$4 One Thousand Objects 



381. ALDER BLIGHT (Micro spharia pcnicdlatci). One 

 form of this species is found on the leaves of the Guelder 

 rose, another on those of the alder. The appendages are 

 about equal in length to the diameter of the conceptacles, 

 and are much and beautifully branched at the tips. (PL 

 V., fig. 43 ; one of the tips more highly magnified.) 



382. SPINDLE BLIGHT (Microspharia comata). This is 

 found on the leaves of the common spindle tree, and all 

 of them in the autumn. The appendages in this instance 

 are several times longer than the diameter of the concep- 

 tacles, and much divided at their tips. Several other 

 species are found in Britain. 



383. STRAW BRISTLE MOULD (Chatominm elatuiii). 

 This is plentiful on damp rotting straw, and consists of 

 biistly conceptacles, with scarcely any distinguishable 

 mycelium. 



384. DISCOID SPH^ERIA (Microthyrinm micro scopicuvi). 

 This interesting little parasite is found, like minute 

 black points, on fallen leaves of box and evergreen oak. 

 It consists of a number of little asci containing spores, 

 and arranged in a radiating manner; the whole being 

 covered with a membranaceous discoid perithecium. The 

 perithecium only is figured. (PI. V., fig. 14.) 



385. HISPID SPH.ERIA (Venturia myrtilli). Of the 

 large group of Sphaeriae, containing the spores (usually 

 eight) in transparent elongated asci, mixed with barren 

 threads, and enclosed in a more or less globose perithe- 

 cium ; some are smooth, and others rough or spiny. The 

 species found on dead leaves of the whortleberry is a 

 good example of a Hispid Sphasria, and, if seen with a 

 binocular under an inch power, is a very pretty object. 



(PI. V, fig. 12.) 



386. GUNPOWDER SPH^ERIA (Spharia pulvis-pyrius). 

 This is a gregarious species. The black perithecia form 

 large patches on old stumps and naked wood, resembling, 

 to the naked eye, large grains of gunpowder. If one or 

 two of the perithecia are placed in a drop of water and 

 broken by pressure, the interior will be found to be filled 

 with asci, containing brown triseptate spores. 



