of the vicinity of Aberdeen. 113 



fragment of an Irish specimen sent me by Mr. Thompson of Bel- 

 fast. To observe this structure, it is best to employ pressure in 

 a drop of sea- water ; the asci and sporidia are very minute. See 

 Plate II. figs. 1, 2, 3. 



Sporochnus rhizodes, Ag. — Having only examined dried speci- 

 mens of this species, it is with much diffidence that I venture to 

 describe its fructification as differing essentially from that of the 

 last, and consequently requiring to be removed from the same 

 genus. Those who may have opportunities of examining fresh 

 specimens in different stages can alone be entitled finally to decide 

 this question. 



The warts are composed of moniliform simple filaments, at the 

 bases of which pear-shaped spores will be seen nestling. The 

 resemblance to the fructification of Asperococcus echinatus (and 

 probably also to that of Chordaria flagelliformis) is most striking. 

 Figs. 4 & 5 represent the structure described. 



Elaionema villosum, Berk. — The fructification of this plant was 

 first pointed out by the Rev. M. J. Berkeley, and a figure given in 

 the 'Gleanings of British Algse/ The structure seen in dried speci- 

 mens is represented at PL II. fig. 7, and differing somewhat from 

 Mr. Berkeley's representation : in fig. 6 is shown the fructifica- 

 tion at an early stage ; the asci, enclosing several sporidia, are at 

 that time distinct. I believe, that in a more advanced stage an 

 adhesion takes place between the asci and enclosed sporidia, 

 fig. 8. 



The results above stated have prompted the following " Sug- 

 gestions towards an Arrangement of the British Melanospermece." 



1. MeLANOSPERMEjE. 



Spores and sporidia on the same or on different plants, and in 

 the same or in different conceptacles. 



Helminthocladia. 



Ann. $ Mag. N, Hist. Vol. xiv 



