205 



I believe these observations are of great use in the natural classification of 

 the numerous species of this difficult family, upon which the efltorts of the most 

 able mycologists have been more and more engaged of late. I believe, too, it may 

 prevent other less happy arrangements. I will mention for example Pcziza tuber- 

 osa and P. rapulum, which have their asci inoperculate, placed by Persoon and 

 by Fries, and even by modern authors, amongst the Aleuria, in which these 

 organs are operculate. Nevertheless these species have something in their aspect 

 nearly apjjroaching Phialea, as Persoon in his Synopsis (p. 644) had already re- 

 marked " de intuitu " of P. tuberosa. 



The Lachnea, Humaria, and other genera beside, with operculate asci, con- 

 tain many species which ought to be withdrawn and placed in the second division. 



It is only by examining the species in a fresh state that any perfection can 

 be attained in a study so difiicult as the classification of Pezizw. In the dry state 

 these observations are very difficult, and often impossible, in consequence of the 

 contracted condition in which the asci are found. 



These two sections in the Disctymycetes form two parallel series agreeing well 

 in the base. Thus the Opercuhc commences with the species of a more elevated 

 order, as Morchclla, Verpa, Hdvella, passing by the Pcziza in the sections Aleuria, 

 Lachnea; descending by Humaria, Ascoboius, to Ryparohius and Ascosonus; 

 ascending again in the Incpercula: by the small genera of Mollisia, Lachnella, 

 Phialea, as far as Leotia, Mitrula, and Ocoglossum ; that is to say, almost to the 

 height of the highest species of the first section, only changing very slightly, as I 

 have shown, the classification now generally adopted. 



ASCI IN A POLYPORUS. 

 The Rev. M. J. Berkeley explained at the Conversazione the circumstances 

 under which he found the pores of a Polyporus fringed at the margin, with asci 

 containing spores. The specimens had been forwarded also to Mr. C. E. Broome, 

 and he confirmed the observation in all essential particulars. The asci were per- 

 fectly naked, and there is not the slightest reason for the assumption that they 

 bore any relationship to Hypomyces, or even that they were parasitic in any other 

 manner. There was every appearance of their being a development, of an abnor- 

 mal character, of the Polyporus itself. The explanation was offered in the hope of 

 inducing further research in the same direction, so as to obtain some clue to the 

 cause of a phenomenon so unusual and unexpected. See also Gardener's Chronicle 

 for Nov. 16th, 1879. 



A NEW GENUS OF DISCOMYCETES. 

 [By M. C. Cooke.] 



The Discomycetes are a large group of fungi which form a portion of the order of 

 Ascomycetes. The substance of which the fungus is composed is of a fleshy or 



