76 M. C. COOKE ON NETTLE STEMS AND- THEIR MICRO-FUNGI. 



sulpliur-coloiired, and woolly externally, approaching to brown, 

 especially when dry, with the disc or inner surface of the cup of a 

 pallid hue. This is a very pretty object, but the colour varies con- 

 siderably in its depth and brightness. The asci contain eight fusi- 

 form sporidia, which seem to be sometimes divided transversely by 

 three septa, but probably this may only be a division of the endo- 

 chrome. It is very difficult at times to make out distinctly the 

 form of the sporidia when still contained in the asci, or the septa 

 when free, if the membrane is very delicate. To assist in this a 

 drop of tincture of iodine should be run in under the covering glass 

 whilst the asci are being examined. The membrane is tinged of a 

 brownish colour by this means, and is often rendered quite distinct. 



The remaining species of Peziza found on old nettles belong to 

 the section Hymenoscypha, in which the cups are stipitate, and 

 somewhat membranaceous, and though smooth internally the 

 margin is often toothed or fringed. The Peziza infiexa of Bolton 

 is a pretty species, of a dirty yellowish white, with the margin of 

 the cup beset with regu^_ar triangular teeth. It is figured by 

 Bolton in his " Funguses of Halifax " (plate 106, fig. 2). The 

 marginal teeth are not erect, but bent inwards towards the centre 

 of the cup. 



Closely allied to the preceding is Peziza coronata^ of a nearly 

 equal size, similar in colour and in length of stem, but differing in 

 the margin being beset with a fringe of bristly hairs, instead of the 

 distinct, inflexed, triangular teeth of the previous species. The 

 alliance of these is so intimate that some authors have not hesi- 

 tated to regard them as forms of the same species, whilst others 

 maintain that their differences, though minute, are permanent. 



A yellow, or brownish yellow Peziza^ is found on stems of the 

 nettle in Northern Europe, which, from the campanulate form of 

 the cups, has been called Peziza campanula (Nees.), but it has not 

 been recorded in Britain. The sporidia in this species are slender, 

 and with from three to five transverse septa. It is found in August 

 and September. 



A much more distinct, but by no means common, species is 

 Peziza striata, with the cup turbinate, or top-shaped, of a brownish 

 colour, striate externally, and with a short pallid stem. The mar- 

 gin is always disposed to close inwards, but is not fringed or toothed. 

 The inner surface of the cup is pallid. The sporidia are fusiform, 

 and without any indication of septa. It is so much addicted to 



