Observations on Licwenicotous Micro-Parasitss. By 
W. Lauper Linpsay, M.D., F.R.S.E., F.L.S. 
Tue following fragmentary “ Observations” refer to the 
Microscopic Anatomy of certain Parasites—of microscopic 
size—that affect the thallus or apothecia of living Lichens, 
or both their thallus and apothecia. These parasites are 
partly referable to the family of Lichens, and partly to the 
Fungi: but mostly to a nondescript group intermediate 
between Lichens and Fungi, partaking of the characters of 
both.! This group of Lichenicolous Microscopic Parasites 
has been little studied, and is little known. My present 
** Observations ” are a mere Contribution to the Natural 
History of the Parasites in question ; serving, however, to 
illustrate some of their prominent general features. Some- 
times the parasite occurs in the form of asciferous or sporidi- 
ferous apothecia or perithecia, with or without spermogonia 
or pycnidia ; or the latter secondary or complementary 
forms of reproductive organs occur alone. 
1. On Cladonia uncialis, Hffm.? 
Top of Birnam Hill, Dunkeld; collected by myself 
in September, 1858. The podetia frequently terminate 
in large, irregular, bullose dilatations — which constitute 
deformities or anamorphoses of the thallus. From 
these bullosities, sometimes, one or more small ramus- 
cles pass off at right angles, or strike downwards at an 
acute angle. At other times bullosities are scattered over 
the whole length of the podetia, which then acquire a very 
irregular deformed aspect. The anamorphoses of this Cla- 
donia—in the Birnam plant—are quite analogous to those 
of Cetraria glauca and Parmelia conspersa, when the seat of 
the parasitic Lecidea oxyspora Tul.2 Wherever, on the 
Birnam Cladonia, such bullosities occur, they are studded 
over with the minute, brown, immersed, punctiform concep- 
1 The so-called Fungo-lichens, whose general characters I have pointed out 
in the following papers: 
1. “ Otago Lichens and Fungi,” ‘Trans. of Royal Society of Edinburgh,’ 
vol. xxiv, p. 434. 
2. “ Arthonia melaspermella,’ ‘Journal of Linnean Society,’ vol. ix 
(Botany), p. 268. 
3. “Parasitic Micro-lichens,” ‘Quart. Journal of Microscopical Science,’ 
January, 1869. 
2 Vide “ Observations on W. Greenland Lichens,” ‘Trans. Linnean 
Society, vol. xxvii, p. 364, plate xviii, fig. 14. 
3 In P. conspersa, these parasite-infected bullosities appear to constitute 
variety abortiva, Délise. 
