170 FUNGUS-FLORA. 



irregularly polygonal cells ; asci clavate, 8-spored ; spores 

 broadly elliptical, sometimes the ends are obtuse, usually 

 somewhat pointed, hyaline then violet, finally brown, 

 epispore for a long time smooth, at length slightly granulated, 

 13-15 x 9-10 fx, enclosed in a common sac within the 

 ascus; paraphyses septate, only slightly thickened at the 

 tip. 



Ascobolus (Saccobolus) obscurus, Cke., Grev., vol. iv. p. 112. 



On old sacking. 



Type specimen examined. 



A fine species, well marked by the broadly elliptical 

 spores. 



Saccobolus depauperatus. Phil., Brit. Disc, p. 296; 

 Sacc, Syll., viii. n. 2178. 



Ascophores gregarious, sessile, at first subglobose and 

 closed, then expanding until quite plane, glabrous, pallid 

 Avith a yellow tinge when youug, then darker with a dull 

 purple shade, blackish when old and dry, about J mm. 

 across ; excipulum parenchymatous, cortieal cells 10-15 fi 

 diameter, irregularly polygonal; asci clavate, apex obtuse 

 and rounded, narrowed below into a stout pedicel, 8-spored ; 

 spores elliptical, smooth, dingy violet then clear brown, 

 epispore smooth, continuous, 12-14 x 7 /*, enclosed in a 

 common membrane within the ascus ; paraphyses septate, 

 hyaline, slightly thickened at the tip. 



Ascobolus depauperatus, B. & Br., Ann. Nat. Hist., n. 1084, 

 ser. iii., vol. xv. p. 19, pi. 14, fig. 6. 



On dung of sheep, horse, and deer. 



Type specimen examined, also specimen in Eehm's Ascom., 

 n. 661. 



Saccobolus violascens. Boud., Mem. Ascob., p. 40, 

 pi. 8, fig. 19; Phil., Brit. Disc, p. 296; Sacc, Syll., viii. 

 n. 2177. 



Ascophores scattered or gregarious, sessile, glabrous, 

 shining, hemispherical then expanded, the disc becoming 

 plane or slightly convex, rarely somewhat undulating, violet 

 or greyish-violet, about 1 mm. across ; excipulum parenchy- 

 matous ; asci broadly clavate, apex somewhat truncate, 

 narrowed at the base into a short, slender, crooked pedicel, 



