THE ASCOMYCETES, 415 



of a leaf of goat-willow ; nal. size. — Fig. 46, Two plants of same, 

 slightly magnified. — Fig. 47, Ascus and paraphyses of same; 

 X 300. — Fig. 48, Pseiidographis pinicola^ Rehm., plants ; nat. size. 

 — Fig. 49, One plant of same ; slightly magnified. — Fig. 50, Ascus 

 and paraphyses of same; x 300. — Fig. 51, Colpoma degenerans, 

 Mass. ; spores x 300. — Fig. 52, Propolis fagmea, Karst., group of 

 plants; nat. size. — Fig. 53, Two plants of same; slightly magni- 

 fied. — Fig. 54, Section of same; slightly magnified. — Fig. 55, 

 Ascus and paraphyses of same; highly magnified. — Fig. 56, Free 

 spores of same ; x 300. 



Discomycetes. 



The most important distinctive feature of the present great 

 group or third family of the Ascomycetes consists in the disc or 

 hymenium being fully exposed at maturity. There is a very wide 

 range in size, form, texture, and colouration, and, as would be 

 expected, there are transitions to allied groups at various points. 

 We have selected for our second plate that illustrating the 



Helvelle^e (Plate XXII. ). 



The principal common feature of this group is that the disc or 

 hymenium is fully exposed from the earliest stage. There is an 

 absence of the incurved margin of the ascophore when young, and 

 the gradual exposure of the disc so characteristic of the Pezizae. 



Explanation of Plate XXII., showing Figures illustrating 



the Ifelvellece, etc. 



Fig. I, Morchella esculenta^ Pers., entire fiingus ; about one- 

 third nat. size. — Fig. 2, Ascus and paraphysis of same ; highly 

 magnified. — Fig. 3, Spores of same ; x 330. — Fig. 4, Rhizina 

 undulata, Fries, entire fungus about one-half nat. size. — Fig. 5, 

 Section of same, showing the numerous rhizoids ; about one-half 

 nat. size. — Fig. 6, Ascus and paraphyses of the same ; highly mag- 

 nified. — Fig. 7, Spores of same, x 300. — Fig. 8, Gleoglossum 

 glutinosum, Pers., entire fungus ; about two-thirds nat. size. — 

 Fig. 9, Ascus and paraphyses of the same ; highly magnified. — 

 Fig. 10, Spores of same ; x 300. — Fig. 11, Leptoglossum micro- 

 sporuniy Sacc, ascus and paraphysis; highly magnified. — Fig. 12, 

 spores of same ; x 300. — Fig. 13, Gleoglossjcm viscosum^ Pers., 



