GLASGOW SOCIETY OF FIELD NATURALISTS. 87 



that it will ultimately prove distinct from L. Phylliscocarpa, and 

 one or two others. The study of lichenology is passing through 

 a transitionary stage, but the field of observation is still so scattered, 

 especially as regards the crustaceoiis lichens, that generalization is 

 difficult and even impossible. A record meanwhile of the minuter 

 differences will evidently tend towards the elucidation of genei'al 

 affinities, the study of which ought to be the main object of every 

 botanist. 



Lecidea asperella {Sp. Nov.) 



Thallus crassiusculus niger granuloso-furfuraceus, diffracto-areo- 

 latus deterininatus : apothecia parva (latit. "2 — -4 min.) adnata nigra 

 nitida plana, margin© tenui nitido, hymenium, lamina tenui visum, 

 omnino coeruleo-virescens : sporse Snse incolores simplices ellip- 

 soideae vel oblongo-ellipsoidese, -0075 — '01 X '004 — -005 mm., 

 paraphyses non bene distinctae, apicibus clavatis coerulescentibus 

 (acido-nitrico violaceo - purpurascentibus) ; hypothecium incolor, 

 receptaculo fusco-nigro subtensum. lodo gel. hym. intense et per- 

 sistenter ccerulescens. 



Ad saxa, apud Ben-y-gloe. 



Arete affinis (forte nimiixm) L. Furvellse. 



The stratum beneath the pale hypothecium is composed of large 

 cells intermingled with branching fibres (which, however, prevail 

 more in the lower poi^tion), and is, accordingly, quite unlike the 

 usual exciple. 



Lecidea Braedalbanensis {Sp. Nov.) 



Thallus niger vel fusco-niger tenuis nonnihil I'ugulosus ; apo- 

 thecia nigra vel fusco-nigra parva (latit. -3 — -4 mm.) convexa 

 rugosa immarginata, saepe conglomerata, intus pallida vel potius 

 pallide rufescentia; sporae (4 — 8)n8e incolores ellipsoidese 

 simplices (episporio duplici), -016 — -022 (raro -025) x "Oil — 

 •014 mm., paraphyses hand distinctae conglutinatae apicibus rufo- 

 fuscescentibus : hypothecium pallidum vel lamina tenui, sub lente 

 visum, rufum. lodo gel. hym. intense ccerulescens. 



Supra mnscos et jungermannias, Ben Lawers. 



Affinis L. Tornoensi (Nyl.) 



K. reveals the paraphyses as slender, somewhat irregular, 

 threads. 



