THE SPORE AND ITS DISSEMINATION. 



133 



subquadrate sporidia. Other species contain linear sporidia, 

 which are often the length of the ascus, and may either be simple 

 or septate. In Splioeria uinaspora the sporidia are abruptly bent 

 at the second joint. Shorter fusiform sporidia are by no means 

 uncommon, varying in the number of septa, and in constriction 

 at the joints in different species. Elliptic or ovate sporidia are 

 common, as are those of the peculiar form which may be termed 

 sausage-shaped. These are either hyaline or coloured of some 

 shade of brown. Coloured sporidia of this kind are common in 



FIG. 68. Ascus and sporidia FIG. 69. Sporidium of 

 of Hypocrea. Sphceria, ulnaspvra. 



FIG. 70. Sporidia of Valsa 

 profasa (Currty). 



Xylaria and Ilypoxylon, as well as in certain species of the section 

 Superjiciales. Coloured sporidia are often large and beautiful : 

 they are mostly of an elongated, elliptical form, or fusiform. As 

 noteworthy may be mentioned the sporidia of MeJanconis land- 



