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The last two lectures were devoted to the Ascigeroas fungi; the fifth to those 

 of the Peziza kind, or the -Disco?)iyceies; and the sixth to the Sphoeriacei. In 

 the fifth lecture the general structure of Ascigerous fungi was fa miliarly ex- 

 plained, and illustrations given from the genera Peziza and Ascoholus. The 

 curious blights or mildews belonging to what is termed the Perisporiacei ter- 

 minated this lecture . The maple blight, the hop mildew, the berberry blight, 

 &c., were described, and all the species were specially recommended as interest- 

 ing and attractive objects for the microscope, with their dark colored globose 

 perithecia seated upon delicate interwoven white threads, and bearing numerous 

 thread-like appendages of very variable form, according to the genera and 

 species to which they belong. 



The last lecture was devoted to a casual review of the great number of forms 

 associated together under the term Sphceriacei. The lecturer confessed that it 

 was impossible during the time at his disposal to do more than indicate the 

 structure which prevails in the simple and compound Sphcerice and the distin- 

 guishing features of the mostimportant groups. The common Sphceria herhanim, 

 found in herbaceous plants, was taken as a type of the simple Sphceria, and the 

 compound were illustrated by a species of Valsa. Allusion was also made to the 

 fungi possessing the habit of Sphceria, but with spores attached to threads and 

 not contained in asei in the interior of the perithecia. These were formerly 

 included amongst the Coniomycetes, but now admitted to be conditions of 

 Sphceriaceous fungi. For examples the lecturer alluded to Apospliceria acuta, to 

 certain species of Hendersonia, Melanconmm, and Nemaspora. Interest was 

 maintained throughout this brief course, which was in all respects eminently 

 successful, the only regret expressed being that it was too short, and a hope 

 that the lectures might be resumed at an early period. 



The Anmial Soiree. — We are informed that Mr. Jas. Smith, Junr., and Messrs. 

 Murray and Head were among the opticians who exhibited instruments and ap- 

 paratus at the Soiree on March 12th. 



