CLASSIFICATION 491 



G. difforme. — Entire length of fungus 2-4 in., black, sliglitl}- 

 viscid when moist, smooth, upper portion often irregularly bent, 

 compressed, tip blunt, distinct from the thinner stem, which is 

 cylindric and even (spores 8-celled, brown, 90-100x6 /'). 



Differs from G. glabrum in the larger spores and in the 

 paraphyses, which are pale l)ro\\n, and not clavate at the 

 tip. 



On the ground among moss, etc. 



G. hirsnt'iim. — Entire fungus 2-3 in. high, black, upper portion 

 oblong or ovate, generally more or less flattened and longitudinally 

 wrinkled, minutely hairy, as is also the thinner cylindrical stem 

 (spores many-celled, linear-fusiform, brown with an olive tinge, 

 130-150x5/;^). 



Readily distinguished by the hairy or \-elvety surface of the 

 entire fungus. 



On the ground among moss, etc. Gregarious or tufted. 



Pezizace^ 



This family includes many hundreds of British species, most of 

 which are small, and many are of microscopic dimensions, but all 

 are exceedingly beautiful when examined microscopically. A few 

 species are sufficiently large to claim mention in this book. The 

 typical species are sometimes spoken of as cup-fungi, on account 

 of the cup-shape assumed at maturity. When young the ascophore 

 is usually more or less globose and closed, but by gradual growth 

 it expands until it is cup-shaped, saucer-shaped, or almost com- 

 pletely plane. Most species are water}^ and brittle, but dry well, 

 and the asci and spores retain all their characteristics in the dried 

 condition. 



Lachnea 



Ascophore sessile, edge at first incurved, then liecoming plane, 

 externally hairy, hairs best developed and largest at the edge, 

 where they are long, straight, and spine-like, spreading when the 

 ascophore is expanded (spores i-celled, colourless, smooth or with 

 the wall warted or netted, elliptical). 



Most of the species arc small. Known from allies by the fringe 

 of spine-like hairs spreading from the edge of the ascophore, a 

 character best seen under a pocket lens. 



L. sciitellata. — Ascophore globose, then expanding until plane or 

 flat, disc deep carmine or almost vermilion, externally pale red, 

 edge with a fringe of stout, spine-like, blackish hairs, up to i in. 

 across, often smaller (spores i-celled, elliptical, at first smooth, be- 

 coming minutely warted, 20-25x11-14 i>). 



Distinguished by the bright red disc and the verj' long, blackish 

 marginal hairs. 



On wood, also on the ground. Not uncommon. 



