Myxomycetes from South America

Abstract

Our knowledge of the Myxomycetes of South America is comparatively meager. Spegazzini's numerous articles upon the fungi of Argentina, Brazil, Uruguay, and Paraguay1 contain references to Myxomycetes and describe a number of new species, several of which, however, appear, on closer examination, to be referable to already known forms. R. E. Fries2 has listed 47 species from Argentina and Bolivia. From Brazil, Berkeley and Curtis,3 Hennings,4 Jahn,5 von Hohnel,6 and Sydow7 have published brief lists. Johows mentions a few species belonging to this group in his Flora of Juan Fernandez, Chile. Ecuador is represented by a small number included by Patouillard and Lagerheim in their Champignons de l'fquateur,9 while the former observer, in collaboration with Gaillard, reports i species of Myxomycetes in his Champignons du Venezuela.10 Although practically all parts of South America are represented in the publications of the above observers, the number of actual species of Myxomycetes listed is surprisingly small. It is therefore gratifying to be able to add materially to our knowledge in this field. The following species were collected by Professor Roland Thaxter in Argentina and Chile in I905-o6. The collection is deposited in the Cryptogamic Herbarium of Harvard University, and it is through the courtesy of Professor Thaxter and Dr. W.