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CERCOSPORITES SP., A NEW FOSSIL FUNGUS. 
By Ernest 8. Saumon, F.L.S. 
‘In a recent paper entitled “‘ Microflora e Microfauna nel disodile 
di Melilli in Sicilia’ (Rendiconti della R. Acc ad. dei Lincei, vol. xi. 
ring in these ‘disodile’’ beds—a tertiary nee belonging in 
all proba to the Middle Miocene—as fungi belonging to the 
Erysiphacee, Two genera are described, Unsinslites, with the single 
species U. Baccarini, and Erysiphites, with the species E. Melilli. 
As I have for some years studied the Erysiphacee, I was anxious 
0 
allowing me to Eee the two slides of the preparations of these 
organisms, and also for permission to publish the following observa- 
tions on another fungus found in one of the preparations. 
Erystphites Melilii is described as fallgwa: —‘‘ Perithecia sparsa, 
superficialia, spheroidea, undique clausa, atra, ceraceo-membrana- 
cea, 170 »p, mycelio arachnoideo, Legis ni ee ramosis, 
flexuosis, sordide luteis, numerosis.”’ type-slide sent to me 
contains one example of the organism isvenibod above. This single 
example consists of a globose body, the diameter of which measures 
180 ». From the periphery of this body, which is of a dark brownish 
oaliail numerous pale brown septate threads radiate. These threads 
are 2-3 in diameter, and have all the appearance of mycelial 
hyphe. But there rs I think, reasons to doubt if the cen tral 
n examin 
globular body consists of but a single at Further, the bounding 
membrane of this cell seems to me to resemble that found in animal 
rather than in vegetable structures. In the same slide, it may be 
’ noted, three other globular bodies occur, of the same colour and of 
about the same size as that described above. These three bodies 
are all — naked, being without any trace of fungal hyphe. One 
of them, except in n this absence of the peripheral hyphe, resembles 
‘so closely the individual first described above that it must, I think, 
be alate as being of the same origin. e two other bodies 
: more transparent and apparently prin laces and 
resemble closely the eggs of a mite, or some such animal. It is 
quite possible that the single example first pre oe aioe we may be 
of similar she: and that the investing fungal hyphe are ex- 
ratte Whatever be the ee interpretation of these bodies, 
.¢. Whether thay are of animal or vegetable origin, they cannot, 
I consider, be regarded as petithisel paul have therefore nothing 
to do with the Erysiphacee soit 
neinulites Baccarini is described as follows :— —‘ Perithecia sub- 
globosa, tenul membranacea, nigra, astoma, 30-85 p, 
