"` "` EE 
LI 
SORDARIA 58 
The occurrence and the characteristics of the two previous 
species are so intimately related that it seems best to discuss them 
together. As is readily seen from the descriptions given, the real 
difference is one of size. According to my interpretation, based 
on observation of the dry and cultivated material at hand, the 
variability of this character has led to the estab- 
lishment of unwarranted species. Plowright, for 
instance, in commenting upon S. microspora and 
S. platyspora, states that they are closely related 
to S. discospora, but evidently different. Again 
Niessl, in Krieger's Fungi Saxonici, no. 166, says 
that he is perfectly familiar with S. microspora, 
but has always considered it to be a small-spored 
form of S. discospora. The two forms recognized 
here grow intimately mixed and it is seldom that 
one is found without the other, the larger spored 
one, .S. discospora, being usually the less fre- 
quent. The specimen quoted above shows the 
same condition that one meets with in the Amer- 
ican forms. Both large- and’small-spored forms 
grow together. Several perithecia examined con- 
tained spores identical with the original S. Zeu- Fic. 4. After Plow- 
coplaca while others agreed with .S. discospora. right. 1-3, Sordaria 
Winter recognized a variety of discospora which ,مہ4۸‎ peritheci- 
: > e um, ascus and spores. 
he called S. discospora major. A specimen * of ور سید ہے‎ 
this at hand has spores larger than anything sora, perithecium, as- 
which has been seen from this country, and in- cus, spores and para- 
deed the variety is larger throughout. It ap- Hi 
pears to me that there are three distinct forms in this group, the 
variety major and the two preceding species. After studying a 
great number of specimens in culture, I can readily conceive how 
Plowright could have concluded that the two species established 
by him might be “ different from S. discospora.”’ There certainly 
are forms which appear to be intermediate, but the difference be- 
tween the extremes seems too great to permit uniting into one 
species. 
The “white floccose spot" on which the perithecium of S. Zeu- 
* Krieger, Fung. Saxon. no. 74. 
