; it has only once been recorded from
Essex. On the occasion of the annual fungus foray of the
Club in October 1905, a fine growth was found within a thick
bush of heather in the forest near Theydon.
D. nigripes Fries.—Very abundant on dead leaves, especially
holly leaves, from autumn to winter. The var. eximium with
orange brown stalks and columellae has once been found in
Wanstead Park. The var. xanthopus is not uncommon on
dead leaves, heather, etc., in August and September.
D. squamulosum (Alb. and Schw.) Fries.—Very common
from late summer to spring on dead leaves, especially holly ;
occurring also on old horse-dung in pastures.
D. anellus Morgan.—This species occurs, often in great
abundance, in autumn on heaps of dead sycamore leaves in
Wanstead Park. The small brown or dull grey concave sporangia
and slender plasmodiocarps are inconspicuous objects on
the sodden leaves.
Colloderma oculatum (Lippert) G. Lister.—Although only
recorded as British since 1910, this species appears to be abund-
ant in the forest from early autumn, and on through the winter,
when the seasons are mild. By careful observation of trees
and logs where it has developed, Mr. Ross has recorded it in
the Chingford district for every month from August to April.
The sporangia found in March and April were probably survivors
from February. The minute sporangia occur among moss,
lichens and hepatics on living tree-trunks, often four or five feet
above the ground, also on prostrate logs and on moss (Campylopus
pyriformis) on peaty soil. In Britain, Colloderma has been
recorded from N. Devon, Somerset, Worcestershire, Shrop-
shire, Yorkshire, Aberdeen and Elgin ; in Europe, from Swit-
zerland, Austria, and Portugal; it has also been found in New
England, Japan and New South Wales. Experience proves that
the sporangia are entirely devoid of calcareous deposits. The
genus cannot, therefore, be included in the Calcarineae, but
should be placed next the Stemonitaceae in an order by itself,
Collodermaceae, characterized by the young sporangia being
enclosed in a gelatinous envelope.
Stemonitis fusca Roth.—Common on dead wood ; appearing