Galactinia amethystina {Phill.) Wakef. E. M. Wakefield. 375 



GALACTINIA AMETHYSTINA^PHILLJWAKEF. 



By E. M. Wakefield, E.L.S. 



Under the name Hmnaria Phillipsii Cooke described a fungus 

 which he said he found mixed with the type specimens of 

 Ascobolus amelhystiiius, Phill. It is characterised by its deep 

 purple colour, and large, fusiform, coarsely warted spores, and 

 has been found on several occasions since Cooke's time. In a 

 note in the Naturalist, 1906, pp. 9-10, Massee and Crossland 

 state that they observed spores which were shot off naturally 

 to be hyaline, and conclude therefore that the purple-coloured 

 spores seen in microscopic preparations are merely stained from 

 the tearing of the surrounding tissues. It is known, however, 

 that under suitable conditions spores which are not fully mature 

 may be set free naturally. In the specimens gathered at Baslow 

 young hyaline spores and fully mature purple spores were seen 

 together in the same preparation, and there seems little doubt 

 that the spores do at length become coloured. 



On looking up the original specimens and descriptions, it is 

 obvious that Phillips' description oi Ascobolus amethystinus was 

 drawn up from this plant, called Humaria Phillipsii by Cooke, 

 and later transferred to Galactinia by Boudier. On the other 

 hand, as Cooke noticed, the type material contained also a true 

 Ascobolus. This is a small species, with cups 2-3 mm. across in 

 the dried state. The asci are clavate, about 15 /.t long, and the 

 spores sub-distichous, occupying only the upper, broader part of 

 the ascus. The spores are smooth, elliptical, deep-clear brown, 

 20-24 X 12-14 ju,, rather thick-walled. Filiform paraphyses are 

 present. 



For this Ascobolus another name will have to be found. It 

 will probably prove to be an already described species. "Asco- 

 bolus amethystinus" of Phillips' description is absolutely synony- 

 mous with Galactinia Phillipsii (Cke.) Boud. The specific name 

 will therefore have to be changed, and this plant with purple 

 warted spores must be called Galactinia amethystina (Phill.) 

 Wakef. 



