356 G. MASSEE ON CHAETOMIUM BOSTRYCHOIDES. 



The ejected spore-mass is at first deposited on these closely-coiled 

 hairs, which are hygroscopic, and, under certain conditions, slowly 

 uncoil or expand, thus elevating the spore-mass, which is either 

 eaten by minute mites, etc., or scattered by rain ; in either case 

 the dispersal of the spores is effected. 



In the most widely distributed British species, C. elaticm Kze., 

 the haii-s forming the apical tuft are straight, very long, and 

 branched in a dichotomous manner, whereas in C. 7nuroruin 

 Corda, the hairs are curved throughout their length, forming 

 a semicircle curving away from the mouth of the perithecium. 



Many species grow on damp straw or decaying plant stems, 

 others are exceedingly abundant on damp paper ; in fact, to 

 procure a crop of C. elation it is only necessary to keep blotting- 

 paper damp for two or three weeks, and the fungus will be 

 almost certain to appear. 



Journ. Quekett Microscopical Club, Ser. 2, Vol. VIII., No. 51, November 1902. 



