46 FUNGUS-FLOKA. 



is mentioned in the present work, unless otherwise stated. 

 In most of the minute species the structure of the external 

 portion of the excipulum can be seen under the microscope 

 without preparing a section ; in the case of fleshy species a 

 section is necessary. 



The arrangement of the spores in the ascus, whether in a 

 parallel fascicle or bundle, 1-seriate, or 2-seriate, is also an 

 important feature, both specific and generic. 



Ord. DISCOMYCETES. 



A. Ascophore immersed, in the matrix, minute, coriaceous or 



waxy. 



Fam. I. Phacidieae. 



Ascophore minute, immersed in the matrix, more or less 

 coriaceous, usually blackish ; excipulum connate with the 

 epidermis of the host, at first continuous, then splitting above 

 in a stellate manner, or by a long fissure, and exposing the 

 disc. 



Fam. IT. Sticteae. 



Ascophore minute, immersed in the matrix, urceolate then 

 expanding; excipulum very thin and whitish, or almost 

 obsolete ; closed at first then opening and margined by the 

 delicate excipulum or by the matrix only ; disc waxy, clear- 

 coloured, pale. 



B. Ascophore minute, subcoriaceous, becoming discoid ; usually 



blackish. 



Fam. III. Patellarieae. 



Ascophore minute, erumpent when quite young, soon 

 becoming superficial and often discoid, sessile, glabrous, 

 subcoriaceous or horny, often blackish. 



