THE ANNALS 



MAGAZINE OF NATURAL HISTORY. 



[FOURTH SERIES.] 

 No. 22. OCTOBER 18G9. 



XXV. — On some cu7-ious Fossil Fungi from the Black Shale of 

 the Northumherland Coal-field. By AlJJANV IIanccjL'Iv, 



F.L.S., and Thomas Attiiey*. 



[Plates IX. & X.] 



It is now about ten years ago tliat a few sections of certain 

 lenticular bodies were made and their peculiar tubular raniili- 

 catious revealed. These bodies were then supposed to be of 

 vegetable origin, and were procured in the Cnunlington Black 

 Shale. At the time we took these tul)ular ramitications to be 

 those of a parasitic fungus related to the unicellular fungi 

 described by KoUikerf; and as such our specimens were ex- 

 hibited at one of the early microscopic soirees held by the 

 Tyneside Naturalists' Field Club. 



Since we first became acquainted with these curious and 

 interesting bodies, we have collected a vast number of speci- 

 mens (not less tlian 150) at Crandington, Newsham, and other 

 localities; and, having been engaged for the last few months 

 investigating the subject, we now propose to give a succinct 

 account of the results at which we have arrived, reserving for 

 some future occasion more complete details of our researches. 



First, then, Avith regard to the bodies themselves in whicli 

 the peculiar structure aUuded to is found. They are frequently 

 circular, a good deal di'[)ressed and lenticular, with one side 

 generally flatter than the otiier, sometimes quite flat. Tlie 

 largest arc upwards of ^'o i'^^'^ i>^ diameter and nearly -p'^ inch 

 in thickness. Oval, depressed forms also occur, one of which 

 in our possession is Vir I'^ch in length, though one extremity 

 is wanting, and -,'y inch wide. r)Ut l)y far the greater number 



* CoiuinuuicatiHl by tlie Author.^, liaviii;jj bi'cu reail at the Meetin.'- of 

 the IJritish Association licld at Exeter in 18(!!). 



t See Ann. .^- Ma},'. Xat. Hist. ser. n. vol. iv. p. 300, Oct. 18>0. 



Ann. d; Mag. N. Hist. Ser. 4. IV. iv. IG 



