THE SPORE AND ITS DISSEMINATION. 183 
subquadrate sporidia. Other species contain linear sporidia, 
which are often the length of the ascus, and may either be simple 
or septate. In Spheria uinaspora the sporidia are abruptly bent 
at the second joint. Shorter fusiform sporidia are by no means 
uncommon, varying in the number of septa, and in constriction 
at the joints in different species. Elliptic or ovate sporidia are 
common, as are those of the peculiar form which may be termed 
sausage-shaped. These are either hyaline or coloured of some 
shade of brown. Coloured sporidia of this kind are common in 
Fic. 68.—Ascus and sporidia Fic. 69.—Sporidium of Fic. 70.—Sporidia of Valsa 
of Hypocrea. Spheria ulnaspora. profusa (Currey). 
Xylaria and Hypoaylon, as well as in certain species of the section 
Superficiales. Coloured sporidia are often large and beautiful : 
they are mostly of an elongated, elliptical form, or fusiform. As 
noteworthy may be mentioned the sporidia of Afelanconis lanci- 
