272 



INTRODUCTION TO CRYPTOGAMIC BOTANY. 



Onygenei. — Receptacle clavseform. Asci spring- 

 ing from threads which traverse its 

 cavity. Sporidia at length pulveru- 

 lent. 



Perisporiacei. — Perithecia free, often siirrounded by 

 variously shaped thi'eads. Asci spring- 

 ing from the base. 



Sphceriacei. — Perithecia opening by a distinct punc- 

 tiform or short linear ostiolum. Asci 

 mostly springing from the walls. 



Phacidiacei. — Hard or coriaceous. Hymenium at 

 length exposed. Disc orbicular or 

 very narrow and linear, surrounded 

 by the obtuse or inflected margin. 



Tuberacei. — Hypogeous. Hymenium mostly com- 

 plicated. 



Elvellacei. — Carnose, waxy, or tremelloid. Hyme- 

 nium exposed, very rarely nearly 

 closed. 



1. Onygenei, Berh. {Onygen^s, Lev.) 



General receptacle clavceform or subglobose. Peridium 

 brittle, filled with branched threads, which produce asci at 

 different points. Asci soon absorbed. Sporidia filling the 

 cavity of the peridium, pulvemlent. 



276. The first group consists of two genera only, one of 

 which is but little known ; the other is remarkal^le for its being 

 developed on animal substances, as feathers, horns, hoofs, hair, 

 &c. I have myself found one species on an old piece of flannel, 

 in Sherwood Forest, which had probably formed part of the 

 dress of some gipsy ; and three others, growing on feathers, 

 horns, and bone, have been discovered in this country. One 

 or two are said to grow on wood, but it is not quite certain 

 that they are allied, or if so, the perfect form, perhaps, is not 

 at present known. The species resemble little round-headed 

 nails, and are smooth externally, and filled within with 

 reddish powder, which is at first contained in asci. None of 

 them are very common, and they have scarcely been foimd 

 out of the northern hemisphere. The species are small, and 



