INTKODUCTION TO CRYPTOGAMIC BOTANY. 3+1 







m^r^' 



Fig. 76. 



Emericella variecolor, Berk, and Bi-. 



a. Vertical section of peridium and stem. 



b. Gonidioid cells on the threads, with which the lower part of the 

 stem is clothed. 



c. Gonidioid cells in various conditions. 



d. Tissue of centre of stem. 



e. Spores with processes all situated in the same plane. 



All more or less magnified. 



a spongy central column, giving off threads which are termi- 

 nated by large globose bodies resembling closely the gonidia of 

 Lichens, but growing very much like the Palmella, figured at 

 p. 118. Dr. Montague has observed these bodies to become 

 blue with iodine, but this is not confirmed by myself or 

 Mr. Broome. I have, in fact, tried various preparations of 

 iodine, and the addition of sulphuric acid has given no blue 

 tinge. The general colour of the plant does not arise from 

 these bodies so much as from the fine threads on which they 

 grow. Increase in many cases certainly takes place, exactly as 

 in the Palmella, by the division of the central nucleus, and 

 in one instance I have observed two of them to be confluent.* 

 368. In more normal species, we have either a single peridium, 

 with traces of a second in various granules, spines, or stellate 



* This very curious Fungus was gathered by my son, Lieut. Emeric 

 Streatfeild Berkeley, in his garden, at Boweupilly, near Secimderabad. 

 I have named it Emericella variecolor, and it is certainly one of the 

 most curious that has ever come under my notice. 



