DISCOID FUNGI— DISCOMYCETES 183 



By this means the larger genera have been divided into 

 smaller ones, with analogous external characters, as part of the 

 diagnoses. 



The paraphyses are more highly developed, as a rule, than 

 in the Pyrenomycetes. In many the clavate or swollen ex- 

 tremities contain coloured granular protoplasm, which contri- 

 bute to the colour of the disc. The asci themselves are 

 uncoloured, but the paraphyses being very numerous, and 

 exceeding the asci in length, determine the colour of the 

 hymenial surface. In some few instances it has been 

 suspected, rather than proved, that the paraphyses are capable 

 of bearing conidia. In some genera the paraphyses are acute 

 at the tips and thickened downwards, uncoloured, and extend- 

 ing beyond the asci more than usual, so as to impart a 

 minutely velvety appearance to the disc. In certain genera 

 the asci, when mature, are projected beyond the paraphyses 

 and the surface of the disc, and sometimes are expelled with 

 the sporidia within them. 



It was thought at one time, and perhaps a few faithful 

 votaries still survive, that the application of iodine to the 

 hymenium would be a valuable aid in the discrimination of 

 species. Most practical men have, however, discarded it after 

 trial, upon the conviction that it is not a trustworthy guide. 

 Eeagents may be useful with the denser apothecia of Lichens, 

 but only with such Pezizae as are most nearly allied to Lichens 

 in texture. 



In comparing the sporidia of the discoid Fungi with those 

 of the Pyrenomycetes it will be observed that, even in cases 

 where the sporidia are coloured, they are few in number and 

 not so opaque ; and that as for the form, the most typical in 

 the Discomycetes is the elliptical, and in the Pyrenomycetes 

 the fusiform. The clathrate or muriform spore, not uncommon 

 in Sph&eriacei, is almost unknown in the Pezizei. Successful 

 artificial culture or germination of spores in the Discomycetes 

 has been accomplished in a few genera. 



It seems worse than folly to attribute, as some do, every 

 peculiarity of structure, habit, or coloration to some special 

 purpose, such as protection, attractiveness, etc., without having 

 any basis of fact for their conclusions. There are plenty of 



