170 MICROSCOPIC FUNGI. 



fioccose (fig. 217), and coloured. The sporangia are 

 found singly in each conceptacle^ and each sporan- 

 gium contains eight spores. 



An autumnal stroll amongst hazel-bushes_, when 

 the nuts are ripe, will lead, if the nuts are not a 

 greater attraction, to the discovery of whitish 

 patches on the under surface of the leaves, caused 

 by the mycelium of the hazel mildew {Phyllactinia 

 guttata, Lev.). These patches are less distinct and 

 conspicuous than in many other species, but the 

 little blackish dots of the conceptacles may be dis- 

 tinguished by sharp eyes without the use of the 

 lens. Though possessing a decided preference for 

 the hazel, this species is also found on the green 

 leaves of the hawthorn, ash, elm, birch, sallow, 

 beech, oak, and hornbeam. The conceptacles are 

 larger than in the two preceding species, and some- 

 what depressed above. The appendages are few 

 (fig. 219), radiating, rigid, and acicular, or Hke 

 needles. Each conceptacle contains eight or more 

 sporangia, and each sporangium has from two to 

 four spores (fig. 220). This species being very 

 common, its concejDtacles large, and produced 

 copiously, and its appendages distinct, it will 

 prove a good type with, which the student of these 

 fungi may commence his examinations. This is 

 the only representative which we possess of the 

 genus established by M. Leveille for such of 

 the E'rysijihei as have the conceptacle depressed, 

 and the appendages rigid and simple ; by which 



