238 DR. LINDSAY ON THE SPERMOGONES AND 
Y) Lichens : e.g. Verrucarie ; 
as on contigua, tenebrosa, verruculosa, petrea. 
(c) Fungo-lichens: e.g. Microthelie. 
When the spermogones or pycnides of Lecidea, as they frequently do, occur in patches 
or large groups by themselves, unassociated with apothecia or any distinctive thallus, 
they constitute species of the pseudo-genus Pyrenothea ; and it is too often in this case 
impossible to determine the species of Lecidea to which they really belong. 
Species 1. L. CONTIGUA, Fr. 
Specimen 1. On weathered basalt, top of Norman Law, near Newburgh, Fife, May 
1858: W.L.L. Two forms of spermogone occur; in one (a) the sterigmata are digi- 
tately divided below, the limbs being long (about sọ), and slender; in the other (b) 
they are short, linear, and simple. In both, the spermatia are straight rods; but in the 
one they are much longer than in the other form, being in (a) about 3555 long, and 
50557 broad; while in (b) they are atomic, 45155 by 3500. In both cases, the spermo- 
gones are externally alike, being blackish or brownish dots, studded on separate thalline 
areolæ, the body being immersed. They are often confluent, and then form, sometimes 
irregular, warts. The ostiole is generally girt by a brownish or greyish subpulverulent 
margin. The second form of spermogone (6) occurs on a variety of the Lecidea, which 
accompanies the type on the same stone. 
Specimen 2. On gneissic stones, Fort William, Aug. 1856: W. L. L. Spermogones 
are abundant, as minute, black, subprominent warts or cones, scattered on the whitish 
thallus, among, but more especially external to, the apothecia. They are apparently old ; 
for sterigmata are indistinct, while spermatia are not seen. In some cases the ostiole is 
obscurely visible. | 
Specimen 3. Haughmond Hill, Shropshire, Leight. Exs. no. 155: on sandstone grit. 
Spermogones occur on small greenish patches of thallus. But their contents are very 
different from those of the type; and though associated with, they may not be referable 
to, the Lecidea. The sterigmata are linear, branching below, as in Ramalina, bearing, on 
their ends only, short, thickish, suboblong spermatia. 
Specimen 4. Co. Antrim: Dr. Moore, in herb. Carroll Apothecia degenerate. Sper- 
mogones abundant, of the character externally of those of Lecanora subfusca and Lecidea ` 
fusco-atra, being small, pellucid, brown spots, not always round in outline, though 
normally so; flat, with a pale thalline ring or margin; body wholly immersed. They 
are only visible under moisture, and with the aid of the lens. Spermatia and sterigmata 
are as in var. flavicunda. 
Specimen 5. Var. turgida, Sch. (—.Lecidea turgida, Sch., Nyl. Prod. p. 131). On 
basalt, Blackeairn Hill, Newburgh, May 1858: W. L. L. Spermogones abound as minute 
black dots, scattered about the black hypothallus, or boundary line; distinct on the 
smoothish white thallus. Spermatia straight rods, 4455 long and 4455; broad; seated on 
sterigmata, about 3255 long, that are sometimes digitately divided below, or are com- 
posed of a few delicate articulations, the latter being variously either long and narrow, 
or short, broadish, and irregular 
