The hymcnium of Pe:i:as is superior (that is, within the cup), and consists of sporidia enclosed in asci, 

 or thecse (both words are ehgible) : these are cases of a cylindrical form set closely side by side, so that what 

 appears to our unassisted eye a smooth surface, is, in fact, when microscopically examined, found to be 

 covered with a layer of cylinders, the orifices of wliich form a plane surface, exactly resembling in miniature 

 the mass of tubes in a Boletus, only their position as regards the growth of the fungus is reversed. Each 

 cylinder of each species contains the same number of sporidia, but this determinate number varies in the 

 different sub-genera. In Peziza badia, examined whUe the tubes were yet hermetically sealed, but ready to 

 open, the sporidia were always eight ; we regret extremely that at the period P. reticnlata was found, we 

 had no microscope at hand, and have not, therefore, ascertained whether it agrees in this respect (but it 

 probably does) with its relative. 



The Peziza reticulata from which our portrait was taken, grew in solitary beauty in the flower-garden at 

 Hayes Rectory, in the centre of a long-undisturbed mass of the common blue Gijnoglonmim, which sheltered 

 patches of Fissidens adiantoides (a very elegant moss), and had, therefore, been left untouched. Much has 

 been lately very judiciously said in some of the more scientific gardening journals on cultivating mosses, and, 

 as they are a most lovely tribe, and require to be near the eye for examination, they are worthy the care and 

 culture of those whose territory consists of pots on window-sills or balconies ; in the country, however, the 

 best plan of cultivating them we can advise, is to let them alone, to enjoy peace and quiet in cool cosy 

 corners selected by themselves. Our borders, we confess, are often sadly destitute ; but if " flowerless" in 

 the common sense, " flowerless plants " are never wanting there : we have a bank covered with the two 

 splendid Bri/mn-s, hornum and lif/ulatitm, the beauty of which attracts universal attention, cold, north, over- 

 shadowed bank as it is; and a dark walk, green all over with the curious Marchantla polymorpha, its nests 

 of tiny eggs the delight of young eyes, the gardener has long been forbidden to touch ; but we suspect our 

 mode of cultivating pretty things ^vill not suit that worthy fraternity. Well, then, nothing does better for 

 mosses than the nooks of a rock-work, shaded by ferns, and kept cool by large flints (moveable ones), stumps, 

 &c. ; and whenever we find stumps in the wood, covered with such beautiful objects as Hi/pnmii rutahulum, 

 or a neglected flint clothed with the highly-finished H. serpens, we bear them in triumph to the pet locality, 

 where ferns and other native treasures are deposited. Many of our friends will probably be interested in 

 knowing how we have contrived to make these flourish exceedingly, at very small expense, and this ^^■e 

 promise to reveal on the first spare haK-page. 



