228 
with spirit, nearly all the colour is removed, and it can be seen receding before the 
spirit, if the latter be added whilst the slide is under the microscope. In most 
instances, when the paraphyses are internally coloured, the plasma is distinctly 
granular, whilst in these two species it is not so, which strengthens the conclusion 
that most of the colour belongs to the hymenial gelatin, and this again supports 
the view hereafter advanced that the paraphyses are surrounded by a gelatinous 
fluid. 
Acuminate or fusiform paraphyses are not so uncommon as at first might be 
supposed. Although confined absolutely as far as at present known to minute 
species of Peziza, and the single species of Desmazierella, there can be do doubt of ~ 
their form. Mr. Phillips and myself have detected them in several species and 
usually of considerable length relative to the asci which accompany them. They 
are one very distinctive feature in the closely allied species P. nivea and P. 
virginea, since they are found in P. virginea and not in P. nivea, as I pointed out 
to my friend Mr. Phillips not long since, and requested him to verify my observa- 
tions. I may add that in most novelties of this kind I have not relied solely on 
my own examinations, but have solicited his aid for verification. These paraphyses 
are slender, thickest in the middle, and diminished towards either extremity, the 
apex being acutely pointed. Amongst others they may be seen in Peziza 
sulphurella, Peziza virginea, Peziza brunneola, Peziza virginella, Peziza echiulata, 
Peziza albopileata, Peziza patula, Peziza fuscidula, Peziza rosea, Pezizi littorea of 
Rehm, P. Schwanitzii, P. palearum, P. cephaloidea, P. apala, P. conformis, P. 
albotestacea, P. pollinaria, aud P. mavginata. No instance occurs to me outside 
the section Dasyscypha. 
Branched Paraphyses are to be met with of all these four primal forms except 
the last, and I know of no instance in which an acuminate paraphysis has been 
seen branched. Usually the branching is a simple furcation, with the branch 
reaching to the same height as the branch stem. Linear paraphyses may be seen 
branched in Peziza institia, and clavate in Peziza humosa and P. tctraspora, capitate 
in P. junger manne. Examples of more highly developed paraphyses are some- 
times met with. Messrs. Berkeley and Broome have indicated some. Mr. Gerard 
has sent me figure of paraphysis from P. umbrorum, and Mr. Smith has figured a 
very nodulose paraphysis in Peziza macrocalyx ; but I must confess that in my 
experience such instances are the exception and exceedingly rare. Peziza 
Sterigmatizans and Peziza apophysata are two notable exceptions. It appears to 
me that they usually occur in old paraphyses, it may be by a species of after- 
growth, when by the explosion of the asci there is left more room for a lateral 
development. I have looked for them carefully in Peziza humosa and in a portion 
of Mr. Smith’s own specimen of Peziza macrocalyx without success. That such 
forms have been seen I do not for a moment doubt, still I cannot regard them as 
other than abnormal conditions. 
Dissilient Paraphyses are those in which the upper joint or joints when 
mature break off and give a pulverulent appearance to the disc. It is not un- 
common in Patellaria and Tympanis. In Patellaria cavispora it has been noticed 
