ON TWO MINUTE FL'NGI. 79 



niptnre leaves a large circular aperture at its base. 1 am 

 not able to state positively whether there is any organic con- 

 nexion between the tip of the stem and the columella after 

 the rupture has taken place, or whether they are kept in 

 apposition by means of the frill, though I suspect that such 

 an union does exist. Peridium quite smooth, consisting of 

 two membranes, between which there is often a considerable 

 space, though they are sometimes in close contact. At the 

 place where it separates from the portion wliich remains 

 attached to the columella, there is often a ring of consider- 

 able size. The cavity between the second membrane and 

 the columella is filled with elliptic sporidia, some of which 

 occasionally adhere to the stem. 



The whole plant is so minute and delicate, that it is a 

 matter of extreme difficulty to detach it for examination, as 

 it is instantly destroyed if any thing touches it. The only 

 way is to i-emove it very cautiously, taking care that it shall 

 fall inta a dish of water. When fallen it instantly bursts, 

 and it is only by repeated examination that a notion can be 

 formed of its structure, all the parts being so extremely trans- 

 parent, and the different circles which present themselves so 

 puzzling, that it is difficult to distinguish them accurately. 

 It occurs not unfrequently on fallen brandies, especially on 

 the smooth bark of ash in moist weather, but there are seldom 

 more than three or four individuals together. The only 

 way of getting it home in a fit state for examination is to 

 secure a portion of the branch in a box in such a way that 

 nothing shall touch the watery heads. Tode describes the 

 stem in Hydrophora minima, as yellow, and it is figured as 

 perfectly straight. Under these circumstances, I have 

 thought it best not to consider my plant as identical with his. 



Endodkomia. 



Peridio teneri'imo stipite percurso, farcto floccis ramosis 

 radiantibus sporidiisque globosis nucleo mobilissimo. 

 Endodromia vitrea. 

 Equally minute with the last, and scarcely to be distin- 



