60 
and. of a compact consistence’; a few 
are redand fleshy. Several species, previous to the open= 
ing -of ‘the cells, exhibit a white fu powder, 
which has been accurately observed by Hoffman, Tode, 
and Bulliard, and which many naturalists consider as 
the:male organs of the plant. Almost all the species 
of this genus, especially those which have no stems, 
w' under the epidermis of living trees, or decaying 
eaves, which they pierce at the time of the dispersion 
of the seeds. The genus is divided into the following 
sections. 
Sect. 1. Capsules supported on a lengthened fles 
or cork-like base: (Hi paowlancot Jussiea.) Sonar. 
digitata, Sower. tab. 69. This plant commences its 
growth very early in the spring, and continues 
through the summer, ripening its capsules in au- 
tumn annually.. Though at first somewhat pointed, 
and covered with a whitish dust or farina, as it advan- 
ces it assumes a more conical form, and the farina is 
more onthe top. It finally becomes blunter, and the 
head is covered with spherules copiously discharging 
a black soot-like powder. The inner substance is 
very white and solid, the fibres diverging from the 
centre upwards, and in breaking form a diverging 
cone. This plant, when exposed to the action of the 
sun under water, gives out air which contains seventy 
per cent. of hydrogen gas. 
Sect. II. Capsules placed upon an exposed base more 
or less apparent. Spheria concentrica, Sower. tab. 160. 
The general shape of this curious parasite is hemisphe- 
tical, though often very uneven. It forms whitish fa- 
rinaceous threads, and black spherules in alternate or- 
der around the whole surface, which having fructified, 
remain in strie, concentrating from the root or base. 
The white threads destitute of farina becoming greyer, 
and the a mac of capsules in the black striae be- 
ing totally lost, give it the exact resemblance of the 
grain of the wood in some charcoal: This plant is 
found on ash, hornbeam, willow, and other trees, and 
often grows to three inches diameter, in some situa- 
tions continuing to grow many months. 
Sror. 3. Capsules not united by a common receptacle, 
but joined the one to the other in bundles or thassboe. 
Spheria coronata, Hoffm. Crypt. i. p. 26. tab. 5. f. 2. 
This species presents five or six cells disposed in a cir- 
cular ring, black, somewhat globular, of the size of a 
pin head ; their openings are lengthened, cylindrical, 
and inclined in such a manner’ as to unite at the sum- 
mit. These cells are placed in the bark ; their orifices 
pierce the epidermis, and appear a little on the outside. 
This species grows upon the birch. 
Secr. 4. Capsules distinct, approaching, or solitary. 
Spheria gnomon, Sower. tab. 373. fig. 6. This species 
is found at the beginning of spring upon the leaves of 
the hazel tree, forming, in general, rounded or annular 
patches.- The capsules are distinct from one another. 
On the upper part of the leaf, a black somewhat con- 
vex tubercle may be perceived, beneath are found 
lengthened blackened knobs ; a concave orifice may be 
observed at their summit, furnished with a bristle re- 
sembling a style. 
Genus III, Namaspora. | The plants of this genus 
differ from those of the preceding, in consequence of 
the fertile pulp containing the capsule issuing from the 
orifice of a semi-compact consistence, and lengthening 
out into a capillary appendage, soluble in water. 
Nemaspora carpina, Sower. tab. $76. This is*not 
uncommon on the hornbean ; the spherules*are lodged 
 PUNGI 
‘Hyporyla- the cle.’ Almost'all thé:species of this genus are 
ana aS 
under the bark, and are ‘com 
compressed, irregular, and 
SU ooceecath eneneninie aden ioe 
they become brittle, and like chareoal. nel 
- Genus IV. Xytoma. The capsules are hard, of va- 
rious forms, filled with fleshy jelly ; they remain firm, 
and burst in different places to allow the escape of the 
jelly. The plants’ of this Beet grow ‘upon dead or 
iving leaves, where they form: black and ‘frequently 
bright spots. They prefer the 3 surface of the ~ 
leaves, while the rome ra ware e parasitical fungi ~ 
paps grow upon living leaves, prefer the under sur 
~ 
Xyloma punctatum. Every one is acquainted with 
the appearance of this plant. It grows upon the up+ 
per surface of the common: in the form of 
black patches, a ing to a circular form. It cons 
sists at first of rounded distinct wrinkled flat points. ° 
Genus V. Hypoperma. The plants’ of this genus 
have an oblong receptacle opening by a longitudinal 
slit, and emitting a substance, which is nearly pulveru« 
lent, containing the seeds. They differ from the plants 
of the last genus in aspect, and by the oblong slit of 
the receptacle. - = - 3 
Hypoderma quercinum, Sower. tab. 373.3. This plant 
is ehiiqueu on the dried branches of the oak in length-. 
ened spots, waved, and for the most part transverse: 
When the seeds are about to be dispersed, the epider- 
mis of the bark opens, and the capsule splits in the’same 
direction, affording a to the seeds, and vanish 
ing itself soon after: seeds are black. 
TRIBE II. In this tribe, the seed.bearing pulp res 
mains in the receptacle, or escapes in a gradual and in- 
sensible manner. The former tribe connects the 
poxyla with the fungi, and this tribe establishes’ their 
relation to the lichens. +o . 
Genus VI. Hysrertum. e receptacle is o 
and opens by a longitudinal slit. It encloses Snornoate 
which are enveloped in a gelatinous liquor, thus form- 
ing a capsule constituting the whole plant. The hys- 
teria live on fallen trunks, and not under the epiders 
mis. 
Hysterium pulicare. Lichen marmoreus of English 
Bot. 739. This plant presents convex tubercles, which 
are black, compact, oblong or rounded, opening at the 
top by a longitudinal slit. It grows in groups on the 
bark of the oak, and various other trees. 
Genus VII. Opzcrapna. The receptacles of this ge« 
nus are linear, sessile, simple or branched, marked above 
by a longitudinal slit containing the seeds.. These are 
situated in an interrupted crust: This genus, named 
and characterised by Humboldt and Persoon, consists 
of numerous species, confounded’ under the names 
Lichen rugosus and scriptus of Linneus. Some ofthe 
ies grow upon trees, others upon stones. In all of 
them the receptacles are black. ° 
Opegrapha denigrata, E. Bot. 1753. The crust is 
white, and sometimes so thin that one would be di 
to consider it a simple alteration of the colour of the epi- 
dermis of the bark. The receptacles are black, often 
shining, waved, simple or branched, prominent, mark~’ 
ed by a distinct groove, clustered in rounded spots. 
Common on the oak and. various other trees. 
Genus VIII. Verrucaria. The plants of this ge- 
nus have a thin crust, bearing the receptacles some-~ 
times buried in it; sometimes prominent, somewhat 
globular, closed at first, afterwards pierced by a pore 
at the summit. They differ from the*former , im 
the receptacles opening by a rounded pore, and not by’ 
é 4 
