CRYPTOGAMIA FUNGI. 1 19 



" So many appearances are assumed by this Sphceria^ that it 

 requires long practice to determine it without examining 

 the interior ; the yellow-green colour of the pulverulent 

 Stroma is always conspicuous, and is sufficient to decide 

 the species." GREVILLE. 



7. S. filidna, crust glossy black, smooth, thin, spreading in a 

 linear manner; cells very minute, without visible orifices 

 SPRENG. Syst. Veg. iv. 391. S. pteridis, Sow. Fung. t. 394, f. 10. 



Hob. On the dead stalks of the Braken, common. 



Forms linear or irregular spots external to the epidermis, 

 varying from two or three lines to upwards of an inch in 

 length. The cells are entirely immersed, arranged in 

 rows, and so small as only to be seen in the fully developed 

 plant, but then conspicuous enough from their whitish 

 colour. 



8. S. fframinis, crust dull black, raised, forming small oblong 

 spots on the leaves of grasses ; cells immersed, the orifices con- 

 cealed PERS. Syn. 30. Bot. Gall ii. 695. MOUG. and NEST., 

 No. 876. 



Hub. On decaying but still green leaves of grasses, parti- 

 cularly of Dactylis glomerata and Poa annua. 



9. S. juncij capsules bursting from beneath the epidermis, mi- 

 nute, rowed, forming small dull black raised oblong spots on the 

 outer surface, often confluent. SPRENG. Syst. Veg. iv. 391. 



Hob. On the dead culms of the common rushes, in early 

 spring. 



The capsules originate beneath the bark, and penetrate it by 

 their minute points. They are placed in rows evidently 

 determined by the striae of the stem ; and the orifices are 

 either punctiform and free, or concealed and immersed in 

 a black crust, the surface of which is slightly uneven. 



10. S. quercina, crust thin, spreading, brown, smooth, studded 

 over with tubercles ; capsules enclosed in the tubercles, arranged 



circularly, with rough prominent orifices penetrating the bark. 



SPREXG. Syst. Veg. iv. 389. MOUG. and NEST., No. 868. 



Hob. On decayed branches of oak, abundant. 

 The crust spreads along the branches under the bark to a 



